Which sign-in option is right for me?
Find out how and why we are changing the ways you can sign in and use services online.
Overview
We’re improving security and making it easier for you to access services online.
You can continue to sign in using your existing email, Google or Apple account, or you can choose the new, more secure digital identity option.
Why are we making this change?
Recent cyber incidents have shown the need for stronger protection of personal information. Digital identities offer higher levels of security, keeping your data safer from unauthorised access.
As we expand our online services, we’re upgrading our sign-in system to ensure secure and seamless digital transactions for you. Using a digital identity provides a single, secure sign-in, helping you avoid multiple sign-ins across different accounts and offering a more personalised experience.
Changes to email and password sign-in
We’re phasing out passwords with traditional email sign-ins to improve your security.
Instead of using a password, you’ll now receive a one-time verification code sent to your nominated email each time you sign in.
This means no more remembering or creating complex passwords — just enter the code and you're in!
Sign-in help
Recover your account
In some circumstances, you may be able to recover your online account.
If you lose access to the social identity (Apple or Google) that you used to set up your online account, contact your social identity provider directly and follow their processes for account recovery.
Once you have recovered your social identity, you can sign in to your Council online account.
If you lose access to the digital identity that you used to set up your online account, contact your digital identity provider directly and follow their recovery processes.
Once you have recovered your digital identity, you can sign in to your Council online account.
Frequently asked questions
A digital identity is an online ID that allows you to safely confirm your identity online to access digital services.
To create your digital identity, you verify who you are using appropriate identity documentation, such as a birth certificate, driver’s license or passport. Once verified, you can reuse this identity to access other services without having to verify your identity again.
Council is offering customers the ability to use a myID digital identity to access online services. To find out more about myID, visit the Australian Government’s myID website.
All you need to create a myID is a smartphone to download the myID (formerly MyGovID) app from the Apple App Store or Google Play. The app will guide you to which forms of identification you need to verify your identity.
To find out more about setting up your myID, visit the Australian Government’s myID website.
No, the use of a digital identity to access Council’s online services will be introduced over time.
While some services allow sign-in using a digital identity, more services will become available in the future.
For now, most Council online services will continue to allow sign-in using social identities such as Google or Apple, or an email address.
Most online services still allow you to sign in using social identities like Google or Apple, or your email address. However, some services may require a secure digital identity for access. If a service requires a digital identity, it will need to meet at least a 'standard' identity strength.
For more detailed information about identity strength, visit the Australian Government's myID website.
You can still use your email to sign in. However, passwords are being replaced by verification codes. Instead of entering a password, you will receive a unique code sent to your email address each time you sign in. This change enhances security and simplifies the sign-in process.
Verification codes provide stronger security than passwords because they are single-use and sent directly to your email.
Unlike passwords, they cannot be guessed or compromised through phishing attacks. This method also eliminates the need to remember or create complex passwords, offering a safer and more convenient way to protect your account.