Connect Australia

International students are entitled to work maximum of 20 hours per week during semester and no limit in semester break. In order to work in Australia you need to obtain Tax File Number (TFN). Obtaining TFN should be your first process after you land in Australia and its very important to obtain TFN before you start working. You are only issued one in your lifetime and it is used to file tax reports and important government documents. Australia is very strict in visa rules and regulations, so I strongly recommend not working in Australia without TFN and even working for cash-in-hand is illegal.

What is TFN?
I hope it’s common in most country that if you work, you are required to file your tax return. In Australia TFN is used to track your tax return and even government can track how many hours you are working. As I said early it’s a unique number which you cannot change for life time and its very important to keep your address and personal information up-to-date.

How to Apply?
There are different ways to apply TFN number but I have given you most convenient and easy way.

Apply Online: Australian Taxation Office made our life really easy; you can apply for TFN within 15 minutes sitting before your laptop but you need to be in Australia at the time you apply. Please visit ATO website for more information.

Apply by Phone: You can apply by calling ATO office (Phone number provided in ATO website) and it won’t take more then 20 minutes but make sure you have all necessary documents which I mentioned below.

Documents Required: Make sure you got your passport, your house address and you must be authorized to work by DIAC (Department of Immigration and Citizenship), Valid overseas visa, enrolment details, and you must present in Australia while the time you lodge your application.

How long it will take? It will take 10 working days to get your TFN number.