FIRB portal login: how to set up an account and sign in

Step 1: set up myID

myID is the Australian Government's digital identity app. The ATO says an individual without an ABN needs a myID with at least Basic identity strength. Basic needs only personal details: myID's own page says that for Basic you only need to enter your personal details. The app asks for an email address, a password, your full name and your date of birth, and it is downloaded from the Apple App Store or Google Play. You do not need a myGov account to use the foreign investor service.

A higher level is needed in one case. An entity with an ABN, such as an Australian company, needs a myID of at least Standard strength. myID's page says Standard needs two Australian identity documents to be verified.

Step 2: sign in and add your record

1. Go to the ATO's foreign investor login at onlineservices.ato.gov.au/ForeignInvestor.
2. Enter your myID email address and select Get code. A four-digit code appears in the browser.
3. Open the myID app, sign in with your password, fingerprint or face, and enter the code.
4. Give consent to share information.
5. Choose who you are representing. Select Myself to register yourself as a foreign person.

If you have dealt with the ATO before, the system tries to match you to your record by asking questions. People with a tax file number answer two questions from the ATO's TFN list. People without one answer one question from each of three categories, three in total. If the system cannot match you, the ATO says to select Continue and go on to registration. Someone whose identity check fails can phone the ATO for a linking code, valid for 24 hours.

Step 3: complete the foreign person registration

The registration must be finished in one session. For an individual, the ATO asks for the date you became a foreign person, your nationality, optional Australian reference numbers, an email address for correspondence, a phone number (digits only), your residential and postal address, and a secret question and answer. Then submit and allow up to 5 business days.

A company or trust that has dealt with the ATO before needs an authorisation code from the ATO before this step, and the code is case sensitive and valid for 7 days. An entity with an ABN follows the ATO's separate ABN access steps, which link the myID to the business through the Relationship Authorisation Manager. Linking online needs a Strong myID, and the ATO lists a phone option through the Relationship Authorisation Manager support line for people who cannot link online.

Authorising a lawyer or agent

A foreign person can authorise a representative to use the service for them. The ATO says the representative needs:

• their own myID, with at least Basic identity strength
• a registered Online services for foreign investors account of their own
• their full legal name, which the foreign person must have
• an email address they can access, for the authorisation code

The foreign person signs in, selects the linked entity, chooses Manage access, then Add. They set a start date, an optional end date and whether the person is an authorisation administrator. Authorisation stays active indefinitely if no end date is given. The representative signs in, selects Add, then Another person or entity, enters the authorisation code and accepts the declaration. The foreign person can remove an authorisation later under Manage access. ABN holders authorise people through the Relationship Authorisation Manager instead, where a representative can remove their own authorisation. The lawyer or agent guide covers what advisers do beyond lodging.

Common problems

The ATO's troubleshooting page lists more known issues. Who to contact lists the support lines, and the ATO's scam warnings apply to messages that claim to be about your login.

Frequently asked questions

firbapproval.com.au is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to the Foreign Investment Review Board, the Australian Treasury or the Australian Taxation Office. We do not lodge or process applications. Applications are made to the ATO. General information only, not legal, tax, migration or financial advice.