How to Get a TFN in Australia — Complete Guide for Indians (2026)

Getting a Tax File Number (TFN) should be one of the very first things you do when you arrive in Australia. Without one, your employer is legally required to withhold 45% tax on everything you earn — with no tax-free threshold. With one, you pay the correct rate and keep significantly more of your money.

The good news: applying for a TFN is completely free, takes about 15 minutes online, and you do not need to send any documents.

What Is a TFN?

A Tax File Number (TFN) is your unique 9-digit personal tax identification number issued by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). It identifies you in Australia's tax system for your entire life.

You use your TFN to:

• Tell your employer so they tax you correctly
• Lodge your annual tax return
• Open certain bank accounts and investments
• Access government services through myGov
• Apply for an ABN (if you ever run a business)

Your TFN is yours forever. If you leave Australia and return years later, your TFN remains the same.

What Happens Without a TFN?

Without a TFN, your employer withholds 45% tax on every dollar you earn, with no tax-free threshold applied. For context:

• Earn $1,000 → $450 tax withheld → $550 take home (without TFN)
• Earn $1,000 → correct tax rate applied → significantly more take home (with TFN)

You can still start working without a TFN — you have 28 days to provide it to your employer. But apply immediately to avoid losing money unnecessarily.

Need a Hindi-speaking accountant to help with your taxes? AustraliaWasi lists Indian accountants across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth who specialise in NRI tax situations → Find Indian Accountants

Who Can Apply for a TFN?

You can apply for a TFN if you are:

• A foreign passport holder in Australia with a valid visa
• An Australian citizen
• An Australian permanent resident
• A New Zealand citizen living in Australia

You must be physically in Australia at the time of application for the online process. The ATO verifies your visa status with the Department of Home Affairs in real time. You cannot apply from India before you arrive.

Your visa must be visible in the ATO system — this usually happens within 24 hours of your visa being granted. If you just arrived and your visa is not showing yet, wait one business day and try again.

What Documents Do You Need?

For the online application you need:

• Your passport (Indian passport is fine)
• Your Australian visa details (visa subclass number and grant date)
• Your Australian address (even a temporary address like a friend's house or hotel is fine — but make sure post can be delivered there)
• Your phone number (recommended for contact)
• Your email address

You do not need to upload or send any documents. The ATO verifies everything electronically with immigration records.

Step-by-Step: How to Apply for a TFN Online

Step 1: Go to the ATO Website

Go to ato.gov.au and search for "Apply for a TFN" or navigate directly to ato.gov.au/iar (Individual Auto Registration). This is the only free, legitimate way to apply online. Never pay a third-party website to process your TFN application.

Step 2: Choose Your Category

Select: "Foreign passport holders, permanent migrants and temporary visitors"

This applies to Indian nationals on any visa type — student, skilled worker, partner visa, working holiday, or permanent resident.

Step 3: Complete the Online Form

You will enter:

• Your name (exactly as on your passport)
• Date of birth
• Passport number and country (India)
• Visa subclass and grant date
• Your Australian residential address
• Contact details (phone and email)

The form takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. Double-check every detail — errors can delay processing.

Step 4: Submit and Save Your Reference Number

After submitting, you will receive a personal reference number (PRN) from the ATO. Save this — you will need it if you need to follow up.

Note: submitting the application is not the same as receiving your TFN. Your TFN will be sent by post.

Step 5: Receive Your TFN by Post

The ATO will mail your TFN to the Australian address you provided within 7 to 28 days (most people receive it within 10 business days).

The letter arrives in a plain white envelope with no ATO branding on the outside — easy to miss or mistake for junk mail. Make sure your name is on the letterbox and someone is collecting the mail.

If your TFN does not arrive after 28 days, call the ATO on 13 28 61 (Monday to Friday, 8am–6pm AEST) with your reference number.

Step 6: Give Your TFN to Your Employer

Once you receive your TFN, give it to your employer in writing as soon as possible. You can also tell your bank if you want to avoid extra tax on interest income.

You can also link your TFN to your myGov account to access ATO services online — file your tax return, check payment summaries, update your address, and more.

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Can I Get My TFN Immediately?

If you are an Australian citizen with a Strong myID (the government's digital identity app), you can receive your TFN immediately online without waiting for a letter. For most Indian migrants on visas, the postal method applies and takes 7–28 days.

The myID fast track requires an Australian passport or specific Australian documents for identity verification, which most new Indian arrivals do not yet have.

TFN vs ABN — What Is the Difference?

This is one of the most common questions from Indians arriving in Australia.

TFN (Tax File Number):

• For individuals
• Used for employment, tax returns, investment income
• Everyone needs one
• Applied for through the ATO
• Free

ABN (Australian Business Number):

• For businesses and sole traders
• Used when you provide services as a contractor or run your own business
• Not everyone needs one — only if you are self-employed or freelancing
• Applied for through the Australian Business Register (abr.gov.au)
• Free
• Requires a TFN first

If you are employed by a company in Australia (on a payroll), you only need a TFN. If you work as a contractor, freelancer or run your own business, you need both a TFN and an ABN.

Tax Rates in Australia 2026

Once you have your TFN, these are the income tax rates for Australian tax residents:

Income	Tax Rate
$0 – $18,200	0% (tax-free threshold)
$18,201 – $45,000	16%
$45,001 – $120,000	30%
$120,001 – $180,000	37%
Over $180,000	45%

Plus a 2% Medicare Levy applies to most income above the tax-free threshold for eligible residents.

Without a TFN, you are taxed at 45% on every dollar with no tax-free threshold — no matter how little you earn.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a TFN take to arrive?

Typically 7–28 days by post to your Australian address. Most arrive within 10 business days.

Is applying for a TFN free?

Yes. The ATO does not charge any fee. Never pay a third-party website to apply on your behalf.

Can I start work before I receive my TFN?

Yes. You have 28 days to provide your TFN to your employer after starting work. Your employer should withhold 45% tax until you provide it, but once you do, the correct rate applies going forward.

Do I need a TFN if I am on a tourist visa?

If you are not working in Australia, you do not need a TFN. If you are on a tourist visa you generally cannot work in Australia anyway.

What if I lose my TFN?

Your TFN is confidential and not replaced. Contact the ATO on 13 28 61 or log into myGov to find your TFN. Never share your TFN publicly.

Will my TFN work if I come back to Australia after leaving?

Yes. Your TFN is issued for life. If you left Australia and return years later, your TFN remains the same.

Do I need to lodge a tax return every year?

If you earned income in Australia during the financial year (1 July to 30 June), you generally need to lodge a tax return by 31 October. Indian accountants listed on AustraliaWasi can help you lodge correctly, especially if you have overseas income to declare.

Find an Indian accountant near you: Indian accountants across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth who understand NRI tax obligations → Browse Indian Accountants