In order to work for an employer in Australia you are required to have a Tax File Number or TFN. To apply online, go to the Australian Taxation Office website and click on the application link for foreign passport holders, permanent migrants and temporary visitors. You must already be in Australia when you apply and have your passport and details to hand. Once you have applied, you will be sent your TFN by post within 28 days – it usually only takes about five business days.

If you will not be staying in one place for 28 days, or your TFN hasn’t arrived within the stated period, you can call the ATO on on 13 28 61, 8.00am to 6.00pm, Monday to Friday and they can give you your number you over the phone after verifying your identity with some security questions.

In order to work legally in Australia, you will need to set up a bank account. With some banks, you can set up your account online from your home country. You will need to bring your passport as ID, and an address where your bank can post your new debit card. If you don’t have a permanent address yet, you may be able to give the bank the address of your hostel (but make sure you ask the staff first) or you can have it posted to our address which is listed further down.

Australia has four main banks: Commonwealth , Westpac, NAB and ANZ. There are also other international banks such as HSBC, ING and CITI Bank. We recommend you to pick one of the main banks so you can easily find an ATM no matter where you are (in Australia, there is a service fee for using ATMs not affiliated with your bank, which can really add up).

Superannuation is money set aside during your working life for when you retire (or in your case, when you leave the country). Most employers in Australia will be obliged to pay a portion of your salary (10.5%) into a fund for you. This payment is paid on top of your salary and is put into a separate account. To be able to get this money, you will need to set up your “super” account. You can set up your super account at your bank when opening your bank account, find another Superannuation provider or ask your employer to set you up with their default Super fund. You can’t claim your superannuation until you leave Australia, and unfortunately it’s taxed at the extremely high rate of 65%. However it is a nice bonus at the end of your stay!

When living in Australia on a Working Holiday Visa you will need an Australian phone number using Telstra as they are the only carrier that works in our area and many other rural and remote areas.