How to set up myGovID and RAM
Updated: 17 April 2020
The way you access government online services has changed. After 27 March 2020, AUSkey and Manage ABN connections was replaced with the following:
myGovID – an authentication service that allows you to prove who you are online. It is different to your myGov account. It's an app that you download to your phone/smart device. You then prove your identity with Australian identity documents and you're good to go.
Relationship Authorisation Manager (RAM) – RAM is an authorisation service that allows you to act on behalf of a business online when linked with your myGovID. You'll use your myGovID to log in to RAM.
If you're already familiar with Government services here's what you need to do: Ensure your business details are correct on the Australian Business Register (ABR), set up your myGovID, link your ABN to your myGovID in RAM, and then finally you can authorise others to access government online services on behalf of your business.
However, if you are not familiar with Government services, this article will guide you through the detailed steps to correctly set up myGovID and Relationship Authorisation Manager (RAM).
STEP 1 - Update details on ABR
It is crucial that you check to ensure that all of your business details on the ABR are correct and up-to-date. If the details on ABR are not correct, you will not be successful in linking your ABN to your myGovID in RAM.
If you do not already know how to manage and update your details on ABR, please refer to the instructions by clicking here.
STEP 2 - Set up your myGovID app
The myGovID app is compatible with most smart devices. You can download the app from the Apple Store or Google Play. You cannot use this app on your desktop or laptop. You need to use a mobile device such as a phone or tablet.
Search for the myGovID app and download it.
Enter your details – including your full name, date of birth and email address. The email address you use must be exclusively yours. Use the email address that is associated with your existing myGov account.
Add your identity documents – confirm your identity with two of the following identity documents. Your details will be checked against existing government records, so ensure that details such as your middle name(s) are not overlooked.
- Australian driver’s licence
- Australian birth certificate
- Medicare card
- Australian passport
You should now be set up with your new digital identity. Now you’re ready to link your business in RAM.Having difficulties with this step? Read more on the myGovID website.You can phone the myGovID support line on 1300 287 539 (select option 2 for myGovID enquiries) between 8.00am and 6.00pm (AEST), Monday to Friday.
REALLY IMPORTANT: Before moving onto the next step, please ensure that you have updated your business details on the ABR so that they are correct. This step is an absolute must. Any errors that you encounter from this point forward are due to incorrect details on the ABR.
STEP 3 - Link your ABN to your myGovID in RAM
The principal authority of the business must be the person that links the ABN to their myGovID in RAM. The principal authority is a person responsible for the business, such as:
- a sole trader
- an eligible individual associate listed on an Australian business number (ABN) in the Australian Business Register (ABR) – for example a trustee, director, public officer, partner, or an office bearer of a club or association
- a primary person (no individual associates listed in the ABR) who holds one of the following roles, for a:
- company – the director or public officer for the corporate trustee or subsidiary company
- government entity – the authorised contact
- Australian charity or not-for-profit organisation – the director or public officer of the corporate trustee or subsidiary company or the Responsible Person
- deceased estate – the director or public officer of the corporate trustee or subsidiary company
- unincorporated association – the office holder.
If you're a sole trader or eligible individual associate this is what you need to do to link your business in RAM:
- log into RAM using your myGovID. https://authorisationmanager.gov.au/#/login
- select Link my business – you will be redirected to the ATO to find your business or businesses
- add your postal or residential address (as held by the ATO) and click Continue
- select the business or businesses (where you are an eligible individual associate in the ABR) that you wish to link from the list and click Continue
- enter an email address and click Send Email to receive an authorisation code (the email address can be different to the one used to set up your digital identity, for example a work email address). Enter the code and then click Verify and Continue
- view the summary of the selected business or businesses and select the checkbox to declare you understand and accept. Click Submit
- a message will display confirming your business is successfully linked. Click Continue.
If the only listed associate of the business is another entity (i.e. not an individual), you will need to manually link the business by calling the ATO. Phone 1300 287 539 and select option 3.
Once you have completed the linking process yourself as an eligible individual associate or by manually linking by calling the ATO, you're ready to set up authorisations for others.
Having difficulties with this step? Read more on the RAM website. The RAM website has the best support material to help you. This information will continuously be improved as RAM extends to more government online services.
If you still need to speak with someone, you can contact their support line on 1300 287 539 (select option 3 for RAM enquiries) between 8.00am and 6.00pm, Monday to Friday.
STEP 4 - Set-up Authorisations
Now you’re ready to appoint a business representative to be either an Authorisation Administrator or Authorised User. Both types of roles will enable the business representative to act on behalf of the business when using government online services.
The main difference is that an Authorisation Administrator can also manage (create/view/edit/remove) authorisations. In addition, both Authorisation Administrators and Authorised Users can also become Machine Credential Administrators.
Before you authorise someone, you need to ensure they have set up their myGovID and their full legal name matches the name used to set up their myGovID.
How to create a new authorisation:
- Select Manage authorisations.
- Select the business you would like to add an authorisation to.
- Click Add new user.
- You will then complete the following labels:
Representative type – select Standard or Basic user, this is based on the user's myGovID identity strength
Representative details – including the user's name and email address
Authorisation details – select Yes or No if you want the user to become an authorisation administrator or a machine credential administrator (MCA). Enter a start and end date for the authorisation, it cannot be backdated or left blank. Alternatively, select no end date. Note: An end date is required for a Basic user (no longer than 12 months from the authorisation date)
Agency Access – select the level of access (Full, Custom or None). For Basic users, only agencies who accept this level of access will display.
Summary – review details and accept the Declaration
Customise access – if custom access is given you will be redirected to the ATO’s Access Manager to set permissions
When you authorise someone, an authorisation request and code is automatically emailed to the user. The user must accept or decline the authorisation request within seven days or the code will expire and a new request will need to be sent.
If an authorisation code has expired or is not working, the principal authority or authorisation administrator will need to re-issue a code. To do this:
- select Manage authorisations
- select the business name associated with the user
- click View next to the user’s name which will have a pending status
- click Re-issue a code under the authorisation code details
- a confirmation message will appear advising the code has been re-issued, click Continue.
You don't need to authorise Platinum Accounting & Taxation, or any other tax agent, through RAM. Platinum Accounting & Taxation notifies the ATO that we're representing you or your business through our online tax agent services.
If you have any employee that you need to authorise who does not have 2 pieces of Australian ID (licence, passport, Medicare card, birth certificate) then they will need to set up a Basic myGovID. To set up a basic myGovID, the employee will need at least one of the Australian ID requirements. Once it has been set up, they need to make a phone call to the ATO to confirm their proof of identity, then they can be linked to RAM. Please note their access is restricted to 12 months and will need to be renewed every year.
There are restrictions to activities that they will be able to do on the Business Portal.
Having difficulties with this step? Read more on the RAM website. The RAM website has the best support material to help you. This information will continuously be improved as RAM extends to more government online services.
If you still need to speak with someone, you can contact their support line on 1300 287 539 (select option 3 for RAM enquiries) between 8.00am and 6.00pm, Monday to Friday. Remember, Auskey services were retired on 27 March so you now need to set up your myGovID and link your ABN through RAM to maintain your access.
Platinum Accounting & Taxation are always here to help, however it's most likely that you will need to speak with a RAM or myGovID specialist if you have any issues with this process. Contact 1300 287 539 and select option 2 for myGovID enquiries or option 3 for RAM enquiries.
