Access Canberra
This short guide is a reference tool to help refresh your knowledge or practise what you have learned in the Access Canberra online course, including:
- how to create an ACT Digital account and access online government services in the ACT
- how to use the Fix My Street service, and get help and support from the ACT's Assistance website
- check local fuel prices, find concessions, and even trace lost or unclaimed money online.
What can government services do for me?
As well as managing your personal information, you can use government services to:
- Save money by applying for rebates
- Apply for discount or concession cards
- Find lost money
- Check when your car registration is due for renewal.
How do I access online services in the ACT?
accesscanberra.act.gov.au has information about all government services, and lets you sign in to your ACT Digital account to access services online.
If you’re have trouble using the website, you can call 13 22 81 between 8:00am and 6:00pm Monday to Friday, and speak to a representative, who will help you get what you need.
Creating your ACT Digital account
You can create your ACT Digital account on Access Canberra by clicking the Log in link and following the steps. You will need:
- An email address you can access
- Your current street address.
To upgrade your ACT Digital account to ID Verification Level 2 you’ll need a primary ID document such as your driver licence or current passport, plus your Medicare card and your mobile phone number.
You can then follow these steps:
- Log in to Access Canberra
- Click the My Account link under the search bar
- From the menu that appears, click Manage Digital Account
- Click Upgrade to Level 2 and follow the instructions.
What to do if you get lost
If you’re ever unsure where you are on the website, click the words Access Canberra in the top left of the page. This will take you back to the Access Canberra home page. You may need to Log in to your ACT Digital account again.
Be careful not to click the ACT Government symbol because this takes you to the act.gov.au page instead. If you end up here, you can click the Access Canberra link near the top of the page, to return to Access Canberra.
Accessing essential services
To access a service, look for the grid of categories on the Access Canberra home page. Click a category to see a list of services. Some example categories include:
- Community and Family
- Transport
- Health
- Land, planning, building and housing
Some services are hosted on other government websites. You can tell when you’re being redirected to another website when the address in your browser’s search bar changes. If you don’t want to go to another website right now, click the Back button in your web browser.
Using the Fix My Street service
You can report problems relating to your street. This could be anything from potholes to broken or dim streetlights. Click the Fix My Street link at the top of the Access Canberra home page. You can choose from categories including:
- Grass, trees & shrubs
- Streetlights
- Roads, parking & vehicles
Click on a category and follow the steps to report the issue.
Using the ACT government’s Assistance website
The ACT’s Assistance website at act.gov.au/assistance provides guides that help with the cost of living. Click the Savings Finder button on the home page and answer questions about the savings you need. Afterwards, you’ll see a list of savings that apply to you.
Finding petrol prices in the ACT
You can get information about fuel pricing from the Access Canberra site. From the home page:
- Click Fair Trading then click Consumers
- Click Fair Trading for Consumers
- Click Fuel prices & advice for purchasing fuel in the ACT.
As well as giving information about fuel pricing, this page will recommend two fuel price websites:
- Motor Mouth: motormouth.com.au
- Petrol Spy: petrolspy.com.au
Finding someone to talk to
The ACT Government has several services which provide someone for you to talk to if you need them. On the act.gov.au/assistance home page, click the Someone to talk to button near the bottom of the page. Then click any service you want to access. Some examples include:
- Carers ACT, which provides assistance for carers
- Health Direct, for 24 hour free health advice
- Lifeline Canberra
Using the top menu to find concessions
The Assistance site also has categories for concessions and rebates. These are in a menu across the top of the page and include:
- Housing, rates and utilities for concessions on your electricity, natural gas, water, and sewerage
- Transport and registration for concessions and free travel on the ACTION network, and taxi subsidies
- Health and dental for a list of Walk in Centres, and information on the Dental Health Program and help with ambulance fees.
You can explore any category by clicking on it in the menu.
Finding lost or unclaimed money
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission’s (ASIC) MoneySmart website at moneysmart.gov.au helps you claim lost money. This can be from such things as lost bank accounts, shares, investments and life insurance policies. The MoneySmart website also explains how to use my.gov.au and the ATO, to claim lost superannuation.