How to get your TFN in Australia (Working Holiday guide)
Your Tax File Number (TFN) is one of the first things to sort out after you land in Australia. It's free, it's quick, and without it you'll pay far more tax than you need to. Here's exactly how it works.
Figures change. Always check the source.
Tax rates, visa fees, and day counts move year to year. When we quote them, we link the official source — treat that as the final authority.
What is a TFN?
A Tax File Number is your personal reference number in the Australian tax system. It's a nine-digit number issued by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), it's yours for life, and you use the same one for every job you ever have in Australia — even if you leave and come back years later on a different visa.
You give it to each employer when you start work. You don't have to have one to work, but without it your employer withholds tax at the highest rate, so getting it is the difference between keeping your money and lending it to the government until you claim it back.
When can you apply?
You can only apply once you're physically in Australia and hold a visa with work rights, like the Working Holiday (subclass 417) or Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa. You can't apply before you arrive.
Apply as soon as you land. There's no reason to wait, and having it ready means you can start work the moment you're offered a job.
What you need before you start
Before you begin the online application, have these ready:
- Your passport
- An Australian postal address where the TFN can be sent
- An Australian mobile number
- A valid email address
A note on the address: your TFN is confidential, so think twice about using a hostel address if lots of people pass through. If a hostel is your only option, ask reception how they handle mail for guests.
How to apply, step by step
The fastest way is online through the ATO's Individual Auto-Registration (IAR) system. Applying is free — you never pay anyone for a TFN, and you don't need an agent.
- Go to the official ATO application (linked in the sources below) and choose the option for foreign passport holders and temporary visitors.
- Enter your travel document details — passport number, nationality, and whether you've been to Australia before.
- Enter your personal details, matching your passport exactly.
- Enter your Australian address and contact details.
- Review everything carefully, then submit.
At the end you'll get an application reference number. That's not your TFN — it's proof you applied. Save it. You can use it to follow up if your TFN doesn't arrive.
When will it arrive?
The ATO sends your TFN by post to your Australian address, usually within 28 days, though it's often faster. If it hasn't arrived after 28 days, you can contact the ATO with your reference number.
You don't have to wait for it before you start working. Once you begin a job, you have 28 days to give your employer your TFN. Just tell them you've applied and it's on the way.
Why it matters for your tax
If your employer is registered as an employer of working holiday makers and you've given them your TFN, they withhold tax at the working-holiday-maker rate on your earnings up to a set threshold, with higher rates above it. Without a TFN, you're taxed at a much higher flat rate.
Tax rates and thresholds change from year to year, so check the current working-holiday-maker rates at the ATO before relying on a specific number. The important thing is simple: get your TFN early, and you keep more of what you earn.