MyGov set for major changes that every Australian needs to know about

Registration of births and deaths, access to your driver’s license and voter registration are just some of the features expected in a major revamp of the government services portal, MyGov.

The government has flagged these changes alongside a major funding push following an expert panel review of the much-criticized service led by former Telstra executive David Thodey.

MyGov has experienced a boom in user numbers and online activity since the Covid pandemic with more Australians using online government services.

More than 25 million Australians have a MyGov account, with 1.4 million people using the website every day and daily usage has tripled in the last five years.

The review included a survey which found that 75 per cent of Australians felt MyGov needed improvement.

A number of recommendations have been highlighted in a report, which has been delivered to the Albanian government.

The findings propose that the Commonwealth work closely with state and territory governments to bring more services to MyGov so Australians have access to more services in one online location.

New features recommended in the report include registration of births and deaths, helping people respond to natural disasters, and providing access to driver’s licenses, Medicare cards, senior cards, occupational licenses and other forms of identification.

It was also suggested that the government consider allowing people to register to vote, renew their passport or fill out the census through MyGov.

Government Services Minister Bill Shorten said changes to the report would be considered by the Albanian government in the coming months.

“It’s a matter to negotiate with our comrades in arms in the state governments and get various federal departments involved,” he said.

“This (report) is the blueprint, and what we want to do, what I’d like to do, over the next 12 months is articulate a timeline where we can start sending out cards.”

Government services minister Bill Shorten (left) said the Commonwealth would consider the recommendations outlined in the report which was led by former Telstra executive David Thodey (right).

The report also outlined increased funding for MyGov and recommended a budget of $132 million per year.

Shorten said this significant increase in funding could be in the federal government’s May budget.

He stressed that the service urgently required additional funds to operate properly in the future.

Access to the Medicare card is the first expected change to the MyGov app in March.