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Australian citizens with an Australian passport – TFN application

Australian citizens, at least 15 years old with an Australian passport can apply for a TFN online using a Digital ID.

Last updated 11 May 2025

Eligibility to apply online

Apply for a tax file number (TFN) online using your Digital ID, such as myIDExternal Link, to generally receive it straight away. Once you have your TFN, you can start accessing myGov and ATO online services.

To apply for a TFN online, you must:

  • be at least 15 years old
  • have an Australian passport – it can be up to 3 years expired
  • be an Australian citizen – that is people who either  
    • were born in Australia, and one of their parents was an Australian permanent resident or citizen on the day they were born
    • have an Australian citizenship certificate
  • have at least one other Australian identity document – for example, a driver’s licence.

You will also need to set up a Strong Digital ID, such as a Strong myID.

If you don’t have an Australian passport or aren't 15 years or older, apply using an alternative option. See Australian residents – TFN application.

Apply online with myID

To apply for your TFN online using myID, you will need to:

Set up your Strong myID

To set up your Strong myIDExternal Link:

  • download the myID app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store on your compatible smart device
  • enter your personal details, including your:
    • full name
    • date of birth
    • personal email address – if you have an existing myGov account, the email address you provide for myID needs to match
  • verify your Australian Passport and one of the following Australian identity documents:
    • citizenship certificate
    • driver’s licence (including learner’s permit)
    • Medicare card
  • do a face verification check – this is like a selfie that's compared to the photo on your passport. It's a one-off process to check that you’re a real person, the right person and verified in real time.

To find out how to update your myID email to match your myGov account, see Updating your myID email addressExternal Link.

Apply for your TFN

Once you are ready to apply for your TFN using your Digital ID, such as myID:

  • review and agree to the Terms and conditions
  • select Continue with Digital ID
  • confirm that you have a Digital ID – if you have an existing myGov account, the email address you provide for myID needs to match
  • sign in to your myGov account or create an account – a prompt will ask you to connect your Digital ID
  • complete your TFN application.

Apply for your TFN online:

Commonwealth Coat of ArmsContinue with Digital ID

Digital IDOpens in a new window is a safe, secure and convenient way to prove and reuse your ID online.

In most cases, you should receive your TFN straight away. Once your application is complete, you can download or print a summary of it. If your TFN is displayed on screen, your application summary will include a record of your TFN.

Once your online TFN application is processed, your myGov account will be automatically linked to ATO online services. A letter with your TFN will also be sent to your myGov Inbox.

You can then use your Digital ID to sign in to your myGov account to access government online services, including the ATO, Medicare and Centrelink. To sign in with your Digital ID, select Continue with Digital ID on the myGov sign in page.

After you've accessed ATO online services using your Digital ID, you must continue to access ATO online services using it. This is because it's the most secure access method.

If your TFN isn’t displayed on screen, your application may need further processing – this can take up to 28 days. A reference number will display on the screen, this can be used to follow up on the progress of your application.

If you haven't received your TFN after 28 days, contact us.

This service may be impacted in part or in full by ATO system maintenance.

For known issues or errors and troubleshooting, see Help and support for online services – individuals.

Terms and conditions

By applying online for your TFN you:

  • are consenting to receive your TFN on screen
  • are consenting to not receive your TFN by post
  • will have the option to download and print your TFN
  • will have your myGov account linked to ATO online member services
  • have read the ATO myGov terms and conditions and privacy notices and agreed that  
    • your myGov Inbox will be your address for the ATO to send communications to electronically. Where an ATO communication is unable to be sent electronically, we will send the communication to the postal address we have on record for you
    • your myGov Inbox will remain your address for the ATO to send electronic communications to that you have not authorised to be sent to your Tax or BAS agent (if you have one). If you have an agent, you may authorise them to receive some or all of your ATO communications electronically
    • myGov may notify you when mail is sent to your myGov Inbox and that you agree to regularly access your myGov Inbox to check for ATO communications
    • you understand that to access ATO online services through myGov, you must use either your Digital ID, myGov security codes or the myGov Code Generator to confirm your identity
  • nominate Services Australia on behalf of the Commonwealth of Australia to receive and disclose information about you for the purposes of managing your myGov account.

If you don't consent, select an alternative method to apply for a TFN.

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