How to Get a Tax File Number (TFN) in Australia: Complete Guide

How to Get a Tax File Number (TFN) in Australia: Complete Guide

Your Tax File Number is a nine-digit number issued by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) that identifies you for tax purposes. Without one, you'll be taxed at the highest marginal rate of 45% on every dollar you earn — no tax-free threshold, no reduced rates, just the maximum rate applied to all your income. That's not a scare tactic; it's the law. Getting a TFN should be one of the first things you do after arriving in Australia, right alongside opening a bank account. The application is free, takes about 10 minutes, and processing runs 7-14 business days.

What Is a TFN and Why Do You Need One?

A Tax File Number is your unique tax identification in Australia. It's roughly equivalent to a Social Security Number (USA), National Insurance Number (UK), or Social Insurance Number (Canada) — but it's used exclusively for tax and financial purposes.

Where You'll Need Your TFN

The financial impact is enormous. Consider someone earning $60,000 per year:

• Without TFN: Taxed at 45% = $27,000 in tax
• With TFN: Normal rates = approximately $9,967 in tax (including Medicare levy)
• Difference: $17,033 per year

That's not money you get back. While you can file a tax return at the end of the financial year to claim the difference, the process takes months and ties up cash you could have been using. Apply for your TFN before you start working.

Who Can Apply for a TFN?

You can apply for a TFN if you meet any of these criteria:

• You're an Australian citizen or permanent resident
• You hold a valid visa with work rights
• You're a foreign resident who earns Australian-source income
• You're applying for an Australian Business Number (ABN)

International students on a Student Visa (Subclass 500) with work rights can and should apply. Working Holiday Visa holders (Subclass 417/462) also need a TFN.

You do not need a TFN if you're visiting Australia as a tourist with no intention of working or earning income.

How to Apply for a TFN

There are three ways to apply:

Option 1: Online (Recommended)

The fastest and simplest method. Apply through the ATO website.

Requirements:

• Valid visa with work rights (your visa must be visible in the ATO's system — usually available within 24 hours of visa grant)
• Be physically in Australia at the time of application
• Australian address for correspondence

Steps:

1. Go to the ATO website (ato.gov.au) and navigate to "Apply for a TFN"
2. Select "Foreign passport holder, permanent migrant, or temporary visitor"
3. Complete the online form — you'll need:
   • Full name (as it appears on your passport)
   • Date of birth
   • Passport number and country of issue
   • Visa details
   • Australian residential address
   • Contact phone number
4. Submit the application
5. Your TFN will be mailed to your Australian address within 7-14 business days

There's no tracking number or online status check — you simply wait for the letter. If you haven't received it after 28 days, contact the ATO.

Option 2: By Phone

Call the ATO on 13 28 61 (within Australia) during business hours. An operator will walk you through the application over the phone. This option is useful if you're having trouble with the online form.

Business hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 6:00pm (local time)

Option 3: In Person at an ATO Office

You can visit an Australian Taxation Office in person. This is rarely necessary but may be helpful if you have complex circumstances or need immediate assistance.

What to bring:

• Passport
• Visa grant notice or evidence of visa status
• Proof of Australian address

ATO offices are located in capital cities and some regional centres. Check the ATO website for locations and opening hours.

Processing Times

Processing time is the same regardless of method — the letter containing your TFN is mailed to your Australian address. There's no way to expedite it.

Can I start working before I receive my TFN?

Yes. You can start working without a TFN, but your employer is legally required to withhold tax at the highest rate until you provide it. Once you supply your TFN, your employer adjusts the withholding rate going forward. However, the excess tax already withheld isn't refunded by your employer — you'll need to file a tax return at the end of the financial year to claim it back.

The practical advice: apply for your TFN the day you arrive. If your processing takes the standard 7-14 days, you'll have it before you start most jobs.

The Australian Tax Year

Australia's tax year runs from 1 July to 30 June. This is different from the calendar year used in many countries and catches some newcomers off guard.

Key Tax Dates

If you arrive mid-year, you'll file a tax return covering only the portion of the year you were in Australia. The ATO's online system (myTax) makes this straightforward.

Tax Rates for Residents (2025-2026)

If you're an Australian tax resident (which includes most people living and working in Australia on a long-term basis, regardless of citizenship), these rates apply:

Plus the Medicare levy of 2% on taxable income (unless exempt).

Working Holiday Maker Tax Rates

If you're on a Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417 or 462), different rates apply:

Working holiday makers don't get the tax-free threshold. The flat 15% rate on the first $45,000 is the trade-off.

Keeping Your TFN Secure

Your TFN is a sensitive piece of personal information. Treat it with the same care you'd give a passport number.

