Hackers Breach myGov and Australian Tax Office Systems

Minister Tanya Plibersek said cyber officials are responding swiftly.

An image of the phone app and front page to Australia's MyGov ID (digital ID) portal and website, taken in Perth, Western Australia on Jan. 22, 2024. Wade Zhong/The Epoch Times

Cybercriminals have breached the government services platform, myGov, and the Australian Taxation Office’s (ATO) systems, prompting warnings from senior government figures.

Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek said the National Office of Cyber Security and Cyber Minister Tony Burke were taking immediate action.

“If individuals are affected, they should contact the ATO,” she said.

“It is obviously a very concerning story, and we’ll be using all of the resources of government to continue to make sure that Australians are safer online—actually one of the very few countries where cybercrime has decreased,” she added.

Plibersek said the government had made significant investments in cyber defence but urged continued public vigilance.

“Australians, when they can, should use features like two-factor authentication, they should regularly update passwords, and they can continue to use myGov,” she said.

Plibersek said that affected individuals should contact the ATO to resolve any discrepancies.

“I think it’s not that complicated to show if the money’s gone into the wrong bank account, that’ll be very, very obvious,” she said.

ATO Flags Fraud, Warns of Fake Websites

While victims, accountants and the tax ombudsman have flagged vulnerabilities in the myGov and ATO platforms, the tax office maintains that its core systems remain secure.

In a statement, the ATO confirmed it had detected “unusual activity” likely stemming from identity theft.

“Identity information can be compromised in a variety of ways, including requests for information by malicious actors, phishing emails, large-scale data breaches, and individual device or home network hacking,” the ATO said.

“The ATO can confirm that its systems are secure, resilient and have not been compromised. The ATO continues to remain vigilant for new and emerging cyber threats.”

Meanwhile, the ATO is also warning of bogus websites spreading misinformation about superannuation rules.

Deputy Commissioner Emma Rosenzweig said there are no upcoming changes to the preservation age, which remains at 60 for anyone born after July 1, 1964.

“This is classic fake news,” Rosenzweig said. “Always consider the source of information you see, and if in doubt go to trusted sources such as the ATO website, your super fund website, your registered tax agent or licensed financial adviser.”

“Beware of websites that might be trying to harvest your personal information such as your TFN, identity details or myGov login details,” she added.

Confidence In Institutions At Stake: Nationals Leader

Nationals leader David Littleproud said the federal government needed to reassure Australians that systems were secure.

“It’s something we need to make sure we can give confidence to the Australian people,” he said.

“The government needs to be able to be transparent that they are actually on the job. Because if you don’t have confidence and faith in the government institutions and the processes that keep our society together, then that erodes trust.”