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Australian citizens with a Strong Digital ID – TFN application

Australian citizens who are at least 15 years old can apply for a TFN online using a Strong Digital ID.

Last updated 17 November 2025

Eligibility to apply for a TFN online

Apply for a tax file number (TFN) online using your Digital ID 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 a Strong Digital ID, such as a Strong myID.

If you're unable to apply online using your Digital ID, you can apply using another 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 appExternal Link 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
    • drivers licence (including learners permit)
    • Medicare card
  • verify your photo – a one-off face verification check which involves taking a selfie, that's compared to the photo on your passport. This process checks that you’re a real person, the right person and verifying in real time.

Note: If you hold a Western Australian drivers licence, you also have the option to use it to verify your photo and achieve a Strong identity strength – when combined with other identity documents.

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 Strong myIDExternal Link:

  • 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.

After you apply

In most cases, you should receive your TFN straight away. Your application summary will then include a record of your TFN.

If you do not receive your TFN straight away, your application may need further processing, which can take up to 28 days. If this is the case, a reference number will display on the screen and in your application summary, which can be used to follow up on the progress of your application. If you haven't received your TFN after 28 days, contact us.

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 and member services, including the ATO. To sign in, select Sign in with Digital ID on the myGov Sign in page. Once you access ATO online services using your Digital ID, you must always use it to access ATO online services. This is because it's the most secure access method.

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

For support with 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 access to 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, you can select an alternative method to apply for a TFN.

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