myGov help - Link Centrelink to myGov using Centrelink identity verification

Instructions on how to link Centrelink to your myGov account if you do or don’t have a Customer Reference Number (CRN) to claim Centrelink payments and services, and are unable to create a Digital ID.

To start you need a myGov account. If you don’t have one, you can go to the myGov website to create one. When you’ve created your myGov account, follow this guide to prove your identity online to get your CRN and link Centrelink to your myGov account.

Before you submit a claim for some payments, you may need to meet some more identity requirements. This could include bringing acceptable photo identity documents to a service centre or uploading a document in your Centrelink online account or the Express Plus Centrelink mobile app. We’ll let you know if you need to do this.

Check the list of acceptable identity documents for proving your identity through myGov.

The screenshots in this guide are from a computer. The page layout will look different if you’re using a mobile device.

Step 1: sign in to myGov

Go to myGov and sign in.

Select either:

  • Link a service
  • View and link services.

From the list, select Link for the service you want to link. In this example, we’re linking  Centrelink.

If you haven’t linked the Australian Taxation Office or Medicare to your myGov account, we’ll ask you to agree to myGov storing your personal details.

If you agree to myGov storing your Given names, Family name and Date of birth in your myGov profile, select I agree.

If you’ve already linked the Australian Taxation Office or Medicare to your myGov account, we’ll show your myGov profile details.

To link Centrelink, these details must match the details on your:

  • Centrelink record, if you have one
  • identity documents, if you don’t have a Centrelink record.

Select Continue to proceed.

Step 2: get started

Select Yes or No to Do you have or know your CRN. If you select Yes, we’ll ask if you have a linking code. In this example we’ll select No then Next.

Select Get started in the Centrelink identity verification box.

Step 3: prove your identity

Read the information about the identity details you’ll need to prove who you are. Then select Next.

Read the information about how we’ll share and use your personal details. If you understand and agree to these terms, select I understand and agree to the above terms. Then select Next.

Select one of the following first document options to enter your identity details:

  • Australian passport
  • Australian birth certificate
  • Australian citizen ship certificate
  • Australian visa.

In this example, we’ll select Australian birth certificate.

Enter the details as they appear on your document.

We’ll show a sample of the document to help you enter the right details. You can also select the question mark icon if you need more help.

When you’ve finished entering all your details, select Verify.

Your first document will show as Verified.

Select one of the following second document options to enter your identity details:

  • Current Australian driver’s licence or learner’s permit
  • ImmiCard issued by Department of Home Affairs
  • Australian Citizenship by Decent certificate.

In this example, we’ll select Current Australian driver’s licence or learner’s permit.

Enter the details as they appear on your document.

We’ll show a sample of the document to help you enter the right details. Select the question mark icon if you need more help

When you’ve finished entering all your details, select Verify.

Your second document will show as Verified. Select Next to continue.

Step 4: enter your Medicare card details

Select your Medicare Card type from the dropdown menu.

In this example, we’ll select Medicare card.

Enter the details as they appear on your card.

When you’ve finished entering all your card details, select Verify.

Step 5: Enter other details about you

We’ll ask you to answer some questions specific to you. This is to make sure we match the correct record to your myGov account.

We’ll use these details to check if you have a Customer Reference Number (CRN). If we find a CRN record, you need to answer some questions to make sure the record is yours. If we don’t find a CRN, we’ll give you one.

Answer the questions, then select Next.

We may ask you some further questions. We base the questions on information you’ve given to Centrelink in the past. If you don’t know the answer to a question, select I do not know the answer so we can ask you a different one.

Answer the question, then select Next to continue.

When you’ve answered all the questions, your Centrelink service will be linked to your myGov account.

We’ll give you your Centrelink Customer Reference Number (CRN).

Select either of the following options:

  • Continue to go to your Centrelink online account to start your claim for a Centrelink payment or service
  • Return to myGov to go back to your myGov account.

For your privacy and security select My account, then Sign out when you’ve finished using your myGov account.

View other online account and Express Plus mobile app guides and video demonstrations about using your online account.

Page last updated: 9 September 2024.
QC 63239