Centrelink
Manage your Centrelink payments, update your income and assets, submit job seeker requirements and view correspondence — all through myGov.
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💻 Comprehensive MyGov Guide
MyGov Australia Guide: Accounts, Login, Services & Online Access
Independent information on Australia's online government services portal — covering how to create a MyGov account, link Centrelink, Medicare and the ATO, fix login problems, recover your account and manage your government services securely online.
Independence Notice: PublicAccess.au is an independent information website and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by MyGov, Services Australia, or any Australian Government agency.
Independent Information
This page provides independent educational information about MyGov. For official MyGov account access, services and support, always use official Australian Government websites.
Australia's Government Services Portal
What Is MyGov?
myGov is the Australian Government's secure online portal that provides Australians with a single, centralised point of access to a range of government services. Instead of maintaining separate accounts and credentials for Centrelink, Medicare, the Australian Taxation Office and other agencies, eligible users can manage all of these services through a single myGov login.
Operated by Services Australia, myGov was established to simplify how Australians interact with government online. The platform uses secure digital identity verification — including multi-factor authentication — to protect the personal information of millions of Australians who use it each year to manage welfare payments, healthcare benefits, tax affairs, child support and more.
Creating a myGov account is free. Once your account is created and you have linked the relevant government services, you can complete a wide range of tasks online that would previously have required a phone call or an in-person visit to a government service centre. This includes lodging tax returns, viewing Medicare claim history, updating Centrelink payment details, managing child support arrangements and accessing digital copies of important government documents.
The myGov platform has expanded significantly in recent years and continues to evolve. A newer version — myGov Beta — has introduced an improved interface, document sharing capabilities and an expanded range of services. Australians are encouraged to check what services are currently available through myGov on the official myGov website.
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Single Secure Login
One username and password provides access to multiple Australian Government services without managing separate credentials for each agency.
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Multiple Government Services
Link and manage Centrelink, Medicare, the ATO, Child Support, Workforce Australia and other services from one central dashboard.
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Mobile & Desktop Access
myGov is accessible from any device — desktop computer, smartphone or tablet — through a web browser or the myGov app.
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Secure Digital Identity
myGov uses multi-factor authentication and robust security measures to protect your personal information and account access.
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Digital Document Access
Access and download government correspondence, tax assessments, Medicare statements and Centrelink letters digitally.
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Update Details in One Place
Change your address, phone number or other personal details once in myGov and it can update across all linked government services.
Connected Government Services
Services You Can Access Through MyGov
MyGov acts as a central hub connecting you to a range of Australian Government agencies and services.
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Medicare
View Medicare claim history, update your bank account for benefit deposits, access your digital Medicare card and manage family members' Medicare details.
Learn More -
Australian Taxation Office (ATO)
Lodge your tax return, check your tax account balance, access PAYG payment summaries, update bank details for ATO refunds and manage your tax file number.
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Child Support
Manage child support arrangements, view payment history and update child support agreements through your linked myGov account.
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Workforce Australia
Access employment services, manage mutual obligation requirements, find jobs and view your points-based activation system details for JobSeeker recipients.
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Australian Business Services
Access Australian Business Register services and manage business-related government interactions. ABN and business registrations are managed separately through the ABR.
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Account Setup Guide
How to Create a MyGov Account
Setting up a myGov account is free and takes just a few minutes. Here is a step-by-step overview of the process.
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Visit the myGov Website
Go to the official myGov website at my.gov.au using a secure device and browser. Ensure you are on the genuine government website — the URL will begin with https://my.gov.au. PublicAccess.au cannot create a myGov account on your behalf.
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Select "Create an account"
On the myGov sign in page, select the option to create a new account. You will need to agree to the terms of use and privacy collection notice before proceeding.
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Verify Your Email Address
Enter a current email address that only you have access to. myGov will send a verification code to that email address. Enter the code on the myGov website to verify your email. This email address will become your myGov username.
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Create a Secure Password
Choose a strong, unique password for your myGov account. A strong password should be at least eight characters long and include a combination of letters, numbers and special characters. Avoid using passwords you use for other websites.
