Set up a password manager and stop remembering every login

Tired of juggling dozens of logins for banking, streaming, and government services? A password manager handles them all with one master password, and getting started takes less time than a quick coffee at your local cafe in Brisbane.

Australians deal with plenty of accounts, from myGov and ATO portals to Netflix and Woolworths online shopping. A manager stores each credential behind strong encryption, fills forms for you, and works across Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android. Here's how to put one in place from scratch, even if you've never used one before.

Manager	Free plan	Paid price (AUD)	Cross-device sync	Biometric login
Bitwarden	Yes	About $14 per year	Unlimited devices	Yes
Apple Passwords	Yes, built-in	Free	Apple devices only	Yes
Google Password Manager	Yes	Free	Any device with Chrome	Limited
1Password	No	About $77 per year	Unlimited devices	Yes

What to look for when picking a manager

The best tool is the one you'll actually use every day. Start by checking whether the service offers zero-knowledge encryption, which means only you can read your vault. Confirm it works on the devices you own, including your iPhone, Android tablet, Windows laptop, or MacBook. If you're a family, look for a plan that allows sharing for things like the Netflix login or the AGL energy account without exposing the password itself.

Pricing in Australia tends to land between $10 and $80 per year for individuals, with family bundles going higher. Free tiers from Bitwarden, Apple Passwords, and Google Password Manager work well for light users, while paid plans from 1Password, Dashlane, and NordPass add extras like VPN access and dark-web monitoring. The team behind this site explains how they evaluate these tools on the about us page.

Create your account and a master password

Sign up with a unique email, ideally one not tied to your main social media accounts. The master password is the only key to your vault, so make it long rather than complicated. The easiest method is a passphrase: four or five random words strung together with spaces or hyphens, such as "koala-thermos-river-bridge-7". This is far stronger than "Password123" and easier to recall.

Store the passphrase somewhere offline, like a piece of paper in a locked drawer, until you've memorised it. Most managers generate a recovery code during setup. Print it or write it down and keep it separate from your devices. Never store the master password itself in a notes app or email draft, as those are often the first places attackers check.

Install apps and browser extensions everywhere

Download the desktop app for Windows or macOS, the mobile app from the App Store or Google Play, and the browser extension for Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari. Sign in on each device using your master password, then enable biometric unlock with Touch ID, Face ID, or your fingerprint sensor. This means you can access your vault instantly without typing the long passphrase every time.

Turn on cross-device syncing during setup so new passwords saved on your laptop appear on your phone within seconds. If you use a Windows PC at home and an iPhone on the go, this sync is essential for a smooth experience across Australian households that mix and match devices.

Bring your old passwords across

Most browsers let you export saved logins as a CSV file. In Chrome, open Settings, go to Passwords, click the three-dot menu, and choose Export. In Safari, use System Settings then Passwords to export. Import this file into your new manager using its built-in import tool, which usually lives under Settings or Tools.

Once the import finishes, scan the vault for duplicates. Many managers highlight reused or weak passwords automatically. Change any reused password straight away, starting with important accounts like your bank, superannuation portal, and email.

Tidy the vault with folders and notes

Create folders that match how you live: Banking, Government, Work, Streaming, Shopping. Australians often group services like myGov, ATO, Centrelink, Medicare, and state-based services such as Service NSW or VicRoads together for quick access. Add secure notes for Wi-Fi codes, passport numbers, and frequent flyer details like Qantas or Velocity.

Use tags for shared family accounts, such as "Kids" or "Holiday House". If your manager supports it, set up shared vaults so a partner can access the Foxtel login without seeing your work passwords.

Use autofill in daily life

After a few days, the manager will offer to save every new login automatically. Accept these prompts, and when you next visit sites like Commonwealth Bank, ANZ, ATO, or Qantas, the right credentials will appear the moment you click the username field. On mobile, autofill works through the system keyboard, so there's no need to switch apps.

When you sign up for a new service, use the built-in password generator to create something long and random, like "Gx7#mP2!qR9vL". Save it immediately and move on. You don't need to remember it; the manager does that for you.

Lock down access with backups and two-factor codes

Protect the manager itself with two-factor authentication (2FA). An authenticator app such as Microsoft Authenticator, Google Authenticator, or Authy is safer than SMS, which can be intercepted through SIM-swap fraud, an issue that has affected Australians in the past. Save the recovery codes the manager gives you in a separate offline location, perhaps with the piece of paper holding your master passphrase.

Test the recovery process before you need it. Log out of all devices, then log back in to confirm you can regain access with your master password and 2FA. Enable emergency access for a trusted family member if your plan supports it, so someone you trust can reach critical accounts if something goes wrong.

The real win comes from sticking with it. Once your vault is set up and synced across your phone, tablet, and computer, you'll spend less time stuck on password reset screens and more time getting on with the things that matter.