Manage Mygovid

How to cancel your myID account and protect your digital identity

What myID is and why you might want to cancel

MyID (formerly myGovID) is Australia's government-backed digital identity system that lets you prove who you are when accessing services from the Australian Taxation Office, Medicare, Centrelink and other federal agencies. Unlike a paid subscription, myID is completely free and works as a reusable credential rather than a monthly billing service.

The app uses three identity strength levels - Basic, Standard and Strong - to match different security requirements across government services. You control which agencies can access your identity information, and you can link or unlink services at any time.

Most people use myID to authenticate tax returns, health services and welfare claims without needing multiple usernames and passwords. However, if you've experienced a security breach, no longer need the service, or simply want to step back from government digital services, you have the right to cancel and remove your account. Stopee has helped thousands of consumers understand their cancellation rights, and we're here to walk you through the process with clarity and confidence.

Key facts about myID

Why users choose to cancel myID

Security concerns are the most common reason Australians decide to cancel. If your account has been compromised, phishing attempts have targeted your credentials, or you've received suspicious messages claiming to be from government agencies, deactivating your myID removes the digital identity that scammers can exploit.

Privacy and data retention worries also drive cancellations. Some users want to minimise their digital footprint or reduce the number of government agencies holding linked records. Others simply no longer use government services frequently enough to justify maintaining an active digital identity.

Your consumer rights under australian law

Although myID is a free government service rather than a commercial product, Australian Consumer Law still applies to how the ATO manages your personal information and account closure requests.

Australian consumer law protections

The Australian Consumer Law (part of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010) gives you the right to request deletion of personal information held by government agencies. While myID itself is not a "consumer product" with purchase rights, your identity data is protected under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).

Key protections include:

• The right to access your personal information held by the ATO and linked agencies.
• The right to request correction of inaccurate identity data.
• The right to request deletion or deactivation of your digital identity.
• The right to lodge a complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) if your privacy request is refused or delayed.

What you should know about data retention

Deactivating your myID account does not automatically delete records held by agencies you accessed while using the identity. Tax records, health information and social security data remain governed by each agency's own retention rules, even after your digital identity is removed.

This is a critical distinction: your myID account and your agency records are separate. Cancelling myID closes the credential, but it does not erase copies of information held by the ATO, Department of Health, Services Australia or other linked departments.

How to cancel your myID account

Cancellation involves contacting the Australian Taxation Office directly by post or phone, as there is no self-service cancellation button within the myID app.

Step-by-step cancellation process

1. Gather your documentation

   • Your full name as registered with myID.
   • Your date of birth.
   • The email address linked to your myID account.
   • Your phone number (optional but helpful).
   • Any reference numbers from linked services (tax file number, Medicare number).

2. Prepare your written cancellation request

   • Write a clear, one-page letter on plain paper or email addressed to the Australian Taxation Office.
   • State: "I request the permanent cancellation and deletion of my myID account."
   • Include your full name, date of birth and registered email address.
   • Explain briefly why you want to cancel (optional but can speed up processing).
   • Ask for written confirmation once the account is permanently deactivated.

3. Choose your contact method

   • By post: Send your letter to the Australian Taxation Office, Locked Bag 1, Penrith NSW 2751. Allow 4-6 weeks for processing.
   • By phone: Call the ATO on 13 28 61 (13 ATO) during business hours and request to speak with a digital identity cancellation specialist.
   • In person: Visit your nearest ATO office with original identification and submit your cancellation request face-to-face.

4. Follow up on your request

   • If you submitted by post, note the date and keep a copy of your letter.
   • Wait 4-6 weeks, then check if your account has been deactivated by attempting to log in via the myID app or ATO portal.
   • If you submitted by phone, ask for a reference number and request written confirmation by email or mail.
   • Pro tip: Send your cancellation request via registered post if you need proof of delivery.

5. Request written confirmation

   • Ask the ATO to confirm in writing that your myID account has been permanently deleted or deactivated.
   • This confirmation protects you if scammers attempt to use your identity or claim your account is still active.

6. Check linked services remain secure

   • Log in to the ATO online services, Medicare and Services Australia to verify your accounts are still accessible via alternative login methods.
   • Update your security settings (passwords, recovery email, phone number) for these accounts to ensure continuity.
   • Warning: Cancelling myID does not cancel your tax, health or welfare services - only the digital credential you used to access them.

Mobile app vs. web-based cancellation

MyID does not offer in-app cancellation. You cannot delete your account directly from the iOS or Android application. The app allows you to unlink specific agencies or adjust security settings, but full account cancellation requires contacting the ATO through postal mail, phone or in-person visit.

This design protects against accidental deletions and ensures that only you (verified by personal details) can authorise permanent removal of your digital identity.

What happens after you cancel your myID account

Once your account is deactivated, you lose access to the myID credential but retain your ability to access government services through alternative login methods.

Immediate changes

Within 1-2 business days of cancellation, your myID app will no longer authenticate successfully. Any attempt to log into the ATO, Medicare or other agencies using myID will be rejected with an "account not found" or similar error message.

Linked services are not automatically disconnected. You may need to unlink your myID account from individual agency portals or contact each agency separately to confirm the credential has been removed from their systems.

Agency records and data retention

Your cancellation does not erase transaction history, tax records, health information or welfare payments. Stopee advises that you understand this critical distinction: closing your digital identity does not delete the data you submitted through that identity.

