MrsA Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 Hi Everyone, We fly to Melbourne on the 1 April and I'm trying to get as much organised before we travel. I just have a quick query re: the TFNs. To apply for the TFN online you need to put an Australian address. We are unsure about putting our short term rental address for the TFN online as we are only staying there for 5 weeks so would we then have to arrange to change our address associated with the TFN with a tax office I think. Is this right? The alternative I think is to wait until we are in longer term accommodation (about six weeks after our arrival) to apply for our TFNs then, however I'm sure we won't be able to apply for jobs etc without this document. Any advice on what you guys did would be greatly appreciated as always. Many thanks and best wishes. Mrs A Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grabri Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 Tfn takes up to 28 days after you have been at a post office. Mine took 2 weeks (Sydney) and gets delivered to the address you put down. So you should be ok Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bungo Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 You cannot apply before you are in Australia. But once the, it is perfectly fine to apply and use a temporary address and update later, it is certainly a good idea to do this if you think you will be working quickly. You don't need to have a TFN to start work, but you will probably have too much deducted at source if not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mungbean Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 You don't need to have a TFN to start work, but you will probably have too much deducted at source if not. So long as you have actually applied for it (once you arrive), when you start working you get a 28-day grace period when you can be paid without a TFN and still taxed at the normal rate. There is specific mention of this on the form I filled in when I started work anyway, and in my first paypacket I was paid exactly what I was expecting from http://www.paycalculator.com.au/ I've found that banks etc. are OK with me using my work address to begin with while I've been staying in temporary accommodation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mungbean Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 btw the form I referred to above is the Tax File Number Declaration, completed on starting work... see the box where you check "I have made a separate application/enquiry to the ATO for a new or existing TFN" (System went weird here and attached 3 versions of this image so this was the best compromise... PM me if you want a hires version.) And you don't have to go into a post office, you can also apply for your TFN online: https://www.ato.gov.au/Individuals/Tax-file-number/Applying-for-a-TFN/Individuals-(Australian-residents-for-tax-purposes)/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Que Sera Sera Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 I used our holiday rental and we were there for only 4 weeks. You can always do an Auspost forwarding service if you've left there before all the important post has arrived. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VERYSTORMY Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 My wife just did hers (WA) From the post office visit it took 10 days to arrive Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Que Sera Sera Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 I thought everyone had to have one as soon as you arrive? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mungbean Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 I thought everyone had to have one as soon as you arrive? It's not even compulsory to have one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Que Sera Sera Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 It's not even compulsory to have one. Well you learn something everyday. I thought you had to have it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VERYSTORMY Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 Not if you dont work - my wife hasnt worked since we arrived, so no need for a tfn or a tax return Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mungbean Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 Not if you dont work - my wife hasnt worked since we arrived, so no need for a tfn or a tax return Whether you work or not, you don't have to have one. https://www.ato.gov.au/Individuals/Tax-file-number/Applying-for-a-TFN/ It’s not compulsory to have a TFN, but if you don’t have one you may have more tax withheld than you need to, or you may not be able to receive certain government benefits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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