When AUSkey and Manage ABN Connections retire at the end of March 2020, individuals will need to be digitally verified to access government online services. This includes the principal authority of a business and those who they wish to authorise to act on behalf of their business online.

This means that someone who is listed on the ABR as an associate of the business (e.g. director or public officer) will need to set up a myGovID, to be able to authorise others using RAM.

If that associate wants to delegate this authority and the task of managing authorisations for their business, they must first authorise at least one other person as an authorisation administrator.

myGovID and RAM will be progressively rolled out to existing government agency services where AUSkey is used to log in. The timing of this will depend on the agency service you are accessing as each agency will make this option available at different times. There may be a period of time where you use your existing AUSkey for some services and myGovID and RAM for others.

AUSkey will be retired at the end of March 2020 as it has limitations for users and has not kept pace with technology changes.

Together, myGovID and RAM provide secure, simple and flexible access to government online services.  

Currently, myGovID is the only authentication credential you can use to access RAM. In future, RAM may accept other credentials which will also need to be accredited under the Trusted Digital Identity Framework.

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 us, you can contact our support line on 1300 287 539 (select option 3 for RAM enquiries) between 8.00am and 6.00pm, Monday to Friday.

If you receive an error saying that your details cannot be matched, compare the details used with your personal ATO record:

• name
• date of birth
• address.

The address you use must be your personal address (not the business address) held by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).

To check and update your ATO record, go to Update your details.

If your ATO details are correct, you may need to check and update the details you used to set up your myGovID.

If you are removed as a registered associate of a business in the Australian Business Register (ABR), you will no longer have access to this business in RAM.

When you log in to RAM you will not see the business listed in your authorised businesses.

If you still need access, a current principal authority or authorisation administrator can set you up as an authorised user.

If a business listed is:

• no longer operating, you will need to cancel the Australian business number (ABN)
• still operating but you are no longer the associate, you will need to update the details on the ABR.

You can update your details on the ABR using your Administrator AUSkey or myGovID.

If you’re unable to do this, phone the ATO on 13 28 66 for assistance in updating your details.

You can be linked with up to 499 ABNs in RAM. Select up to 60 ABNs at a time when using Link my business. To link more ABNs, repeat the process. Future releases may allow for more than 60 businesses to display.

If you have more than 499 ABN’s on the ABR you are unable to use RAM at this time.

To use Link my business you must be listed as an eligible individual associate on an ABN in the the Australian Business Register (ABR).

Additional functions in RAM to support other associate types will be available in future. For example, if the business has a non-individual recorded as an associate, such as a trustee company. For more information see How do I get set up?

You may be unable to achieve a ‘Standard’ identity strength if you’re:

• an offshore employee
• a non-resident working in Australia
• an Australian without the right documentation.

Depending on the government agency you're dealing with you may be able to setup a ‘Basic’ identity to access online services. In these cases you will need to be authorised in RAM by an administrator in the business who has a ‘Standard’ identity.

This functionality is coming in December 2019 for participating government services. Some agencies may require additional identity proofing.

When authorising other individuals to act on behalf of your business in RAM, you do not need to use a personal email address or the one that was used when establishing their myGovID. This email address will be used to send their authorisation request to so if you elect to use a different or non-personal email, you should ensure it's accessible to the person you are authorising.

There is no limit to the number of authorised users or administrators you can have for your business or entity.

However, if you are using the Import AUSkey function you can only import up to 100 AUSkey users at a time.

Contact an authorisation administrator to re-issue a new authorisation if your code has expired or isn't working.

The code is case sensitive and must be entered exactly as displayed in the email you receive.

You have five attempts to enter your authorisation code. After five incorrect attempts, you'll be locked out for two hours before you can try again.

If you continue to experience issues entering your code, contact the principal authority or authorisation administrator to re-issue a new code.

If you have any issues accepting an authorisation, contact your principal authority or authorisation administrator. Ensure the name used for the authorisation matches your full legal name used to set up your digital identity.

To have your existing AUSkey details and permissions (as granted in the ATO’s Access Manager) transferred to RAM, your principal authority or authorisation administrator can use the Import AUSkey users function. 

You’ll still need a myGovID to log in to RAM and accept or decline the request.

You can only have one authorisation for each business you are acting on behalf of. If you have an existing authorisation and accept a new authorisation request for the same business, this will override your existing authorisation.

You can only have one authorisation for each business you are acting on behalf of. If you have an existing authorisation and accept a new authorisation request for the same business, this will override your existing authorisation.

Setting up your myGovID on multiple devices does not affect the authorisations you have been assigned in RAM.

Yes. A principal authority or authorisation administrator can change an individual’s level of access for a business via RAM. See Manage authorisations for more information on how to edit or remove access for an authorised user.   

No. The 'Import AUSkey user' function has been developed to support you to make the move from AUSkey to myGovID and RAM easier. We encourage you to use this function before AUSkey is retired at the end of March 2020.

RAM with a digital identity, such as myGovID, is secure and ensures only you and authorised users can access a government online service and transact for the business.

However, if you suspect someone has inappropriately accessed your business details in RAM, you need to report this immediately. Contact our support line on 1300 287 539 (select option 3 for RAM enquiries) between 8.00am and 6.00pm, Monday to Friday.

You should also review and remove any authorisations of concern, go to Manage authorisations to find out how.

International callers can contact the ATO by phoning + 61 2 6216 1111 (switchboard) between 8.00am to 5.00pm AEST and request for your call to be transferred to the RAM support line.

For more information about the security of RAM and tips for staying safe online see How secure is it?

No, your digital identity (such as myGovID) belongs to you and should not be shared with others.

See Security for more information.

We have been working with software providers on what they need to do to transition. While your provider needs to make some changes, there will be no impact on you as a user if you are using cloud based business software.

No, the machine credential administrator (MCA) role is only required if the person will be creating and managing machine credentials. An authorisation is not required for someone to use a machine credential.

myGovID and Relationship Authorisation Manager will replace AUSkey at the end of March 2020. A new Machine to Machine (M2M) authentication solution will replace the Device AUSkey credential used in software. For more information visit Getting read for AUSkey decommissioning on the Software Developers website or ask an M2M question in the ATO's Online services for DSPs.