How to set up multifactor authentication
Learn how to set up multifactor authentication for your Ahpra portal.
Multifactor authentication is an extra layer of security to protect your Ahpra account. You might also know it as two-step verification.
It means you need to use your password and an authenticator app every time you log in to your Ahpra portal.
An authenticator app is a mobile application that generates a random one-time code.
To generate the one-time code, you need to download the free Google Authenticator app on your mobile phone.
Using an authenticator app is the most secure way to verify your identity when doing multifactor authentication. It provides greater security for your personal data and is more secure than SMS.
Before you get started
Make sure you have the following before you start:
- a laptop or desktop computer to set up your Ahpra portal
- an iOS or Android mobile phone with access to the App Store or Google Play store to download the Google Authenticator app
- your Ahpra username and password
- your password for your Apple Account or Google Account.
It only takes a few minutes to setup multifactor authentication.
To get started with multifactor authentication, complete the following steps in order.
Step 1 Download the Google Authenticator app complete on your mobile phone
Download the Google Authenticator app from Apple's App Store or the Google Play store on your mobile phone.
The Google Authenticator app is free and is available for both iPhone (iOS) and Android mobile phones.
If you already have the Google Authenticator app installed on your mobile phone, you can use it to connect it to your Ahpra portal.
You may need to enter your password for your Apple Account or Google Account on your mobile phone to download the app. If you need help managing your Apple Account or Google Account password, refer to Apple or Google support resources.
Once you’ve installed the Google Authenticator app on your mobile phone, go to Step 2.
Step 2 Set up your Ahpra portal complete on your laptop or desktop computer
For existing registered health practitioners
If you’re a registered health practitioner, or you’ve had an account with us before, you will need to move your account to the new Ahpra portal.
On your laptop or desktop computer:
- Click ‘Log in to Ahpra portal’ on the Ahpra portal page
- Enter your username and password to start the move
- Follow the on-screen steps to move your account to the new Ahpra portal.
Read how to move your Ahpra account to the new Ahpra portal for detailed instructions.
To complete the move, you will be prompted to set up multifactor authentication and connect the Google Authenticator app to your Ahpra portal.
For new applicants
If you’re registering with us for the first time you need to set up your account and Ahpra portal.
On your laptop or desktop computer:
- Click ‘Log in to Ahpra portal’ on the Ahpra portal page
- Click ‘Sign up now’
- Follow the on-screen steps to create your account.
Read how to create an account and set up your portal for the first time for detailed instructions.
Once you create your account and verify your email, you will be prompted to set up multifactor authentication and connect the Google Authenticator app to your Ahpra portal.
Step 3 Connect the Google Authenticator app to your Ahpra portal Both laptop or desktop computer, and mobile phone are required
To connect the Google Authenticator app to your Ahpra portal you need to use both your mobile phone and laptop or desktop computer.
Complete the following steps in order.
First, on your laptop or desktop computer:
- Click ‘Sign up with an authenticator app’ from the Ahpra portal screen.
- Wait for a QR Code to appear. You need to scan this in the next steps.
On your mobile phone:
- Open the Google Authenticator app, and press ‘Add a code’.
- Press ‘Scan a QR code’.
- Use your mobile phone camera to scan the QR code on the portal page on your laptop or desktop computer. There will be a green square on your mobile phone screen. Make sure the QR code is clearly visible within the green square so it can scan.
Once you scan the QR code the Google Authenticator app will automatically connect to your Ahpra portal.
If you have issues scanning the QR code from your mobile phone, you can enter a code manually. From the login page of your Ahpra portal, click ‘I can’t scan the QR code’.
A 30-digit alphanumeric code will appear on the screen. You need to copy or manually type this into the Google Authenticator app on your mobile phone to complete the set up.
When connected, a 6-digit one-time code will appear on the Google Authenticator app. This is your one-time code that you need to enter to log in to your Ahpra portal.
On your laptop or desktop computer:
- Enter the 6-digit one-time code that appears on the Google Authenticator app into the ‘Enter code’ field on the log in screen. The code is time sensitive and only valid for 30 seconds. If the first code doesn’t work, wait 30 seconds and try again with the next code generated.
- Press ‘Connect’ on the log in page for your Ahpra portal.
Your Google Authenticator app is now set up with your Ahpra practitioner portal.
Step 4 Create your password complete on your laptop or desktop computer
After you’ve connected the Google Authenticator app, you may be prompted to set up or reset your new password if you haven’t already.
Create a secure password that includes at least:
- 14 alphanumeric characters
- 1 uppercase letter
- 1 lowercase letter
- 1 number
- 1 special character (special characters can include the following: ! " # $ % & ' ( ) * + , - . / : ; < = > ? @ [ \ ] ^ _ ` { | } ~)
Follow the on-screen steps to set your password. You’ll receive an email to set the password. Check your junk folder if you don’t receive it.
Once you’ve set your password, you can log in to your Ahpra portal.
Each time you log in you will need to use both the one-time code from the Google Authenticator app on your mobile phone and your password.
Help and support
If you need help setting up multifactor authentication you can contact our customer service team.