How myGov can help you keep track of your super

Knowing how much you have in your super account, where all your super is, and how much you and your employer have contributed is important when it comes to managing your financial affairs.

Keeping track of your super used to be a tricky task involving lots of phone calls and paperwork. But upgrades to the Australian Taxation Office’s (ATO) online service and the government’s myGov portal mean it’s now just a few clicks away.

So, what is myGov, what super information is available on it, and how can you keep it secure?

What is myGov?

The myGov portal is your hub for connecting with Australian government services including the ATO, Centrelink, Medicare and the child support agency.

After creating your account, you choose which services are relevant to you and set up links to each one.

To find out more about how to create a myGov account and link services visit the government’s help page.

Keeping your account secure

MyGov allows you to choose from a range of sign-in options.

By default, your username and password are verified using two-factor authentication. You can choose from:

• A code sent by SMS to your mobile
• A code generated in the myGov code generator app
• Secret questions and answers.

These three two-factor options are listed in your account settings under ‘2-factor authentication’.

The secret question and answer option is the least secure, since people who know you well may know the answers to the questions you have set. A code sent by SMS is slightly more secure, however, it is possible for criminals to clone your SIM or have an e-SIM issued with your phone number and then access codes sent via SMS to you.

A code generated by the myGov code generator app is the most secure of the two-factor authentication options since only a person with physical access to your unlocked device can access the code. No new devices can be added to the code generator without first logging into your myGov account.

Instead of using a password and two-factor authentication, myGov allows you to use a passkey or myID (previously myGovID). Passkeys are set up on your device(s) using the security features available such as fingerprint verification, while myID requires you to submit identity documents for verification.

MyID can be set up on multiple devices but requires ID to be submitted individually for each one. Once myID is set up, you can use your device settings to secure access to the app, requiring face unlock or fingerprint verification to use it.

Using passkeys or myID to log in to myGov is considered the most secure option and permits you to turn off password access to your account for an additional layer of protection. While password access is turned off, no one can access your account without using your device and passing the check you have set, even if your password is compromised.

The myGov code generator app, your passkey(s) and myID continue to function if you go overseas, so long as you set them up before you go.

The myGov app

You may also wish to set up the myGov app on your mobile phone. When you first install it, you need to log in to myGov using your usual method. Once logged in, your device will prompt you to set a PIN or use your fingerprint/face (biometric) unlock to use the app in the future.

The app allows you to store your government cards (such as Medicare, Centrelink and organ donor cards) in its digital wallet and access all your linked services and myGov inbox. Like myID and the myGov code generator, the myGov app works while you are overseas.

Where can I find super information in myGov?

The ATO-linked service in myGov is where you can find all your superannuation and tax information.