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Set Up Extra Security Options
myGov will prompt you to set up additional security options, including a secret question and answer. You are also strongly encouraged to enable multi-factor authentication (a verification code sent to your phone or email) to significantly increase the security of your account.
Important: Always create your myGov account directly through the official website at my.gov.au. Be alert to phishing websites that impersonate myGov — the Australian Government will never ask for your myGov credentials via unsolicited email or SMS.
Connecting Your Services
How to Link Services to MyGov
Linking government services to your myGov account allows you to manage them from a single dashboard. Each service requires identity verification using information held by that agency.
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Link Centrelink
To link Centrelink, you can use your Centrelink Customer Reference Number (CRN) and some details from a recent letter or payment. Alternatively, you can visit a service centre in person.
- Centrelink CRN required
- Recent letter or payment details
- Or visit a service centre
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Link Medicare
To link Medicare, you will need your Medicare card number, your individual reference number (IRN) from the card, and the expiry date. A recent claim date may also be required.
- Medicare card number
- Individual Reference Number (IRN)
- Medicare card expiry date
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Link the ATO
To link the Australian Taxation Office, you will need your Tax File Number and some details from a previous tax return or ATO notice of assessment.
- Tax File Number (TFN)
- Previous tax return details
- ATO notice of assessment
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Link Child Support
To link Child Support, you will need your Child Support customer reference number and personal details that match the records held by Services Australia.
- Child Support customer reference
- Personal identity details
- Services Australia records match
If you are unable to link a service online, you can visit a Services Australia service centre in person with identification documents to complete the linking process.
Full Linking Guide
Troubleshooting
MyGov Login Help
Having trouble signing in to myGov? Here are answers to the most common login problems, with practical steps to help you regain access.
If you have forgotten your myGov password, select the "Forgot your password?" link on the myGov sign in page. You will be asked to verify your identity using your myGov email address and a code sent to your email or phone. Once verified, you can create a new password. Make sure your email inbox is accessible and check your spam folder for the reset email. See our MyGov Login guide for detailed steps.
Your myGov username is the email address you used when creating your account. If you no longer have access to that email address, you may need to recover your account by answering your secret questions or by visiting a Services Australia service centre in person with identity documents. See our MyGov Account Recovery guide.
If you are not receiving your verification code via SMS or email, first check that your registered mobile number and email address are correct in your myGov account settings. Check your spam or junk folder for email codes. If you have changed your phone number and can no longer receive SMS codes, you will likely need to contact Services Australia or visit a service centre in person to update your details and regain access.
MyGov accounts can be temporarily locked after a number of unsuccessful login attempts as a security measure. If your account is locked, wait for the lockout period to expire (typically 24 hours) before attempting to log in again. If your account remains locked or you suspect it has been compromised, contact Services Australia immediately for assistance.
If you are not receiving a verification code, first check your spam or junk folder if using email. If using SMS, confirm that your mobile number in myGov is correct and that you have mobile signal. Verification codes expire quickly, so ensure you enter the code promptly after receiving it. If problems persist, try switching to email-based codes if you have that option enabled, or contact Services Australia for support.
If you no longer have access to the email address registered to your myGov account, account recovery becomes more complex. You will generally need to contact Services Australia directly and verify your identity through an alternative process, which may include answering security questions or attending a service centre in person. This is why it is important to keep your myGov contact details current.
Regain Access
MyGov Account Recovery
How to Recover Your MyGov Account
If you have lost access to your myGov account — whether because you have forgotten your password, lost access to your registered email address, or cannot complete the two-factor authentication process — there are several paths to recovery, depending on your situation.
Password Reset: If you know your email address and still have access to it, use the "Forgot your password?" option on the myGov sign-in page to receive a reset link or code.
Updating Your Email Address: If you can still log in but need to change your registered email address, do so through your myGov account settings. Changing your email requires you to verify access to both the old and new email addresses.
