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Create ResumeIf you’re an international worker in Australia, getting a Tax File Number (TFN) is one of the first things you should do after arriving. Without a TFN, you’ll usually pay significantly higher tax rates, face payroll delays, and may run into issues with superannuation, banking, and government records.
For most international workers, the process is straightforward. You apply online through the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), verify your identity using your passport and visa details, then wait for the TFN to arrive by post. Most applicants receive it within 28 days, although many receive it sooner.
The biggest mistakes international workers make are not applying early enough, entering visa details incorrectly, misunderstanding tax residency rules, or assuming they can start work without one. In reality, many Australian employers expect you to have either a TFN or proof you’ve applied before your first pay cycle.
This guide explains exactly how TFNs work for international workers in Australia, including eligibility, application steps, processing times, tax rules, employer expectations, and common problems that delay approval.
A Tax File Number (TFN) is your personal tax identification number issued by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).
It’s used to:
Track your tax obligations
Link your employment income to your tax records
Manage superannuation contributions
Prevent higher withholding tax rates
Access government systems and tax services
Lodge tax returns correctly
Your TFN stays with you for life, even if:
You change employers
Technically, you can start working before receiving your TFN, but practically, most employers strongly prefer you to apply immediately.
Without a TFN:
Employers must withhold tax at the highest marginal rate
Payroll processing can become complicated
Some employers may delay onboarding
You may experience superannuation issues
Banking and tax records may not align properly
In Australian hiring practice, employers generally expect international workers to:
Already have a TFN, or
Provide proof they’ve applied for one
You leave Australia and return later
You switch visa types
You become a permanent resident
For international workers, the TFN is essential for legal employment and proper taxation.
This is especially common in:
Hospitality
Construction
Healthcare
Retail
Warehousing
Temporary labour hire
Graduate recruitment programs
Recruiters and hiring managers often view delayed TFN applications as poor preparation, particularly for roles requiring immediate start dates.
You can apply for a TFN if you are:
A temporary visa holder with work rights
An international student allowed to work
A working holiday visa holder
A skilled migrant
A permanent resident
A New Zealand citizen working in Australia
You generally need:
A valid passport
A valid Australian visa with work rights
An Australian postal address
Common visa types include:
Subclass 417 Working Holiday visa
Subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa
Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa
Student visas with work rights
Permanent skilled migration visas
Most international workers apply online through the ATO.
You’ll usually need:
Passport
Australian visa details
Australian residential or postal address
Australian contact number if available
Ensure your visa status is active before applying.
One of the most common application problems is mismatched passport details. Your application must exactly match:
Passport spelling
Date of birth
Visa information
Even small inconsistencies can delay processing.
You complete the TFN application through the Australian Taxation Office.
The application typically asks for:
Personal details
Arrival information
Visa details
Address information
Employment intentions
The process is relatively simple and usually takes around 20–30 minutes.
Most TFNs arrive within:
28 days officially
Often sooner in practice
Your TFN is sent by mail to your Australian address.
You normally do not receive it instantly online.
Yes.
You can legally start work while your TFN application is processing.
However:
You should apply immediately
Inform your employer you’ve applied
Provide the TFN once received
Australian employers are familiar with this situation, particularly in industries that regularly hire:
Backpackers
Students
Skilled migrants
Temporary workers
The key issue is demonstrating that you’ve already started the process.
Your TFN does not expire.
It remains linked to your identity permanently, regardless of:
Visa changes
Employer changes
Residency changes
Time spent outside Australia
If you return to Australia years later, you use the same TFN.
This is where many international workers make expensive mistakes.
Without a TFN:
Employers withhold significantly more tax
Your take-home pay drops
Tax refunds become more complicated
Super contributions can become harder to track
Many new arrivals incorrectly assume they can “sort it out later”.
From a recruiter and employer perspective, delaying your TFN creates avoidable payroll admin issues.
In competitive hiring markets, employers often prioritise candidates who are immediately compliant and ready to start.
A major point of confusion is the difference between:
TFN
ABN (Australian Business Number)
A TFN is for tax identification as an individual employee.
An ABN is generally for:
Contractors
Sole traders
Freelancers
Business operators
Some employers incorrectly pressure international workers into getting an ABN instead of employing them properly.
This is common in:
Delivery platforms
Cleaning services
Construction subcontracting
Gig economy roles
Be cautious.
An ABN arrangement changes:
Tax obligations
Superannuation responsibilities
Workers compensation protections
Employment rights
If you’re genuinely working as an employee, you still need a TFN.
International workers often misunderstand Australian tax residency rules.
Your visa type does not automatically determine your tax residency.
The ATO assesses factors such as:
Length of stay
Living arrangements
Work arrangements
Intent to remain in Australia
This matters because tax rates differ significantly between:
Australian residents for tax purposes
Foreign residents for tax purposes
Many international workers accidentally overpay or underpay tax because they misunderstand this distinction.
Some workers wait until they secure employment.
This creates:
Payroll delays
Higher withholding tax
Frustration during onboarding
The best approach is applying as soon as you arrive in Australia.
Visa details must match official immigration records.
Errors often occur when:
A visa was recently granted
Passport renewals occurred
Multiple visas exist historically
Your TFN is mailed physically.
Using:
Temporary hostels
Unstable accommodation
Incorrect unit numbers
can result in lost mail.
Your TFN is sensitive personal information.
Never:
Post it publicly
Share it casually online
Send it through unsecured channels
Identity fraud involving TFNs does occur.
Australian employers increasingly expect international candidates to arrive job-ready.
That includes:
Work rights
Bank account setup
TFN application
Local contact details
Basic understanding of Australian payroll systems
From a recruiter’s perspective, candidates who understand these basics appear:
More organised
Lower risk
Easier to onboard
More employable immediately
This matters particularly in fast-moving hiring environments where employers need staff quickly.
Indirectly, yes.
A TFN itself does not determine employability, but readiness does.
Employers favour candidates who:
Can legally work immediately
Understand Australian compliance expectations
Reduce administrative delays
Candidates who arrive prepared often progress faster through:
Casual hiring
Temp recruitment
Labour hire onboarding
Hospitality recruitment
Retail hiring surges
In industries with urgent staffing needs, employers may simply move to another candidate if onboarding becomes complicated.
Yes.
International students with work rights can apply for a TFN.
This is extremely common in:
Hospitality
Retail
Customer service
University support roles
Casual administrative work
Student visa holders should apply before beginning work.
Many universities also advise international students to arrange:
TFN
Bank account
Super fund
Medicare status understanding
within their first weeks in Australia.
Your TFN also links to your superannuation.
Without a TFN:
Super contributions may still occur
But tracking them becomes harder
Consolidation becomes more difficult
Future withdrawals may become delayed
This is particularly important for temporary residents planning to later claim:
Keeping TFN records accurate helps avoid future administrative issues.
One thing many overseas workers misunderstand is how quickly recruiters assess readiness.
When reviewing international candidates, recruiters often evaluate:
Work rights clarity
Availability
Local setup readiness
Payroll readiness
Communication confidence
Understanding of Australian work culture
Candidates who already have:
A TFN
Local phone number
Australian address
Clear visa information
generally progress more smoothly.
This doesn’t mean international workers are disadvantaged.
But preparation absolutely influences hiring speed.
Before applying for jobs in Australia, ideally have:
TFN application completed
Australian mobile number
Local address
Australian-style resume
Clear work rights explanation
Availability confirmed
This dramatically improves recruiter confidence during screening.
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