Part of the Java madness on OSX is the need to explicitly enable java applet plug-in and web start applications. This catches me out every time I need to visit the ATO business portal and login with my AusKey. It also catches me out on the odd web page from time to time and I usually waste time looking for plugins in various browsers.
Here is the trick (courtesy of the ATO): Java Preferences are in the Utilities folder (not system preferences, not each browser).
3. Once Java and the AUSkey software are installed please follow the below steps:
– Click ‘GO’ from the top menu (if you cannot see ‘GO’ you may need to minimize your programs and click on the desktop)
– Click ‘Utilities’
– Double Click ‘Java Preferences’
– Tick the ‘Enable applet plug-in and Web Start applications’ button (This is located in the General TAB)
– Close Java preferences and try to use your AUSkey
This fixes the error with the SAML Pre-Request in Safari on OSX:
System Error
An error has occurred while detecting your system configuration or accessing the required software on your machine.
Please click Close.
Unfortunately those options aren’t there in the current Java – which YET AGAIN is broken on the ATO’s website.