GET YOUR TAX FILE NUMBER (TFN) AS SOON AS YOU ARRIVE IN AUSTRALIA

I arrived in Australia as an international student.

Shortly after my arrival I noticed how expensive Australia really is. I came from Latin America and the change of currency was literally bringing my savings into “zero”.

I needed to get a job as soon as possible!
(This is actually the great thing about being an international student in Australia:
Your student visa allows you to work up to 40 hours per fortnight during the academic year and full-time during official university semester break, which are 4 months a year: December, January, February and July)

• I was paying the degree with my own money.
• I needed cash to spend in social activities, and
• I also needed to get local experience.

I started looking for a job.
After a while, and many resumes distributed all over the city, a prospective employer contacted me (FINALLY!!).

The first question he asked was: “What’s your TFN? We also need your Bank account details “.

I was like: “GIVE ME YOUR WHAT?!? and I NEED A LOCAL BANK ACCOUNT?!”.

Luckyly they gave me a bit of time and waited for these documents to be finalised.

This is the reason I’m writing this post.
To let you know that these are the first two things you need to set-up before you get a job.
In this particular post you will learn how to get your TFN. (read our other post on “how to open an Australian Bank Account”)

HOW TO GET A TAX FILE NUMBER (TFN) AS AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT

Before you work in Australia you will need to be issued with a Tax File Number (TFN) from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).

When you come to study in Australia for six months or more, you’re seen  as an Australian resident for tax purposes (in the eyes of the ATO).

What this means is that International students (YOU) have to pay tax on your earnings (same as any other resident). You will  have the benefits as well: tax free-threshold, offset and lower tax rates because of your international student status.
But this is getting too complicated. So please look for details and the FAQ at the Australian Taxation Office (ATO)website.

You can apply for a tax file number online from the Australian Tax Office (ATO).

You need to meet these conditions:

• You are a foreign passport holder, permanent migrant or temporary visitor.
• You are already in Australia.
• Your are a holder of an overseas student visa
• You have a valid passport or relevant travel documents.

ATO will compare your personal and travel document details with Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) records. This means you don’t need to provide proof of identity at the time of application.

ATO will send your TFN to the Australian address you provide on your application within 28 days

For detailed information on TFN visit the ATO website

This is what we want you to do:

Please answer the following questions and leave your comments below:

1. Did you find this post useful?
2. Do you have other tips for other fellow students?
3. Did you have trouble getting your TFN?