If you want specific records deleted or corrected, you must contact each agency individually. The ATO, Department of Health, Services Australia and other departments maintain their own privacy policies and data retention schedules, which operate independently of myID.

You can request access to or deletion of your personal records by submitting a Privacy Act request directly to the relevant agency or by contacting the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.

Reactivation and future access

Once your myID account is permanently cancelled, you cannot reactivate it by simply logging in again. If you need digital identity authentication in the future, you must re-enrol and re-verify your identity from scratch.

Re-enrolment requires you to upload identity documents (passport, driver licence or Medicare card) again and complete biometric verification or passkey setup.

Refunds and fees

MyID is a free service, so there are no subscription fees, refunds or financial charges associated with cancellation.

When fees might appear on your tax record

The ATO will not charge you for cancelling your myID account. However, if you were using myID to lodge tax returns and the ATO assesses a tax debt or penalty, those charges are separate from the digital identity service itself.

If you dispute a tax-related fee or penalty, contact the ATO directly - do not confuse myID account fees (which do not exist) with tax assessment issues.

Common mistakes to avoid when cancelling

We understand that dealing with government services can feel frustrating, especially when you're trying to remove your data. These mistakes can delay your cancellation or leave you vulnerable to security risks.

Unlinking agencies is not the same as cancelling

If you unlink individual agencies from within the myID app, you are disconnecting the credential from that specific service, but your myID account remains active. You can still use it to log into other agencies or re-link agencies you've disconnected.

Pro tip: If you only want to disconnect from Medicare but keep using myID for tax purposes, you can unlink agencies individually. Full cancellation requires contacting the ATO as described above.

Deleting the app does not delete your account

Uninstalling the myID app from your phone or deleting your login credentials does not cancel your account. Your digital identity remains active on the ATO's servers until you formally request cancellation in writing or by phone.

Assuming your linked agency records are deleted

Many users mistakenly believe that cancelling myID also removes their tax file number, Medicare information or welfare history. This is false. Stopee emphasises: agency records remain permanently unless you contact each department separately and request deletion or correction under Privacy Act rights.

Not requesting written confirmation

Verbal confirmation from an ATO representative is helpful but insufficient as proof. Always request written confirmation of your cancellation, whether by email or postal mail. This protects you if disputes arise later or if someone attempts to reactivate your account.

Overlooking security updates on linked accounts

After cancelling myID, remember to update passwords and security settings on your ATO, Medicare and Services Australia accounts. If your myID was compromised, the underlying accounts may also be at risk.

Documentation checklist for cancellation

Gather these documents before you submit your cancellation request to the ATO.

• Full legal name as registered with myID.
• Date of birth (DDMMYYYY format).
• Email address linked to your myID account.
• Phone number associated with your account (if applicable).
• Tax file number (optional but recommended to speed up processing).
• Reason for cancellation (security concern, no longer needed, privacy preference).
• Copy of your cancellation request letter (keep for your records if submitting by post).
• Proof of identity (passport, driver licence) if submitting in person.
• Reference numbers from any linked agencies (Medicare number, welfare reference number).

Escalation: what to do if the ATO refuses your cancellation

In rare cases, the ATO may delay or refuse a cancellation request. If this happens, you have consumer protection options available under Australian law.

File a complaint with the office of the australian information commissioner

The OAIC is Australia's independent privacy regulator. If the ATO refuses to delete or deactivate your myID account without a legitimate reason, you can lodge a Privacy Act complaint at oaic.gov.au or call 1300 363 992.

Include:

• Dates and details of your cancellation requests.
• Copies of all correspondence with the ATO.
• Explanation of why you believe the refusal breaches the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).

Escalate through your federal MP

Contact your local federal Member of Parliament if the ATO is unresponsive. MPs have power to request urgent responses from government agencies and can escalate complaints to the Minister for the ATO.

Request an independent review

You can request an internal review of the ATO's decision. Ask the ATO in writing for an "internal review of the decision to refuse cancellation." This triggers a formal review process with a different officer, and the ATO must respond within 30 days.

Key takeaways and next steps

Cancelling your myID account is straightforward if you follow the correct process: contact the ATO by post, phone or in person, provide your account details, and request written confirmation once the cancellation is complete.

Remember that closing your digital identity does not erase records held by linked agencies like the ATO, Medicare or Services Australia. If you need those records deleted or corrected, you must contact each agency individually under Privacy Act rights.

Security is paramount. If your myID was compromised, prioritise updating passwords on all linked government accounts and consider enabling multi-factor authentication where available.

How to contact the australian taxation office

Submit your cancellation request using any of these methods:

By post

Australian Taxation Office
Locked Bag 1
Penrith NSW 2751
Australia

Include your full name, date of birth, registered email address and a clear statement: "I request the permanent cancellation of my myID account."

By phone

Call 13 28 61 (13 ATO) Monday to Friday, 8 am to 6 pm (Australian Eastern Time). Ask to speak with someone who handles digital identity cancellations.

In person

Visit your nearest ATO office with original identification. You can find office locations at ato.gov.au.

Stopee has guided thousands of Australian consumers through cancellation journeys, and we're committed to empowering you with clear, actionable information. Whether you're cancelling due to security concerns, privacy preferences or simply no longer needing the service, you now have a complete roadmap to protect your rights and regain control of your digital identity. Take the first step today - contact the ATO and reclaim your peace of mind.