A Tax File Number (TFN) is your personal tax ID in Australia. You'll need it for any paid work.

Why You Need a TFN

Without a TFN, employers must withhold the highest tax rate (about 47%) from your pay. With a TFN, you'll pay the normal rate based on how much you earn.

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How to Apply

Online Application

1. Go to the ATO website
2. Select "Apply for a TFN"
3. Choose "Foreign passport holder"
4. Fill in your details
5. Submit — no documents needed to upload

Processing Time

• Usually 28 days for the TFN to arrive by post
• Apply as soon as possible after arriving

Common Questions

Can I start working before I get my TFN? Yes! You have 28 days to provide your TFN to your employer. Just make sure to give it to them once it arrives.

Is it free? Yes, applying for a TFN is completely free. Watch out for scam websites that charge fees.

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Apply early and you'll be ready to start earning as soon as you find a job!

What you need before you apply

• Your passport (the same one linked to your visa)
• An Australian residential address where post can reach you for the next month
• Your visa grant number or passport details - the ATO checks these against Home Affairs records automatically

You must already be in Australia with a visa that allows you to work. Applying from overseas will not work.

Step-by-step: the online application

1. Search for "ATO TFN application foreign passport holders" and use the ato.gov.au result. Never use a third-party site.
2. Choose the option for a foreign passport holder, permanent migrant or temporary visitor.
3. Enter your passport number exactly as printed, including any leading letters.
4. Enter your Australian postal address. If you are still in temporary accommodation, use an address you will still have access to in four weeks - a friend's place is safer than a hostel.
5. Submit. You will get a receipt number on screen. Screenshot it.

There is nothing to upload and nothing to pay. Any site charging a fee for a TFN is a reseller, not the ATO.

What happens after you submit

Stage	Typical timing
Application acknowledged	Immediately, on screen
ATO matches your details with Home Affairs	1-3 business days
TFN letter posted to your address	Up to 28 days

If 28 days pass with nothing, call the ATO on 13 28 61 with your receipt number. The most common cause of a lost TFN letter is a mistyped unit number or a mailbox without your name on it.

Starting work before your TFN arrives

You can legally start work straight away. When you begin a job your employer gives you a Tax file number declaration. Tick the box saying you have applied for a TFN - that gives you 28 days at the normal withholding rate. If you do not supply the number within 28 days, the employer must withhold at 47 percent until you do.

Giving your TFN to the right people

Give it to: your employer, your bank (so interest is not taxed at the top rate), your super fund, and Services Australia if relevant.

Never give it to: a rental agent, a share-house landlord, a "job agent" on social media, or anyone who contacts you first claiming your TFN is suspended. The ATO does not cancel TFNs by phone and does not demand payment in gift cards or crypto.

TFN vs ABN - which do you need?

A TFN is for employees. An ABN is for people running their own business, and it changes everything about how you are taxed - no PAYG withholding, you set aside your own tax, and you get no minimum wage or leave protections.

Some employers illegally ask students to get an ABN for what is really a normal job (cafes, cleaning, delivery). If you have set shifts, a supervisor and equipment provided, you are almost certainly an employee and should be on a TFN. Sham contracting is illegal - the Fair Work Ombudsman investigates it.

Linking your TFN to myGov

Once your TFN arrives, create a myGov account and link the ATO service. That lets you see income statements from every employer, check how much tax has been withheld, and lodge your return between 1 July and 31 October each year. Most students working part-time receive a refund.

Frequently asked questions

Does my TFN expire when my visa does? No. Your TFN is yours for life and will still work if you return to Australia on a new visa.

Can I have two TFNs? No, and applying twice can delay both applications. If you think you already have one, call the ATO instead of reapplying.

Do I need a TFN if I am not working? Not strictly, but you will need one for a bank account paying interest and for any scholarship stipend.