Residency & Expat Life
How to Get Your Tax File Number (TFN) in Australia
A practical, step-by-step guide to getting a Tax File Number (TFN) in Australia as a newcomer: who can apply, how to apply online as a foreign passport holder
What a Tax File Number is
A Tax File Number (TFN) is your personal reference number in the Australian tax and superannuation system, issued by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). You use it when you start a job, lodge a tax return, deal with the ATO, and manage your superannuation (retirement savings). While you are not legally forced to have a TFN, not having one has real consequences: employers must withhold tax from your pay at the highest marginal rate, and banks may withhold tax on interest. For newcomers who intend to work, getting a TFN early is one of the simplest ways to make sure you are taxed correctly and keep more of your earnings.
Who can apply and when
Most newcomers apply as a foreign passport holder, permanent migrant, or temporary visitor who already holds a valid visa with work rights. The key requirement is that you are physically in Australia and have a visa that allows you to work or stay, because the most common application method is linked to your visa and passport details. Working holiday makers, skilled workers, students with work rights, and new permanent residents can all apply. You generally apply after you arrive, and you do not need to wait until you have a job; having your TFN ready before you start work avoids being overtaxed from day one.
How to apply step by step
The easiest method for migrants and temporary visitors is to apply online through the ATO using your passport and visa details, in an application designed for foreign passport holders. The ATO matches your details with the Department of Home Affairs, so no paper documents are usually needed. You complete the online form with your identity, visa, and Australian address information, and submit it. There is no fee to apply for a TFN. Alternatively, citizens and some residents can apply through other channels, but for newcomers the online foreign-passport application is the fastest and most convenient route.
After you apply: receiving and using your TFN
Once your application is processed, the ATO sends your Tax File Number to your Australian postal address, usually within about 28 days. Make sure the address you provide is correct and that you can receive mail there during this period. When you start a job, your employer will ask you to complete a TFN declaration; you have 28 days to provide your TFN, and if you do not, tax is withheld at the top rate. You also give your TFN to your bank and superannuation fund so that interest and super are taxed correctly rather than at the maximum rate.
Why a TFN saves you money
Providing your TFN to employers and financial institutions is what allows the normal tax-free threshold and correct tax rates to apply to your income. Without it, an employer must withhold tax at the highest marginal rate plus the Medicare levy, which can take a large slice of each pay. The same applies to interest from your bank. Although you can claim overpaid tax back when you lodge your annual return, that means waiting months for money you could have kept. Getting your TFN before or soon after starting work is therefore the practical way to avoid an unnecessary cash-flow hit.
Tips and protecting your TFN
Treat your TFN as confidential, because in the wrong hands it can be used for identity theft and tax fraud. Only give it to your employer, your bank, your super fund, the ATO, and your registered tax agent, and never share it casually online or with people who do not need it. Keep a secure record of the number so you can supply it on a TFN declaration without delay. If you change address while waiting for your TFN to arrive, update your details so it is not lost in the post, and contact the ATO if it does not arrive within the expected timeframe.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a TFN cost?+
Applying for a Tax File Number is free through the ATO. There is no government fee, whether you apply online as a foreign passport holder or through another channel. Be cautious of any service that charges you to obtain a TFN on your behalf.
How long does it take to get a TFN?+
After you apply, the ATO usually mails your Tax File Number to your Australian address within about 28 days. Make sure your address is correct and that you can receive mail there, and contact the ATO if it does not arrive in the expected time.
What happens if I work without a TFN?+
You can work without one, but your employer must withhold tax at the highest marginal rate, and banks may withhold tax on interest. You can reclaim overpaid tax in your annual return, but providing your TFN promptly avoids being overtaxed in the meantime.
Can I apply for a TFN before I arrive in Australia?+
The most common method for migrants and temporary visitors requires you to be in Australia with a valid visa, applying online using your passport and visa details. You generally apply after arrival, and you do not need a job first to apply.
Who do I give my TFN to?+
Provide your TFN to your employer via a TFN declaration when you start work, and to your bank and superannuation fund so income is taxed correctly. Keep it confidential otherwise, sharing it only with the ATO and your registered tax agent.
Related reading
This content is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Rules change, always verify on the official government site before applying.
Official source: www.ato.gov.au