TL;DR: The Digital ID Act 2024 took effect on 1 December 2024. Digital ID is voluntary: a service generally can’t make you use it. Accredited providers face privacy rules stricter than the Privacy Act, including bans on single identifiers and on using your data for marketing, plus limits on biometrics. myID (formerly myGovID) is the government’s provider. From 1 December 2026, accredited private providers can join the government system, and businesses using myID start paying for it from 1 January 2027; individuals stay free. It’s also one of the best ways to secure myGov, as long as you never approve a sign-in you didn’t start.
The key facts
From the government’s Digital ID Act factsheet:
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Start date | 1 December 2024 |
| Voluntary? | Yes. An entity can’t require a Digital ID to provide a service |
| Privacy rules | Stronger than the Privacy Act for accredited entities |
| Banned | Single identifiers across services; using info for marketing |
| Limited | Handling of biometric and other personal information |
| Government provider | myID, part of the Australian Government Digital ID System |
| Private sector | Accredited private providers can join from 1 December 2026 |
| Regulator | ACCC initially; Information Commissioner for privacy |
What changes from December 2026
The Finance Minister’s June 2026 announcement sets out the next stage:
- From 1 December 2026, accredited private Digital ID providers that join the government system can be used by selected government services, and can charge commercially.
- From 1 January 2027 at the latest, businesses that use myID for their own services start contributing to its running costs.
- Individuals can still create and use myID for free, and government services keep using it at no charge.
- Higher-risk services, where fraud could seriously affect people’s finances, won’t accept private providers.
- Digital ID remains optional, and alternative ways to prove your identity remain available.
How much it’s already used
- 264 government services accept Digital ID (155 Commonwealth, 109 state and territory).
- More than 113 million authenticated transactions between May 2025 and April 2026, up from 36.5 million the year before.
- The myGov app passed 10 million users, with about six million signing in with fingerprint or face instead of a password, according to Biometric Update (August 2026).
What myID is
myID is an app that proves who you are online, used to sign in to government services like myGov. (It used to be called myGovID.) You verify your identity once with documents, then approve sign-ins on your phone.
Is it safe?
The design is privacy-focused: no single ID number tracking you everywhere, and no marketing use. The bigger risk is you being tricked:
- Never approve a sign-in request you didn’t start. If a code or prompt appears and you weren’t logging in, someone else is.
- Never share your myID code with a caller. See read-back code scams.
- Ignore texts or emails with "verify your Digital ID" links.
Why it helps protect myGov
myGov recommends setting up Digital ID or passkeys and turning off your password, which makes phishing much harder (myGov security steps). The ATO also suggests a Strong myID to protect tax accounts after identity theft (TFN guide).
The concerns people raise
Some critics worry Digital ID could become effectively mandatory over time, or create a single point of failure. The Act’s voluntary rule and privacy bans are the main safeguards, and the government has repeated that alternatives will remain available as private providers join. Business fees were still being consulted on when the 2026 changes were announced. You can still use other ways to access services.
Your digital footprint
Digital ID protects how you log in. It doesn’t clean up what’s already leaked. A free exposure check shows where your email has been exposed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Digital ID mandatory in Australia?
No. The Digital ID Act 2024 says creating and using a Digital ID is voluntary, and an entity generally can’t require one.
When did the Digital ID Act start?
1 December 2024.
What is myID?
The Australian Government’s Digital ID provider, formerly called myGovID, used to sign in to government services.
Will I have to pay for myID?
No. The government says individuals can still create and use myID for free. Charges from January 2027 apply only to businesses that use it.
Can private companies provide Digital ID in Australia?
From 1 December 2026, accredited private providers can join the government system for selected services. Higher-risk services will only accept myID.
Can my Digital ID data be used for marketing?
No. The Act bans accredited entities from using information for marketing.
Sources
- Australian Government: Digital ID Act 2024 factsheet
- Minister for Finance: Digital ID expands to the private sector (Jun 2026)
- Biometric Update: myGov app passes 10M users (Aug 2026)