If you are applying for a grant via the SBDC, it’s now essential that you use myGovID to verify your identity before commencing your claim.
What is myGovID?
myGovID is a national digital identity tool that operates through smart devices, such as your mobile phone. It has been designed to help individuals prove their identity, in a similar way to a 100-point ID check, and works with many applications such as the ServiceWA app and director ID registration. The app allows you to prove who you are in order to securely sign in to participating government online services.
The app can be set up to different security levels: basic, standard and strong and is available to Australians aged 15 years or older.
In order to verify your identity for grants administered by the SBDC, your myGovID must be set to a standard level or higher.
Why should I set it up?
By setting up your myGovID, you will be able to access participating online services, such as myGov, without needing to remember multiple passwords. Instead, a code will be sent to your smart device when you log in.
If you are applying for grants administered by the SBDC, you must use myGovID to verify your identity as a first step in applying for a grant. This step has been introduced to protect the grant programs from fraud and enable to more efficient processing and payment of grants to eligible applicants.
MyGovID and MyGov are separate services. You can access online services like Medicare for your COVID-19 vaccine certificate through your myGov account. You can connect your myGovID to your myGov account for a simple and secure sign in.
How to set up myGovID
Before you start, you should first ensure you have several things ready:
- A personal email address that you will always have access to (not a shared inbox or work address)
- For standard and strong identity strength levels, items such as your driver’s licence, passport or Medicare card. Your name must be the same on all identity documents.
To set up your myGovID:
- Download the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play
- Enter your details
- Verify your identity to different strengths using specified documents
The WA Government has produced a video to help people set up their myGovID in order to use the ServiceWA app. You can follow the steps in the video to set up your myGovID.
How do I use myGovID for my grant application?
If you are the authorised person (such as the owner, manager, or accountant) associated with a small business in WA and want to apply for a current grant, you must first use your myGovID to verify your identity.
After reading the Program Guidelines, FAQs and Terms and Conditions for the grant you are interested in and ensuring you are eligible, click on the Verify your identity button.
- You will be taken to the myGovID verification page on wa.gov.au.
- Click on the Confirm identity button then register now in the digital identity section. You will be redirected to identity.gov.au.
- Select “myGovID” and login with the email address assigned to your myGovID account.
- Enter the code show on the screen into your smart device’s myGovID app.
- You will be redirected to wa.gov.au where you give your consent to share your identification details.
- On the wa.gov.au page you have been redirected to, complete your other details including your ABN, select the grant/s you are applying for, and submit the form. You will see a confirmation message.
- You will receive an automated email with details on how to start your grant application. Select the link for the grant you are applying for to take you to the SmartyGrants platform.
You can log in to SmartyGrants using an existing login from your registered email, or create a new account. Applications on the SmartyGrants platform can be saved and returned to later by using your account details, but can’t be accessed or edited once submitted. If you have selected more than one grant that you wish to apply for, you will be sent separate application links via SmartyGrants.
For the Tenant Rent Relief Scheme and the Small Business Hardship Grants Program being administered by the SBDC it is mandatory to use myGovID to verify your identity, except in exceptional circumstances.
I’m having trouble setting up myGovID – can you help?
myGovID is administered by the Australian Government. If you’re having trouble, you can find support to help you verify your identity through the Australian Government’s support documents or contact them for further assistance.
More information
- For more information about setting up your myGovID visit mygovid.gov.au/set-up
- Apply for the Tenant Rent Relief Scheme
- Apply for the Small Business Hardship Grants Program
- Apply for the Small Business Assistance Grant – December 2021
