How to Get a TFN in Australia: Fastest Way, Free, and Lost TFNs

You need a TFN to work, lodge a tax return and keep your super tax down in Australia, and sooner or later almost everyone who earns here needs one. Applying is free, and there are three main routes depending on who you are. Here's each one, how long it takes, and how to find a TFN you already have.

Which TFN application route is yours?

You are	Route	How long
An Australian citizen aged 15+ with a Strong Digital ID	Apply online with myID	Generally straight away
An Australian resident without a Strong Digital ID	Online form, then verify at Australia Post	Within 28 days after Australia Post sees your documents
A permanent migrant or temporary visitor in Australia with work rights	Online Individual Auto-Registration	Posted within 28 days
Living outside Australia with Australian income	Paper application	Varies

Route one: online with myID

1. Download the myID app and set up a Strong myID.
2. Verify your Australian passport and one other Australian identity document, such as a drivers licence.
3. Complete the one-off face check, a selfie matched to your passport photo.
4. Sign in to myGov, or create an account, and connect your Digital ID.
5. Apply for your TFN. You'll generally receive it straight away.

One catch: if you already have a myGov account, the email address on your myID must match it.

Route two: Australia Post

1. Complete the online TFN application.
2. Print the application summary with your reference number.
3. Go to a participating Australia Post outlet within 30 days, with your original proof of identity documents.
4. Sign your application there. There's no fee.
5. Wait for your TFN, which should arrive within 28 days of the ATO receiving the completed application.

Don't leave the Australia Post visit too long: the 30-day window starts when you finish the online form.

Route three: migrants and visitors

If you're in Australia on a valid visa with work rights, you apply through the ATO's Individual Auto-Registration system online. You don't send documents to the ATO. New Zealanders automatically get a work rights visa when they arrive, so they can apply this way too. Your TFN is posted to the Australian address on your application within 28 days.

Here's the mistake to avoid: the ATO says not to lodge a second application during those 28 days, because it slows things down. If nothing has arrived after 28 days, contact the ATO with the receipt ID from your application.

Applying for a child or teenager

Australian residents can apply for a TFN at any age, so there's no minimum for a first job or a bank account. The online myID route needs the person to be 15 or over with a Strong identity, so younger applicants use one of the other options. Getting a TFN before a teenager's first job means their employer can withhold the right amount of tax from the start.

Starting work before your TFN arrives

If you start a job while your application is being processed, tell your employer you've applied. Then give them the number as soon as it arrives. The same goes for your super fund: once it has your TFN, it can accept personal contributions and avoid the extra tax the ATO describes.

Lost your TFN?

Where to look	Notes
ATO online services through myGov or the ATO app	The quickest way
Your notice of assessment	If you've lodged a tax return before
ATO letters	Such as a statement of account
Your payment summary or income statement	Provided by your employer

Don't apply for a new TFN if you've simply lost the number: find the one you have. If you think your TFN has been stolen or misused, the ATO asks you to tell it as soon as possible.

Why giving your TFN matters

Giving your TFN to the right people saves you money. The ATO says that if your super fund doesn't have your TFN, contributions are taxed an additional 32% and the fund may not accept personal contributions.

TFN vs ABN

A TFN is your personal tax number. An ABN, an Australian Business Number, is a separate number for running a business, and sole traders often have both. You need the TFN first: it's the one that ties together your tax returns, super and pay, whether you're employed, self-employed or both.

Keeping your TFN safe

• Only give it to the ATO, your employer, your super fund, your bank and your tax agent when they need it.
• Never share it in a text, on social media or with someone who contacts you out of the blue.
• Shred old payslips and tax letters rather than binning them.

My verdict

If you're an Australian citizen with a passport, use myID and you'll likely have your TFN the same day, without visiting anywhere. Everyone else should apply online and allow about four weeks. If you're earning online in Australia, see Amazon KDP in Australia, and for the bigger picture on being paid as a freelancer, my honest freelancing tips.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get a TFN fast?

Apply online with a Strong Digital ID such as myID. Australian citizens aged 15 or over generally receive the TFN straight away.

How long does a TFN take through Australia Post?

You should receive it within 28 days of the ATO receiving your completed application, after Australia Post has seen your documents.

Does it cost money to get a TFN?

No. Applying for a TFN is free.

Can visitors get a TFN?

Yes, if they're in Australia with a valid work rights visa, through the ATO's Individual Auto-Registration system.

How do I find my lost TFN?

Sign in to ATO online services through myGov or the ATO app, or check your notice of assessment, ATO letters or income statement.