Set up your University MFA

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is enabled across all University of Melbourne systems, protecting both your personal information and the University’s data. Setup is quick and easy, and helps make sure it’s really you logging in.

A student studying with a laptop in the grounds of Parkville campus

Setting up MFA

Setting up your University MFA is an easy process and only takes a few minutes.

You’ll need:

Before setting up or using MFA with your University account, you will need to ensure the date and time on your phone matches your location. Please enable the ‘Automatic date and time’ in your settings.

    1. On your mobile device, install the Okta Verify app
      Download the Okta Verify app on your phone
    2. On a computer navigate to http://sso.unimelb.edu.au
      Navigate to https://sso.unimelb.edu.au
    3. Log in with your University username and password
      Log into using your University of Melbourne login details
    4. Click on Setup to begin
      Select Setup from the Okta Verify option
    5. Open the Okta Verify app on your phone and select Organization, then on the next screen select Skip, and then Yes, I'm ready to scan
      In the Okta Verify app on your phone select ‘Organization’, then ‘Skip’, then ‘Yes, I’m ready to scan’
    6. Scan the QR code off your computer screen
      Scan the QR Code
    7. Congratulations!
      You have now enrolled in MFA
      Success! You have set up MFA

    1. On your mobile device, install the Google Authenticator app
      Download the Google Authenticator app on your phone
    2. On a computer navigate to https://sso.unimelb.edu.au and log in with your University username and password
      Navigate to https://sso.unimelb.edu.au
    3. You will be signed into your MFA self-service dashboard.
      Click on your name in the top right corner and select Settings from the drop down menu
      You'll be signed into your MFA self-service dashboard. In the top right corner click your name and then select Settings
    4. Scroll down to the Security Methods section and click on Set up next to Google Authenticator
      Under the Security Methods section, click 'Set up' next to Google Authenticator
    5. Click Setup to begin
      Select Setup from the Google Authenticator option
    6. Scan the QR code off your computer screen
      Scan the QR Code
    7. Enter the code that is generated in the Google Authenticator app on your phone and click Verify
      Complete the setup by entering the code that is generate in the Google Authenticator app on your phone
    8. Congratulations!
      You have set up MFA using Google Authenticator

      Success! You have set up MFA

  • NOTE: Before setting up your Biometric Authenticator or passkey for your University MFA, you must set up Okta Verify first to ensure you will be able to log into University computers on campus.

    1. After setting up your MFA using Okta Verify, navigate to http://sso.unimelb.edu.au
      screenshot of sso portal URL
    2. You will be signed into your MFA self-service dashboard. Click on your name in the top right corner and select Settings from the drop-down menu
      Screenshot of the okta portal
    3. Scroll down to the Security Methods section and click on Set up next to Security Key or Biometric Authenticator
      Screenshot of the okta portal selecting to set up passkeys
    4. Select Setup and then on the next screen, select Set up
      Select set up Select set up again
    5. To set up the passkey on your phone, you will need to be sure you select Save another way and then select to Save to your phone.
      Note: If you’re using the Edge browser, you will first have to select Cancel on the Setup security key pop-up that appears. Then you will be able to select to use your phone.
    6. Scan the QR code off your computer screen and select to Save the Passkey
      Scan the QR code with your phone

      7. Once the passkey has been set up you will be taken back to your University SSO settings page

    7. Congratulations!
      You have now set up your MFA using a passkey and Biometric Authentication
      Congratulations!

Logging in with MFA

    1. Access your University applications as normal.
      You'll be directed to a Sign In page
      A laptop with university apps on it
    2. Log in with your University username and password
      Log into using your University of Melbourne login details
    3. Click Send Push
      Select "Send Push"
    4. Check your phone for a notification from Okta Verify.
      If you don't have a notification, open Okta Verify. 
      Select Yes, It's Me

      On your phone, select "Yes, it's me"
    5. You'll be signed into your MFA self-service dashboard to access your University apps
      Success! You have set up MFA

    Keep your phone with you as you may be prompted to verify your identity with MFA at any time.

    1. Access your University applications as normal.
      You'll be directed to a Sign In page
      A laptop with university apps on it
    2. Log in with your University username and password
      Log into using your University of Melbourne login details
    3. Select Google Authenticator
      You'll be asked to enter a six-digit code that you can find in the next step
      You'll be taken to a screen asking for a code
    4. On your phone, open Google Authenticator to see a six-digit MFA code. Enter that code into the Enter Code field on your computer
      On your phone, open Google Authenticator to see the six-digit code
    5. You'll be signed into your MFA self-service dashboard to access your University apps
      Success! You have set up MFA

    Keep your phone with you as you may be prompted to verify your identity with MFA at any time.

  • You can log in using Okta Verify or Google Authenticator as usual from overseas.

    In instances where you won't have data, you will have to verify your identity through MFA using a code.

    We we recommend that you set up Google Authenticator as a backup before you leave Australia.

  • This guide explains how to use a passkey to log into your University account when your passkey has been saved to your mobile phone.

    1. Access your University applications as normal. You'll be directed to a Sign In page
      A placeholder image depicting a University page that required you to log in
    2. Log in with your University username and password
      Screenshot of the University log in page
    3. Click Select next to Security Key or Biometric Authenticator
      Screenshot where you can select to log in using Security Key or Biometric Authenticator
    4. Use your phone camera to scan the QR code that that appears in the web browser where you’re trying to log in. You will see an option on your phone pop-up. Select Sign in with a Passkey. Your phone may ask you to verify using biometrics (like your fingerprint or face
      A phone scanning the QR code
    5. You'll be signed into your account
      Success!

    Keep your phone with you as you may be prompted to verify your identity with MFA at any time.

Your privacy

Discover how the University of Melbourne manages your personal information for multi-factor authentication (MFA) by viewing our detailed privacy notice.

View the MFA Privacy Notice

Support

Have a question or need help setting up your University MFA?

Visit the MFA Support and FAQ page

More information

Other resources

We recommend enabling MFA on every account that offers it, especially banking and social media accounts. You’ll often be prompted to set this up or find it listed in the settings.