Newcomer guide
Getting a Tax File Number (TFN)
A Tax File Number, or TFN, is your personal number for tax and government payments in Australia. You need one to work and to be taxed correctly. It is free, and most newcomers can apply online.
Last updated 13 July 2026
What a TFN is, in plain terms
A Tax File Number is your personal number for the Australian tax system. Think of it like a tax ID. You use it when you start a job, when you open a bank account, and when you deal with government services. You keep the same number for the rest of your life, even if you change your job, your address, or your visa.
It is issued by the Australian Taxation Office, usually written as the ATO.
Who needs one
You need a TFN if you plan to work, or if you want to be taxed at the normal rate rather than the highest one. Students, working-holiday visa holders, skilled workers and permanent residents all use a TFN.
You can live in Australia for a short time without one, but the moment you want a job, a TFN is the first thing your employer will ask for.
How to apply, step by step
Most newcomers use the ATO's online application for people with a foreign passport. The steps are short:
- Be in Australia with a valid visa. The online form checks your visa automatically, so there is nothing to upload.
- Go to the official ATO website and find the page for applying for a TFN. Start at ato.gov.au and search for "tax file number". Only use the government site.
- Fill in your details. You will need your passport, your Australian address, and your arrival details.
- Submit. You do not pay anything. The ATO posts your TFN to your Australian address.
- Wait up to 28 days. Your number arrives by mail. Keep it somewhere safe and private.
What to do once you have it
- Give it to your employer. When you start a job you fill in a short "TFN declaration". This tells your employer how much tax to take from your pay.
- Give it to your bank. This stops the bank withholding extra tax on your interest. See our guide on opening a bank account.
- Keep it private. Your TFN is sensitive. Share it only with your employer, your bank, your super fund, and the ATO. Never post it online or send it to a stranger.
A note on tax while you wait
You are allowed to start work before your TFN arrives. Tell your employer that you have applied. You then have 28 days to give them the number. If those 28 days pass without it, tax is taken from your pay at the top rate until you provide it. That extra tax comes back to you later, but it is easier to just apply early.
A TFN is one of those small tasks that unlocks the bigger ones. Once you have it, starting a job and getting paid the right way both become simple.
Frequently asked questions
- What is a Tax File Number?
- A TFN is a unique number the Australian Taxation Office gives you for tax and superannuation. You keep the same number for life, even if you change jobs or visas.
- Is a TFN free?
- Yes. Applying for a TFN is completely free through the Australian Taxation Office. If a website asks you to pay for one, it is not the official service.
- When can I apply for a TFN?
- Most people apply once they are in Australia and hold a valid visa. Foreign passport holders can apply online through the ATO, and your visa is checked automatically.
- How long does it take to get a TFN?
- The ATO says it can take up to 28 days to post your TFN to your Australian address. You can start work before it arrives, so apply as soon as you can.
- Can I work in Australia without a TFN?
- You can start a job while your TFN is on the way, but give it to your employer within 28 days. Without it, you are taxed at the highest rate until you provide it.