Applying for a Tax File Number (TFN) in Australia is one of the first things you should do when you arrive. The process is free, entirely online, and takes around 10 minutes. As a working holiday maker, there are a few things worth knowing before you start.
Who processes your TFN application
TFN applications for foreign passport holders are handled by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). You apply directly through the ATO website and your TFN is sent to you by post within around 28 days of your application being approved. There is no in-person appointment required.
What you need before you apply
Before starting your application, make sure you have your passport available. You will need your passport number, your date of birth, your visa details, and a residential address in Australia where the ATO can send your TFN by letter. If you have not yet found permanent accommodation, a hostel address works fine as long as you are confident you will still be there when the letter arrives.
You will also need a valid email address. The ATO will send you a confirmation when your application is received and another when it is processed.
The application process step by step
You start the application on the ATO website by selecting the option for foreign passport holders. You then enter your personal details, your passport and visa information, and your Australian address. The form takes around 10 minutes to complete. Once submitted, you will receive a reference number by email confirming that your application is in progress.
Your TFN itself will arrive as a letter to your Australian address within 28 days. Keep this letter in a safe place. While the ATO can help you retrieve your TFN later if you lose it, it is much easier to have it on hand.
Can you start work before your TFN arrives
Yes. You can begin working before your TFN arrives, but you should inform your employer that your application is in progress. If you can, show them the confirmation email from the ATO as evidence. Some employers will use a lower withholding rate in the meantime, though technically they are required to withhold at 47% until they have your TFN on file. Any excess tax withheld during this period can be recovered through your tax return.
Once your TFN arrives
When your TFN letter arrives, fill in a Tax File Number Declaration form for each employer you work for and return it to them promptly. This is what triggers the correct 15% working holiday maker tax rate on your wages. Once your employer has that form, you should see the correct amount being withheld from your next pay.
Your TFN also opens the door to lodging a tax return and accessing your superannuation when you are ready to leave Australia.
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What is a TFN and why do you need one in Australia?
A Tax File Number is the first thing you need when you start working in Australia. Without one, your employer must withhold nearly half your pay.