Who You Should Share Your TFN With

• Your employer (on the Tax File Number declaration form)
• Your bank or financial institution
• The ATO
• Your superannuation fund
• Centrelink (if receiving government payments)
• Your registered tax agent (if using one)

Who You Should NOT Share Your TFN With

• Recruitment agencies (they don't need it until you're placed in a role)
• Landlords or real estate agents
• Anyone asking for it by email or phone (unless you initiated the contact with a verified number)
• Random online forms
• Social media or job listing sites

TFN scams are common. The ATO will never ask you to provide your TFN via email, text message, or social media. If someone contacts you claiming to be from the ATO and asking for your TFN, it's a scam. Hang up and call the ATO directly on 13 28 61.

What to Do Once You Receive Your TFN

Your TFN arrives in a plain, unmarked envelope from the ATO. Don't throw it away by mistake — there's no distinctive branding on the outside.

Once you have it:

1. Provide it to your employer — complete a TFN declaration form (your employer should provide this, or you can download it from the ATO website)
2. Update your bank account — provide your TFN through the mobile app or by calling the bank. This prevents interest being taxed at 45%.
3. Create a myGov account — link it to the ATO to manage your tax affairs online
4. Link to your super fund — your employer handles this during onboarding, but verify it's been done
5. Store it securely — memorise it or keep it in a secure location. Don't carry the letter in your wallet.

Filing Your Tax Return

At the end of the tax year (30 June), you'll need to lodge a tax return if you earned any income in Australia. Here's how:

Option 1: myTax (Free, DIY)

The ATO's online tax return system is called myTax, accessed through your myGov account. It pre-fills much of your information (employment income, bank interest, health insurance details) and walks you through the process.

Best for: Simple tax affairs — salary income, bank interest, standard deductions.

Option 2: Registered Tax Agent

A professional tax agent lodges your return on your behalf. Costs range from $100-$300 for a straightforward individual return.

Best for: Complex situations — multiple income sources, investment properties, business income, first-time Australian tax returns where you're unsure of the rules.

Common Deductions for Migrants

You may be able to claim deductions for:

• Work-related travel (not commuting, but travel between work locations)
• Work uniforms or protective clothing
• Professional development and training
• Tools and equipment used for work
• Home office expenses (if you work from home)
• Union fees and professional membership dues

Keep receipts for everything. The ATO accepts digital records, so photographing receipts with your phone is sufficient.

Superannuation and Your TFN

Your TFN is linked to your superannuation account. When your employer makes super contributions (currently 11.5% of your salary), those contributions are taxed at 15% — but only if your super fund has your TFN. Without it, contributions are taxed at 32%.

If you leave Australia permanently on a temporary visa, you can apply for your superannuation to be refunded as a Departing Australia Superannuation Payment (DASP). Your TFN is required for this process.

Special Situations

Students Working Part-Time

If you're on a student visa with work rights (typically limited to 48 hours per fortnight during study periods), you still need a TFN. The standard tax rates apply, and you'll receive the tax-free threshold if you're considered a tax resident.

Multiple Jobs

If you work multiple jobs simultaneously, you should only claim the tax-free threshold from one employer. Your other employers will withhold tax at higher rates. It balances out when you lodge your tax return.

Arriving Mid-Year

If you arrive in Australia partway through the tax year, you only pay tax on income earned during the period you were in Australia. The tax-free threshold ($18,200) is not pro-rated — you receive the full amount regardless of when you arrived.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Waiting too long to apply — apply on day one, not when you start your first job
2. Not providing your TFN to your bank — you have 28 days before interest starts being taxed at 45%
3. Sharing your TFN with unauthorised parties — keep it confidential
4. Not filing a tax return — even if you think you don't owe anything, filing ensures you receive any refund you're entitled to
5. Confusing TFN with ABN — a Tax File Number is for employees; an Australian Business Number is for business owners and contractors. You may need both if you do contract work.
6. Ignoring the tax year dates — Australia's July-June cycle is different from many countries. Mark 30 June and 31 October in your calendar.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a TFN?

Processing takes 7-14 business days from the date of your application. Your TFN is mailed to your Australian address in a plain envelope. If you haven't received it after 28 days, contact the ATO on 13 28 61 to check the status.

Can I work without a TFN?

Yes, you can start working without a TFN, but your employer must withhold tax at the highest marginal rate (45%) until you provide one. You'll recover the excess tax when you lodge your annual tax return, but that can take months. It's far better to have your TFN before you start working.

Is a TFN the same as an ABN?

No. A Tax File Number (TFN) is for individuals and is used for employment and personal tax. An Australian Business Number (ABN) is for businesses and sole traders. If you're an employee, you only need a TFN. If you're a contractor or running a business, you may need both.

What if I lose my TFN?

Contact the ATO on 13 28 61 to recover your TFN. You'll need to verify your identity. Your TFN never changes — once issued, it stays with you for life, even if you leave Australia and return later.

Do I need a TFN if I'm only in Australia for a few months?

If you earn any income in Australia — through employment, bank interest, or investments — you should have a TFN. Even for short stays, being taxed at 45% instead of normal rates is a significant and unnecessary cost. The application is free and the number lasts for life, so there's no reason not to get one.