On 4 September the ATO announced the way you access their online services is changing.

AUSkey will retire in March 2020 as it hasn’t kept up with modern technology. If you’re a sole trader accessing the Business Portal using your myGov details you will also be impacted.

From 1 April 2020, AUSkey and Manage ABN Connections will be replaced with:

• myGovID – the Australian Government’s digital identity provider and a new way to prove your identity online. Establish your identity once and use your myGovID to access government services online
• Relationship Authorisation Manager (RAM) – a new Australian Government authorisation service that allows you to link your myGovID to your ABN and manage who can act on behalf of your business online.

Together, myGovID and RAM provide secure, simple and flexible access to government online services. They are scheduled to replace AUSkey (including Manage ABN Connections) in March 2020.

Access to services is limited at first. You can be one of the first to try myGovID and RAM to access the ATO’s Business Portal.

How to set up myGovID and RAM

To set up your myGovID you’ll need to:

• be at least 13 years old
• have two of the following Australian identity documents (your name must match in all)      
  • passport (not more than three years expired)
  • driver’s licence (including learner permit)
  • Medicare card
• have an iPhone 6 or above (running iOS 10 or later)
• download and install the myGovID app from Apple’s App store (Android coming soon).

To use your myGovID for business matters, for example accessing the Business Portal, you’ll need to link your Australian business number (ABN) to your myGovID using RAM. You’ll need:

• your myGovID to log  into RAM
• to be the principal authority in RAM. The principal authority is the responsible person for the business, the      
  • sole trader
  • eligible individual associate listed on an ABN in the Australian Business Register (ABR)       
    • a director or public officer of a company
    • a partner of a partnership
    • a trustee of a trust
    • an office bearer of a club or association.

If your ABN details aren’t up-to-date, you can update details online via the ABR using your AUSkey or Manage ABN connections.  We can also update details for you.

In future, businesses with non-individual associates, such as trustee companies, will also use RAM.

Once the principal authority has been linked to the ABN, they can then authorise others to act online for the business.

Not ready to start

If you are not ready to try myGovID and RAM, you can continue using your AUSkey until its retirement in March 2020. If you would like assistance transferring to the new system please call Matt McTighe of our office on 3831 1055 and he can step you through the process