Identity Verification: In cases where you cannot complete the standard recovery process online, you may need to visit a Services Australia service centre in person with valid identification to verify your identity and regain access. Staff can assist in resetting account credentials securely.
Suspected Account Compromise: If you believe your myGov account has been accessed by someone else without your permission, contact Services Australia immediately to report the issue and secure your account.
Full Account Recovery Guide
Free Tools
Popular MyGov Tools
Use our free independent tools to help you set up, manage and troubleshoot your myGov account and linked services.
Help & Troubleshooting
Common MyGov Problems
If you are experiencing issues with your myGov account, here is practical guidance on the most common problems.
Cannot Sign In
If you cannot sign in to myGov, check that you are using the correct email address and password. Clear your browser cache and cookies, try a different browser, or disable browser extensions that may be interfering. If you have recently changed your email address or password, use the updated credentials.
Verification Code Not Received
If verification codes are not arriving via email, check your spam or junk folder immediately — codes expire quickly. For SMS codes, verify that your mobile number in myGov is current. Network delays can sometimes affect SMS delivery. Try requesting a new code after waiting a few minutes.
Linked Service Errors
If a linked service is not loading or showing an error, try logging out of myGov and back in. If a specific service such as Centrelink or Medicare is showing an error, the issue may be with that agency's system rather than myGov itself. Check the Services Australia website for any outage notices.
Account Suspended
MyGov may suspend accounts for security reasons, including suspicious activity or repeated failed login attempts. If your account has been suspended, contact Services Australia directly for assistance. Do not attempt to create a duplicate account, as this may cause further complications.
Incorrect Personal Information
If your personal details in myGov are incorrect, update them through your account settings. For details that affect linked services (such as your name or date of birth), you may also need to update the records held by each individual agency — such as Centrelink or the ATO — separately.
Identity Verification Problems
myGov and linked services use identity verification to protect your account. If you are unable to pass the online identity verification process, you may need to visit a Services Australia service centre in person with current photo identification and proof of your identity.
Account Security
Security Tips for MyGov Users
Your myGov account provides access to sensitive personal and financial information. Keeping it secure should be a priority.
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Use a Strong, Unique Password
Create a long, complex password for your myGov account that you do not use on any other website. Consider using a trusted password manager to generate and store secure passwords.
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Enable Multi-Factor Authentication
Turn on multi-factor authentication (MFA) so that signing in requires both your password and a verification code sent to your phone or email. This significantly reduces the risk of unauthorised access.
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Secure Your Registered Email
Your myGov username is your email address, so the security of your email account is critical. Use a strong, unique password for your email and enable two-factor authentication on your email provider as well.
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Be Alert to MyGov Scams
The Australian Government will never send you unsolicited emails or text messages asking for your myGov credentials. Be suspicious of any message asking you to click a link and log in to myGov — it may be a phishing attempt.
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Use Secure Devices and Networks
Only access myGov from your own device on a trusted network. Avoid logging in on public computers, shared devices or public Wi-Fi networks, as these can expose your credentials to interception.
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Monitor Your Account Activity
Regularly review your myGov account settings, linked services and correspondence to detect any unexpected changes or activity. If anything looks unfamiliar, contact Services Australia immediately.
🚨 Scam Warning: Scammers frequently impersonate myGov and Services Australia through fake emails, text messages and websites. If you receive an unexpected message about your myGov account, do not click any links. Instead, go directly to my.gov.au by typing the address into your browser. Report suspected scams to Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Questions About MyGov
Answers to the questions Australians most often ask about the myGov platform.
myGov is Australia's secure online government portal, operated by Services Australia. It provides a single login point for Australians to access multiple government services — including Centrelink, Medicare, the ATO, Child Support and Workforce Australia — from one place.
Yes. Creating a myGov account and using the platform is completely free. There is no charge for signing up, linking services or managing your account online. Standard data charges from your internet provider may apply when accessing myGov on a mobile device.
To create a myGov account, visit the official website at my.gov.au and select "Create an account". You will need a current email address, which becomes your username. After verifying your email, you set a password and optional security questions. The whole process typically takes under ten minutes.
