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The way you access government online services is changing. After 27 March 2020, AUSkey and Manage ABN connections will be replaced with:
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.
So what do you need to do to get ready?
If you're familiar with Government services and just want a quick overview, 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.
If you're not a Governmental robot, the steps are outlined in more detail below. We recommend keeping this blog open in a tab, then just opening any other relevant links in a new tab.
STEP 1 - Update details on ABR
First of all, you must make sure that all of your business details on the ABR are correct and up-to-date. This is crucial for the successful linking of your ABN to your myGovID in RAM.
You likely know how to do this already, but for instructions on how to update your details click 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 phone or a tablet.
Download the myGovID app. It looks like this:
2 stars for a reason? I'll let you be the judge!
Enter your details – including your full name, date of birth and email address. The email address you use must only belong to you. Use the email address that is associated with your existing myGov account.
Add your identity documents – prove who you are with two of the following identity documents. Your details are checked against existing government records.
• Australian driver’s licence
• Australian birth certificate
• Medicare card
• Australian passport
Congratulations - you've set up your new digital identity. You're now 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.
Just to double check, have you updated your business details on the ABR so they're correct?? I've said it once and I'll say it again, this is SO IMPORTANT. I even wrote it in caps so you know just how important it is.
Done? Okay... you're ready for the next step.
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.
Is this you? Great.
Not you? Send them this article and tell them they have until 27 March to sort it out!
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
Congratulations, you're now 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 back dated 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 Verve Group or any other tax agent through RAM. Verve Group notifies the ATO that we're working on your behalf through our online 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 will be retired on 27 March so it's best that you set up your myGovID and link your ABN through RAM as soon as possible.
Verve Group 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.