Tax File Number Application: Apply for a TFN in Australia

Few administrative steps in Australia unlock as many doors as getting a tax file number (TFN). Applying is free and mostly digital, but the exact process depends on whether you’re in Australia or abroad, and what kind of visa you hold.

Cost to apply: Free · Processing time (online): Immediate · Processing time (paper): Up to 28 days · Age requirement: None (under 18 needs guardian) · Eligible applicants: Australian residents, non-residents, tourists with valid visa

Six key facts, one pattern: every path is free, but the speed and complexity vary by applicant type.

How do I apply for a tax file number?

Eligibility criteria for Australian residents

• You generally need a TFN if you are in Australia for work, study or other purposes (ATO – eligibility).
• Australian residents, permanent migrants, and temporary visa holders with work rights can apply.
• There is no age limit; applicants under 18 need a parent or guardian to consent.

Required documents and identity verification

• You need proof of identity such as a passport, birth certificate, or Australian visa.
• For online applications, you typically provide details online and the system verifies in real time.
• For paper applications, certified copies of original documents must be sent by mail (ATO – paper instructions).

Online application via myGov or ATO

• Log in to myGov and link to the ATO’s online services.
• Complete the TFN application form digitally — it’s immediate and free.
• Foreign passport holders, permanent migrants and temporary visitors who are in Australia can use this path (ATO – online pathway).

Paper application (NAT 1432 form)

• If you cannot apply online or attend an Australia Post interview, use the paper form NAT 1432.
• Order the form online, by phone on 1300 720 092, or at a Services Australia centre (ATO – how to get the form).
• Send the completed form and certified copies of identity documents to PO Box 9942, Moonee Ponds VIC 3039.
• Processing takes up to 28 days.

The implication: if you’re in Australia with a valid visa, the digital-first approach saves you weeks. For those without reliable internet, the paper route works, but expect a wait.

How do I apply for TFN outside Australia?

Eligibility for non-residents and temporary visitors

• If you are living outside Australia and are a foreign resident for tax purposes, you can still apply for a TFN.
• The ATO requires that you use the paper form designed for overseas applicants (ATO – outside Australia page).
• You must not be in Australia at the time of application.

Applying online while overseas

• The online pathway is generally only available to people physically in Australia. If you are overseas, the standard online option may not work.
• However, the ATO’s overseas application form can be downloaded and completed, then returned by mail.

Paper application from outside Australia

• Complete the form “Tax file number – application or enquiry for individuals living outside Australia” (ATO – overseas application form).
• If you cannot download it, order it online or call 1300 720 092.
• Attach certified copies of original identity documents — the ATO does not accept digital copies for overseas applications.
• Mail everything to the address on the form.

Supporting documents for foreign nationals

• You need a valid passport and proof of foreign address.
• Certified copies must be made by an authorised person (e.g., a notary public, police officer, or Australian diplomatic mission).

What this means: If you’re abroad, plan on a 28-day wait and budget for postage. The trade-off is that once you have a TFN, it remains valid even after you move to Australia.

Where can I find my tax file number?

Retrieving TFN via myGov

• Log in to myGov and link your account to the ATO. Your TFN will be displayed in your profile (myGov – Australian government digital services portal).
• If you have never linked before, you may need to answer identity questions.

Using the ATO app or online services

• The ATO app and online services also show your TFN once you log in with myGov.
• This is the quickest way to retrieve a lost number.

Contacting the ATO by phone or in person

• If you cannot access online, call the ATO at 13 28 61. They will verify your identity before releasing your TFN.
• You can also visit a Services Australia centre with identity documents.

Checking previous tax returns or payslips

• Your TFN appears on notices of assessment from past tax returns and on payslips from employers.
• If you have filed a return, the ATO’s online services will have it.

Why this matters: the fastest route is digital. If you have no online access, the phone option works but takes longer.

How long does it take to get a TFN?

Online application processing time

• Online applications are processed instantly — you receive your TFN immediately after submitting (ATO – instant processing).

Paper application processing time

• Paper applications take up to 28 days from when the ATO receives your completed form and documents (ATO – paper processing timeline).
• Overseas mail can add extra days.

Expedited cases and delays

• If documents are incomplete or identity cannot be verified, processing will be delayed.
• There is no priority or expedited service.

What to do if you haven’t received your TFN

• If you applied by paper and 28 days have passed, contact the ATO.
• If you applied online, the TFN is immediate, so a delay suggests a technical issue.

The pattern: online is instant, paper is a month. For anyone in a hurry, the digital route is the only sensible choice — provided you meet the eligibility.

Can tourists apply for TFN?

Eligibility for tourists with a work visa

• Tourists can apply only if they hold a valid visa that permits work (e.g., Working Holiday visa, Student visa with work rights) (Department of Home Affairs – visa types).
• Tourists without work rights cannot apply for a TFN.

Application steps for tourists

• The process is the same as for residents: apply online if in Australia, or by paper if outside.
• You will need your passport and visa details.

TFN validity while on a tourist visa

• Once issued, your TFN is linked to you personally and remains valid even if your visa changes or expires (ATO – TFN lifetime validity).
• You can use the same TFN on future visits if you work again.

Differences between tourist and resident applications

• Tourists may need to provide additional identity verification if they lack Australian driver licences or Medicare cards.
• The ATO accepts foreign passports as primary identity documents.

The trade-off: tourists who qualify for work can get a TFN quickly online, but those without work rights are locked out entirely.

Pros and cons of the TFN application process

The process is free and fast for those in Australia, but slower for overseas applicants. Knowing your category helps you choose the right channel.

Confirmed facts and what’s still unclear

The ATO’s guidance is clear on most points, but individual visa cases may need extra verification.

What the authorities say

“You can apply for a TFN online or by paper depending on your circumstances and residency status. It is free to apply.”

— Australian Taxation Office (ATO) – official website

“You can find your tax file number (TFN) online through myGov. If you’ve never had a TFN before, it’s free to apply.”

— myGov – Australian government online portal

Both sources confirm two things: the process is free, and digital access is the easiest route for most applicants.

Summary: what matters for your TFN application

Whether you’re an Australian resident, a worker on a temporary visa, or a student arriving from abroad, the ATO has made the TFN application straightforward – but only if you choose the right channel. Online is instant, free, and covers everyone in Australia with a valid visa. Paper is the fallback for those abroad or without digital access, but you’ll wait up to 28 days. For tourists without work rights, there’s no shortcut: you simply cannot get a TFN until your visa changes. For anyone in Australia who needs a TFN tomorrow, the message is clear: open a myGov account, apply online, and you’re done in minutes.

Frequently asked questions