Jul 26, 2018  | Tags: myGov, Centrelink

Our Insights

Gone are the days when you’d have to wait in long lines for assistance from government services, or when you’d have to have a dozen different online accounts. Nowadays, you can have it all at the touch of one button and in one account – myGov.

The myGov initiative was to consolidate access to important government services by giving you one universal account as a gateway to access such information. The great news is it is easy to get started.

How to create a myGov account 

• Go to my.gov.au and select ‘Create an account’
• Read the terms of use and select ‘I agree’
• Enter your email address
• You will be emailed a confirmation code, which you then need to enter into your account application
• Add in your mobile number (you can skip this step, however it’s recommended as it can increase the security of your account)
• You will be texted a code – enter this into your account application
• Create a password
• Choose and answer three secret questions that are easy for you to answer and have answers you are unlikely to forget
• You now have successfully created your account and will be supplied with your username/s to log in and set up your inbox.

What’s your myGov ‘inbox?’

Your inbox acts as a central place to receive statements, messages and letters. It’s also a convenient way to advise government services about changes to some of your personal details. 

The services you can link to your myGov account

• Australian Taxation Office
• Centrelink
• Medicare
• Australian JobSearch
• Child support
• My Health Record
• My Aged Care
• National Disability Insurance Scheme
• Department of Veterans’ Affairs
• Victorian Housing Register Application

Not sure how to link your first service to your myGov account? Follow these steps.

What can I use MyGov for?

A few of the common functions you can use myGov for include submitting Medicare claims, applying for Centrelink payments, lodging your tax return and recovering lost super. Here’s some of the most popular uses of myGov.

Tax returns

Nowadays, you need a myGov account to lodge your tax return. MyGov makes lodging your tax return online secure, quick and easy and it has many benefits over lodging a physical return. MyGov is available 24/7 so you can lodge at your convenience. It also includes pre-filled information from banks, super funds and employers, plus you’re more than likely to get your refund faster.

Medicare rebates

If your health care professional doesn’t offer instant Medicare claim facilities (commonly known as HICAPS), you can easily submit your claim using your Medicare online account through myGov.

Manage your Centrelink

For current or new Centrelink recipients, you are able to apply for Centrelink payments and or manage your existing Centrelink details. The details of your Centrelink payments are automatically saved and pre-filled, which come tax time saves you from having to collate the information yourself.

Check your super

Once it’s linked to the ATO, you’re also able to check your super balance through your myGov account. Your account then regularly checks with your fund to see how much super you’ve got and updates its records accordingly.

Using the myGov Access app

Making myGov even easier is the myGov Access app – a secure app that quickly and easily gives you access to sign in to your myGov account.

MyGov Access is a free app available from the App Store and Google Play.

Need a hand?

It is time to get your financial situation in order! Talk to Calder Wealth Management.

Call us on (08) 8373 3333 to schedule your free initial appointment.

Written by Anthony Hill, Private Client Adviser at Calder Wealth Management.