What Is Digital ID in Australia?
Australia's Digital ID is a secure, government-backed way to verify your identity online without needing to present physical documents every time you access a service. Instead of re-proving who you are each time you interact with a new government agency, your Digital ID provides a verified, reusable digital credential.
The Australian Government's Digital Identity System is built around the myID app (formerly known as myGovID), developed by the Australian Taxation Office. It is part of a broader trusted digital identity framework that connects to the Australia Post Digital iD and other accredited providers.
Why Was Digital ID Introduced?
The push towards a national digital identity system addresses several key challenges:
- Security: Reduces the need to share sensitive documents (like passports) repeatedly across different services.
- Convenience: One verified identity credential can be used across multiple services.
- Privacy: You control what information is shared, and your data is not stored by the services you access.
- Fraud reduction: Strong identity verification helps prevent identity theft and welfare fraud.
myID: The Government's Digital ID App
myID (available on iOS and Android) is the primary Digital ID app for accessing Australian Government services. It is required for tax agents, business owners, and individuals accessing certain ATO services, and it is increasingly being adopted across other government portals.
Levels of Identity Strength
myID has three strength levels, each requiring different documents to verify:
| Strength Level | Documents Required | What It Unlocks |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | Email address and phone number only | Limited services |
| Standard | One Australian identity document (e.g. driver's licence or Medicare card) | Most personal tax and government services |
| Strong | Australian passport + face verification | High-security services including business and tax agent access |
How to Set Up myID: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Download the myID App
Search for "myID" in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and install the official app from the Australian Taxation Office.
Step 2: Enter Your Details
Open the app and enter your full name, date of birth, and email address. These must match the details on your identity documents exactly.
Step 3: Verify Your Email
A verification code will be sent to your email. Enter it in the app to confirm your email address.
Step 4: Add Identity Documents
To achieve Standard or Strong strength, add identity documents using the app's document scanner. Accepted documents include:
- Australian passport
- Driver's licence or learner permit (from any Australian state or territory)
- Medicare card
- Birth certificate
- Citizenship certificate
- ImmiCard
The app verifies these documents electronically against government records — it does not store copies of the documents.
Step 5: Face Verification (Strong Strength)
To reach Strong identity strength, you'll be asked to take a selfie within the app. This is compared against the photo on your passport using secure facial recognition technology provided through the Australian Government's document verification service.
Which Services Accept myID?
myID can currently be used to log in to:
- ATO Online Services for Individuals and Businesses
- Online Services for Agents (tax and BAS agents)
- Australian Business Registry Services (ABRS)
- Select Department of Home Affairs services
- A growing number of state government services
Is myID Mandatory?
For most individuals, myID is currently optional — you can still access many services via your myGov username and password. However, for business owners, tax agents, and those managing company registrations, myID is increasingly required. Over time, the government plans to expand Digital ID use across more services as the framework matures.
Protecting Your Digital Identity
- Only install myID from official app stores — avoid third-party sources.
- Enable biometric login (face or fingerprint) on your device for an extra layer of protection.
- If your device is lost or stolen, revoke your myID immediately via the ATO website.
- Never share your myID login credentials with anyone.