Service NSW 2FA: how to set up an authenticator app for your MyServiceNSW Account
By the Novaz team · Updated October 29, 2026
Novaz steps checked against version 1.0.5
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Your MyServiceNSW Account is the login for New South Wales government services such as licences, registrations and vouchers (Service NSW). Multi-factor authentication (MFA), Service NSW's name for 2FA, is required on every account (Service NSW).
Codes can come by text message to an Australian mobile number, from the Service NSW app, or from an authenticator app, which works overseas with no internet and no Australian number (Service NSW). Its help mentions no recovery codes, so plan a second method from the start.
This guide uses Authenticator App - Novaz on iPhone. Any authenticator app works the same way.
How we checked this guide: the Service NSW steps come from Service NSW's own help pages and account terms, linked below, which we read on October 19, 2026. We haven't tested them on a MyServiceNSW Account, so a label may differ slightly. The Novaz steps are checked against the app, version 1.0.5.
Turn on 2FA with an authenticator app
Service NSW's newest help page, from June 2026, gives this route (Service NSW):
- Log in to your MyServiceNSW Account at account.service.nsw.gov.au.
- Go to Manage account, then Settings and security, then Multi-factor authentication.
- On the Authenticator app card, select Set up (Service NSW), then follow the prompts.
- Service NSW's help doesn't show the setup screen or say whether it offers a QR code, a key, or both. For a QR code, open Novaz, tap +, then Scan QR code.
- For a key, tap +, then Enter key manually, and put it in Setup key. See What is a 2FA setup key?
- If Service NSW asks for a code to confirm, type the 6-digit code from Novaz.
Service NSW says the codes have 6 digits and refresh every 30 seconds (Service NSW). That matches what Novaz uses for a typed key. Scanning is still safer, since a QR code carries all the settings.
An older page, from March 2026, uses Manage account > Personal details > Security settings > Multi-factor authentication (Service NSW), so labels may differ.
In the Service NSW app, it's under the profile icon, then Security settings (Service NSW). For a QR code on the iPhone that has Novaz, see scanning a QR code on the same iPhone.
No recovery codes, so add a second method
Service NSW's help doesn't mention recovery or backup codes. It recommends setting up at least 2 MFA methods instead (Service NSW). Novaz's keys stay on your iPhone unless you back them up under Settings > Backup, so take that advice:
- Text message: one Australian mobile number per account, and codes can't go to an international number. Service NSW rates it less secure than the apps (Service NSW).
- Service NSW app: MFA on one device only, by push notification or by a One-time code that needs no internet (Service NSW).
When Service NSW asks for a code
You need MFA to log in to your account, the Service NSW app, your Business Profile, and other agencies' services that use your MyServiceNSW login (Service NSW). Service NSW also asks before you change your mobile number, device or MFA method (Service NSW). Its help doesn't mention remembering a trusted device.
Service NSW will never phone you for a code. If one arrives that you didn't request, change your password (Service NSW).
If Service NSW rejects your code
Service NSW's help has no advice on rejected authenticator codes. The usual cause is the iPhone's clock: open Settings > General > Date & Time and turn on Set Automatically. Novaz warns you when the clock is 15 seconds or more off. Other causes are in Authenticator code not working?
Moving to a new iPhone
Service NSW's steps need the old phone, or another method to log in with (Service NSW):
- Log in and open Multi-factor authentication in your account settings.
- Select Remove for the authenticator app, entering a code from Novaz on the old iPhone if asked. If there's no Remove button, call 13 77 88 or visit a service centre.
- On the Authenticator app card, select Set up and add the account to Novaz on the new iPhone.
The page's cloud-backup route is for Google and Microsoft Authenticator. With Novaz, if you turned on iCloud backup or kept a backup file, you can restore your accounts on the new iPhone instead and skip these steps. Without a backup, follow them. See How to transfer your authenticator app to a new iPhone.
That Remove step is the only documented way to take the authenticator app off your account. MFA itself stays on, since every account needs it.
If you lose your authenticator
With a second method set up, you may be able to select Try another method at the code prompt and use a text message or the Service NSW app (Service NSW). Then remove the old authenticator and set it up again, as above.
If you can't log in any other way, or your phone was lost or stolen, call 13 77 88 or go to a service centre. From overseas, call +61 2 8894 1555 or use the online contact form (Service NSW). The help pages don't say what proof of identity Service NSW asks for or how long it takes. More in Lost the phone with your authenticator app?
