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The short answer
myGov is the single sign-in for Australian government services. Create the account, then link each service you are eligible for: the ATO first, so you can lodge with myTax once you have a tax file number, then Medicare if you are eligible, and Centrelink if you claim payments. Each service asks you to prove who you are when you link it.
In Nigeria, government services each have their own portal: NIMC for identity, NIS for passports, the NRS for tax. Australia gathers many of them behind one login, myGov. For a new arrival it is where your tax return is lodged, where Medicare claims and letters appear, and where Centrelink business is done. Setting it up in your first fortnight saves chasing paper letters later.
What each linked service is for
| Service | What you use it for | When to link |
|---|---|---|
| ATO | Tax return through myTax, tax records, super details | Once you have your TFN |
| Medicare | Enrolment details, claims, letters | If you are eligible and enrolled |
| Centrelink | Payments and concession cards | When you claim, noting any waiting period |
| Other services | For example child support or aged care | Only if relevant |
The ATO's lodgement page (updated 14 June 2026) describes myTax as the way to "prepare and lodge your tax return online". The ATO also says that without a TFN you cannot lodge online or claim government benefits, so the TFN comes first. See applying for a TFN with a Nigerian passport.
Setting up the account
- Go to the official myGov site, typing the address yourself rather than following a link in a message.
- Create the account with an email address you will keep long term. Avoid a work email you will lose if you change jobs.
- Set up the sign-in security the site offers and save any recovery details somewhere safe.
- Add your Australian mobile number for codes, once you have one.
- Read the myGov inbox regularly. Linked services send letters there instead of by post.
Linking the ATO
When you choose to link the ATO, you are asked to prove your identity, generally with your TFN and some other details the ATO holds about you. As a new arrival the ATO may hold very little, so linking can fail at first. Have your TFN letter and any ATO correspondence in front of you. If you cannot link online, contact the ATO for help rather than a third-party service. Once linked, you can lodge your return with myTax; see lodging your first tax return.
Linking Medicare and Centrelink
Medicare can usually be linked once you are enrolled and have your card details. Whether you can enrol depends on your visa; see Medicare eligibility on your visa. Centrelink is usually linked once Centrelink has given you a customer reference number; new permanent residents should first check the waiting period for their payment.
Problems new arrivals run into
- Linking fails because the ATO has no record yet. Wait until your TFN letter has arrived, then try again.
- Two myGov accounts. People sometimes create a second account by mistake with another email. Keep one account and link everything to it.
- Locked out after changing phone. Keep recovery details up to date before you swap SIMs or numbers.
- Letters missed. Once a service is linked, its letters may go only to the myGov inbox. Turn on email alerts.
- Fake sites. Search adverts sometimes lead to look-alike pages. Type the address yourself.
Digital Identity and statutory declarations
myGov is also a way to do some formal things without a witness. The Attorney-General's Department says a Commonwealth statutory declaration normally needs an approved witness, but can be made through myGov with a Digital Identity instead. That helps when you are asked for a declaration and do not yet know anyone on the witness list.
Keeping the account secure
- Never share a sign-in code with anyone; a call or message asking for one is a warning sign of a scam.
- Do not give your password to a migration or tax helper, or let them sign in as you.
- The ATO says registered tax agents are the only people who can charge a fee to prepare and lodge your tax return.
- If you change phone number or email, update myGov before the old one stops working.
- Check the inbox after any change of address.
Where Pryme fits
myGov handles your Australian side. For the Nigerian side, Pryme keeps naira, dollars, pounds and euros in one account, with sign-in through an authenticator app rather than SMS codes and a transaction PIN. See how security works and the multicurrency account.
Questions people ask
Do I need a TFN before linking the ATO to myGov?
In practice yes. The ATO says you cannot lodge online without a TFN, and linking asks you to prove identity with ATO details.
Can I lodge my tax return without myGov?
Yes. The ATO offers a paper return by mail, with most refunds issued within 50 business days, or you can use a registered tax agent.
Can I make a statutory declaration through myGov?
Yes. The Attorney-General's Department says one can be made with myGov and a Digital Identity instead of a witness.
Why can't I link the ATO as a new arrival?
The ATO may hold few details about you yet. Wait for your TFN letter, or contact the ATO for help.
Sources
- ATO: How to lodge your tax return (updated 14 Jun 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
- ATO: What is a tax file number? (updated 22 Jun 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
- Attorney-General's Department: Statutory declarations (updated 12 Feb 2024) · accessed Oct 2026
This article is general information, not financial, legal or tax advice. Products described are provided under the terms on this site and are subject to regulation and eligibility.