Last updated: June 2026  |  Reading time: 8 min When I first moved to Australia for work, the very first thing my employer asked for was a Tax File Number. I had no idea what it was or where to get one — I just knew I needed it before my first payslip, or I'd be taxed at the highest possible rate with no way to get it back easily. If you're new to Australia, starting a job, or opening a bank account for the first time, your TFN is the first piece of the financial puzzle. Here's everything you need to know — including how to apply, what to do if you lose it, and what happens if you don't have one. What Is a Tax File Number? A Tax File Number (TFN) is a unique 9-digit number issued by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) to identify you in the tax and superannuation systems. It stays with you for life — you keep the same TFN whether you change jobs, move interstate, get married, or become an Australian citizen. Think of it as your personal ID number for...

Last updated: July 2026  |  Reading time: 12 min When I arrived in Australia, I had a rough idea of what I needed to do — get a TFN, open a bank account, find somewhere to live. What I didn't realise was how many of these things connect to each other, and how getting the order wrong creates headaches that take weeks to untangle. No TFN means your bank withholds tax on interest. No Medicare card means you're paying full price at the doctor. No myGov account means you can't access half of these things online. This checklist covers everything you need to sort out when you arrive — in the right order, with links to the full guides where you need more detail. Your Progress Settlement Checklist Progress 0% 0 of 32 tasks completed — tick items as you go Week 1 — The Essentials These are the things you genuinely cannot do without. Get these sorted in your first week. 🪪 Tax File Number (TFN) Week 1 Apply for your TFN online at ato.gov.au — it's fr...

  Last updated: June 2026  |  Reading time: 9 min Before I started doing occasional freelance work on the side, I assumed an ABN was only for people running proper businesses — a shop, a company, something with staff. Then a client asked for my ABN to pay an invoice, and I realised I had no idea where to get one or whether I even needed one. Many sole traders complete the application in around 10–20 minutes and it's free. The confusion around ABNs mostly comes from not knowing when you need one, what it actually does, and how it connects to tax. Here's the straightforward version. What Is an ABN? An Australian Business Number (ABN) is an 11-digit number that identifies your business or sole trader activity to the Australian Tax Office and other government agencies. It's issued by the Australian Business Register (ABR), which is administered by the ATO. You use it to identify yourself when invoicing clients, registering for GST, claiming fuel tax credits,...

Last updated: July 2026  |  Reading time: 10 min myGov is the single account that connects you to almost every Australian government service you'll ever need — tax returns, Centrelink payments, Medicare, superannuation, and more. If you're new to Australia, or you've been putting off setting it up, getting this sorted properly saves an enormous amount of time and frustration later. The setup itself takes about 15 minutes. The confusion usually comes from not knowing which services to link, or hitting an identity verification step without the right documents. This guide walks through the whole process clearly so you get it right the first time. What Is myGov? myGov (my.gov.au) is an Australian Government portal that gives you secure online access to a range of federal government services through a single login. Instead of creating separate accounts for the ATO, Centrelink, Medicare, and other agencies, you link them all to one myGov account and access everythi...

Last updated: July 2026  |  Reading time: 11 min 📋 Quick Summary — Working Holiday Maker Tax (2026-27) Visa subclasses 417 (Working Holiday) and 462 (Work and Holiday) Tax rate (first $45,000) 15% flat — from the first dollar, no tax-free threshold Tax rate (above $45,000) 30% on $45,001–$135,000 / 37% to $190,000 / 45% above Medicare Levy Nil — WHMs are exempt Super entitlement Yes — 12% SG applies to all WHM employees DASP tax rate (super refund) 65% on taxable component when leaving Australia Tax return deadline 31 October (or before you leave if departing early) In short: A 417 or 462 visa holder is generally taxed at 15% on the first $45,000, has no tax-free threshold under the WHM schedule, and can use the calculator below for a quick estimate. WHM Tax Calculator — 2026-27 🌏 Working Holiday Maker Tax Calculator — 2026-27 Example estimate for a 417/462 visa holder earning $45,000. Update figures ma...