Background
The Tax Office, in conjunction with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) has developed an online registration process that will enable permanent migrants and temporary visitors to Australia to apply for an individual tax file number (TFN) via the internet.
You can apply for a TFN online any time if you are a permanent migrant or temporary visitor to Australia, are in Australia, and you have a:
- visa that allows work rights
- visa that allows permanent migration, or
- valid visa to stay in Australia indefinitely.
What is a TFN?
A TFN is a unique number issued to a person by the Tax Office.
While you do not have to have a TFN, it is to your advantage to have one.
If you do not have a TFN you may:
- pay more tax than necessary, or
- not be able to get government benefits you are entitled to receive.
Only one TFN is issued to you for your lifetime. Therefore it is essential for you to keep it secure. Once a TFN has been issued to you, there is no need to re-apply for one if your circumstances change – for example, if you move interstate, change jobs, change your name, have investments, or claim government benefits.
Why you may need a TFN
A TFN will assist you when you:
- work in Australia
- lodge a tax return
- ask about your personal tax affairs
- apply for certain income assistance or support payments (such as pensions or benefits from either Centrelink or the Department of Veterans' Affairs)
- make or receive payments under the pay as you go system, and
- have savings accounts or investments that earn income – for example, interest or dividends.
Working in Australia
If you are authorised by DIAC to work in Australia, it is to your advantage to have a TFN.
Who can use the online system to apply for a TFN?
The online registration system can be used by migrants and temporary visitors to Australia who are actually in Australia. These include working holiday makers, New Zealanders (who get a visa upon arrival), permanent migrants, overseas students who have had their visa amended to allow them to work, and people with a business class visa.
Applying online means you will not need to provide physical documentation as proof of identity.
How does the online TFN registration system work?
When applying for a TFN online, the TFN registration system will compare your personal and travel document details with those held on DIAC systems. If your details are validated by DIAC, the application will progress through the TFN registration system. This process may take up to 28 days, the address you provide must remain current during this time.
How to apply for a TFN online
The online TFN registration system is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Where technical difficulties are experienced, such as computer down time, you will be advised to try again later. Alternatively, you will also have the option to download a paper version of the application to complete and submit by post, or in person.
Benefits
By applying for a TFN online, applicants will:
- be able to apply 24 hours a day 7 days a week
- be able to apply for and receive their TFN quicker, and
- not have to queue to lodge a paper application at a Tax Office shopfront.
If the transaction is successful, the system will issue a receipt number and the TFN advice will be sent to the Australian address you have provided as part of the details in your application.
Your privacy
The Tax Office is authorised by the Income Tax Assessment Act (1936) to ask for information on the TFN application. The Tax Office needs this information to help administer laws relating to taxation, Commonwealth benefits and superannuation.
We may give this information to other government agencies authorised by law to receive it. For example, Commonwealth agencies which administer laws relevant to your particular situation. Depending on your situation these agencies could include Centrelink, the Australian Federal Police, the Child Support Agency, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.
Last Modified: Tuesday, 13 January 2009
Subscribe
