myGov & Government Services Setup

Essential guide for international students in Australia

🚨 CRITICAL: myGov is your gateway to ALL government services in Australia - Tax File Number (TFN), Medicare, tax returns, Centrelink, and more. Set this up in your first week. You cannot function properly in Australia without it.

What is myGov?

myGov is a single login portal that gives you access to all Australian government services in one place. Think of it as your "government hub" where you manage everything from taxes to healthcare.

✅ What You Can Do:

  • • Apply for Tax File Number (TFN)
  • • Lodge tax returns and track refunds
  • • Access Medicare (if eligible)
  • • Apply for Centrelink payments
  • • Check visa status (ImmiAccount link)
  • • Update personal details in one place

💰 You'll Need It For:

  • • Getting a Tax File Number (TFN)
  • • Working legally (avoid 47% tax)
  • • Getting tax refunds (end of year)
  • • Accessing Medicare (healthcare)
  • • Government ID verification
  • • Proving residency for services

Step-by-Step: Create Your myGov Account

1

Go to myGov Website

Start the registration process

Go to myGov

Click "Create an account"

2

Enter Your Email

Use an email you'll have long-term

⚠️ Important: Use a personal email (Gmail, Outlook) that you'll keep after university. Don't use your university email - you'll lose access after graduation!

3

Verify Your Email

Check inbox and click verification link

  • • Check your inbox (and spam folder)
  • • Click the verification link
  • • Link expires in 48 hours
4

Create Username & Password

Make it secure but memorable

Password Requirements:

  • • At least 8 characters
  • • Mix of uppercase, lowercase, numbers
  • • At least one special character (!, @, #, etc.)
  • • Can't be same as username
5

Set Up Security Questions

For account recovery

Choose questions and answers you'll remember:

💡 Tip: Write down your security answers somewhere safe (encrypted notes app or password manager). You'll need these if you forget your password.

6

Add Your Mobile Number

For two-factor authentication (2FA)

  • • Enter your Australian mobile number
  • • Receive SMS verification code
  • • Enter code to verify

⚠️ Keep this number active: If you change phone numbers, update it in myGov settings immediately. You need it to log in!

✓

Account Created! 🎉

Now link your services

Link Services to Your myGov Account

After creating your account, you need to link government services. Here are the essential ones for students:

Australian Taxation Office (ATO)

For Tax File Number (TFN) and tax returns

🎯 Priority: CRITICAL - Link this first! You need it to apply for TFN.

How to Link:

  1. 1. Log in to myGov
  2. 2. Click "Link a service"
  3. 3. Select "Australian Taxation Office"
  4. 4. Choose linking method: "Link using personal details"
  5. 5. Enter your details exactly as on your passport
  6. 6. If you don't have TFN yet, select "I don't have a TFN"

✅ Once linked: You can apply for TFN online immediately! Use ourTFN Application Tool.

Medicare

For healthcare and medical services

⚠️ Eligibility: Only students from countries with reciprocal healthcare agreements can get Medicare. Check if your country qualifies: Belgium, Finland, Italy, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Ireland, Slovenia, Sweden, UK.

How to Link:

  1. 1. Get your Medicare card first (apply at Services Australia)
  2. 2. Log in to myGov
  3. 3. Click "Link a service"
  4. 4. Select "Medicare"
  5. 5. Enter Medicare card number, name, and reference number
  6. 6. Verify with date of birth

💡 Not eligible for Medicare? You must have OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover) instead. See our Health Insurance Guide.

Centrelink

For government payments and support

⚠️ Note: Most international students are NOT eligible for Centrelink payments due to visa restrictions. However, you might need it later if your circumstances change (e.g., get PR, or for partner/family claims).

How to Link (if needed):

  1. 1. Log in to myGov
  2. 2. Click "Link a service"
  3. 3. Select "Centrelink"
  4. 4. Choose "I don't have a CRN" (Customer Reference Number)
  5. 5. Enter personal details to create CRN

Set Up myGovID (Digital Identity)

myGovID is a separate app that creates a digital identity you can use to verify yourself for government and private services. It's different from myGov but works together with it.

✅ Why Set This Up: Makes logging into myGov easier, verify identity for banks, apply for services online, and avoid carrying physical documents everywhere.

How to Set Up myGovID:

  1. 1. Download the app: Search "myGovID" on App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android)
  2. 2. Create your digital identity: Follow the app prompts
  3. 3. Choose identity strength:
    • • Basic: Email verification only (lowest security)
    • • Standard: Passport scan + selfie (recommended for students)
    • • Strong: Requires Australian driver's licence or other local ID
  4. 4. Link to myGov: In myGov settings, add myGovID as login method

💡 Pro Tip: Create at least Standard identity strength. It unlocks more services and is accepted by banks, Australia Post, and other businesses for identity verification.

Learn More About myGovID

Security & Safety Tips

🚨 Critical Security Rules:

  • • NEVER share your myGov login with anyone - not friends, not agents, not employers
  • • NEVER give your password over phone/email - government will NEVER ask for it
  • • Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) - use SMS or myGovID app
  • • Use a strong, unique password - don't reuse passwords from other sites
  • • Beware of scams: Government emails come from @my.gov.au or @servicesaustralia.gov.au only

⚠️ Common Scams to Watch Out For:

  • • Emails/SMS claiming you owe ATO money (always check myGov directly)
  • • Calls saying your visa is cancelled unless you pay immediately
  • • Requests to "verify your identity" by sharing login details
  • • Fake tax refund emails with links to fake myGov login pages

If in doubt: Go directly to my.gov.au (type it yourself, don't click links) and log in there.

💡 Best Practices:

  • • Update your mobile number immediately if you change SIM cards
  • • Log out after using myGov on public/shared computers
  • • Check your myGov inbox regularly for official messages
  • • Save myGov's official URLs in bookmarks to avoid phishing sites
  • • Use password manager to store credentials securely

Your First Week Checklist

Common Issues & Solutions

❓ Can't link ATO because "details don't match"

Solution: Enter your name EXACTLY as it appears on your passport. If you have middle names, include them. Try with and without middle name if it doesn't work.

❓ Forgot myGov password

Solution: Click "Forgot password" on login page. You'll need your username, email, and security question answers. If you can't remember, call myGov helpdesk: 132 307.

❓ Lost access to phone number (can't get SMS code)

Solution: Use myGovID app for login if set up. Otherwise, call myGov helpdesk: 132 307 with ID ready to verify identity and update mobile number.

❓ Can't create myGovID (passport scan fails)

Solution: Ensure good lighting, hold phone steady, passport is valid and not damaged. Try different times of day. If keeps failing, start with Basic identity and upgrade later.

❓ TFN application rejected/delayed

Solution: Make sure visa is valid and entered correctly. Processing takes 28 days. If urgent, visit Services Australia in person with passport and visa.

📞 myGov Helpline: 132 307 (Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm local time)
📞 ATO Helpline: 13 28 61 (for TFN issues)
📞 Services Australia: 132 307 (for Medicare/Centrelink)

myGov Set Up? Apply for TFN Next! 🎯

With myGov and ATO linked, you can now apply for your Tax File Number in just 10 minutes.

Apply for TFN Now →

Related Guides

→ Apply for Tax File Number→ Get Photo ID & Proof of Age→ Settling In Australia