To link Centrelink, log in to your myGov account, select "Link a service" from your dashboard and choose Centrelink. You will need your Centrelink Customer Reference Number (CRN) and some personal details to verify your identity. See our Link Centrelink to MyGov guide.
To link Medicare, log in to myGov and select "Link a service", then choose Medicare. You will need your Medicare card number, your Individual Reference Number (IRN) from the front of your card, and the card expiry date. See our Link Medicare to MyGov guide.
On the myGov sign in page, select "Forgot your password?" and follow the prompts. You will need access to your registered email address to receive a verification code. Once verified, you can set a new password. If you cannot access your email, you may need to contact Services Australia or visit a service centre.
Check your spam or junk folder for email codes — they can sometimes be filtered. For SMS codes, verify your mobile number is current in myGov settings. Codes expire quickly, so request a new one if needed. If problems continue, contact Services Australia for help.
myGov can generally be accessed from overseas using an internet connection. However, some features — particularly those requiring SMS verification — may not function correctly with an international mobile number. You may need to switch to email-based verification codes if you are overseas for an extended period.
myGov uses industry-standard security measures including encryption, multi-factor authentication and secure session management to protect your account and personal information. You can further increase your account security by using a strong unique password and enabling multi-factor authentication.
If you have lost access to your myGov account, use the password reset function if you can still access your registered email. If you cannot access your email, contact Services Australia directly — you may need to answer security questions or visit a service centre in person. See our MyGov Account Recovery guide for full details.
Explore More
Related Services
MyGov connects you to a wide range of Australian Government services. Explore our independent guides to each.
Official Sources
Official Government Resources
For official myGov account access, government services and support, always use official Australian Government websites. The links below open in a new tab.
Always access myGov by typing my.gov.au directly into your browser. Never click links in unsolicited emails or text messages claiming to be from myGov or Services Australia.
Why PublicAccess.au
Why Use PublicAccess.au for MyGov Information
Australians use PublicAccess.au to find clear, independent and easy-to-understand information about myGov and government services.
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Independent Information
We are not affiliated with any government agency. Our content is produced independently using publicly available official sources, without any government direction or influence.
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Easy-to-Understand Guides
We explain myGov in plain English — no jargon. Each guide breaks down account setup, linking services and troubleshooting into simple, numbered steps.
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Regularly Updated Content
Our myGov guides are actively reviewed and updated to reflect changes to the platform, new features, and updated security requirements.
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Helpful Tools
Our free checklists and tools — including the MyGov Account Setup Checklist and Login Problem Solver — help you prepare before contacting Services Australia.
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Step-by-Step Instructions
From creating an account to linking all your services and recovering access, our guides walk you through every step with clear instructions.
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Official Source References
We always reference and link to official Australian Government resources, so you can verify information directly with the relevant authority.
Summary
Understanding MyGov in Australia
myGov is one of the most important digital tools available to Australians, providing a single, secure gateway to a range of government services that most Australians need at various points in their lives. Whether you are claiming a Centrelink payment, checking your Medicare claim history, lodging a tax return with the ATO or managing child support arrangements, myGov brings all of these services together under one login.
Understanding how to create your myGov account correctly, how to link the services you need, how to protect your account with multi-factor authentication and how to recover access when something goes wrong puts you in control of your government services — and helps you avoid the frustration of being locked out when you need access most.
PublicAccess.au is here to help Australians navigate myGov clearly and confidently. Our guides cover every stage — from login help and account recovery to step-by-step instructions for linking Centrelink, Medicare and the ATO. We also offer a range of free tools and checklists to help you prepare.
For official myGov account access, please always use the official portal at my.gov.au.
Disclaimer
PublicAccess.au provides independent informational content only and does not provide government services, official account access, legal advice, migration advice, taxation advice, healthcare advice, or financial advice. All content is for general educational and informational purposes only. Always verify important information through official Australian Government resources, including myGov and Services Australia. PublicAccess.au is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by myGov, Services Australia, the ATO, Medicare, Centrelink, or any Australian Government agency.