Australian workers pay tax to the government on their income. To receive an income in Australia, you need a tax file number (TFN).
A TFN is a unique number issued to individuals and businesses to help the government administer taxation and other government programs. The money collected from taxes is used to fund government programs and services such as roads, schools and hospitals.
Income includes wages or salary from a job, payments from the government, and money earned from investments including interest on savings accounts.
How to apply for a tax file number
If you are migrating to Australia or have a temporary resident visa that allows you to work in Australia, you can apply for a TFN by going to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) website, by phoning the ATO or by visiting some ATO Service Centres. The fastest way to get a TFN is online at www.ato.gov.au/tfn - you will need your passport and an Australian address.
If you do not speak English well, contact the translating and interpreting service (TIS National) on 131 450.
Australian Taxation Office
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Contact details
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Telephone
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132 861
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Visit an office
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www.ato.gov.au/visitus
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Information in languages other than English
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www.ato.gov.au/General/Other-languages
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ATO Website
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www.ato.gov.au
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See Chapter 11, Money for more information.
Medicare is Australia’s national health care system, which provides free or subsidised health care services to Australians and permanent residents. Some temporary migrants may also be eligible for Medicare services.
If you are eligible for Medicare you have immediate access to health care services and programs. These include free public hospital care, help with the cost of out-of-hospital care, and subsidised medicines.
For information on Medicare Services, go to www.humanservices.gov.au/medicare or visit your local Medicare Service Centre.
How to enrol with Medicare
To enrol with Medicare, go to a Medicare Service Centre with your passport and other travel documents. If you meet all requirements, you will be given a temporary Medicare card number. You will receive your Medicare card in the post approximately three weeks later. You must let Medicare know if you change your home or postal address.
Emergency medical treatment is available 24 hours a day at Emergency departments of public hospitals.
Medicare
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Contact details
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Medicare Website
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www.humanservices.gov.au/medicare
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Information for migrants, refugees and visitors
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www.humanservices.gov.au/multicultural
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Information in languages other than English
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www.humanservices.gov.au/yourlanguage
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Telephone
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132 011
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Visit a service centre
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www.humanservices.gov.au/findus
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There are many private health insurance funds that offer insurance for services not covered by Medicare, for example, most dental care, most optical care and ambulance transport in most states and territories.
See Chapter 9, Health and Wellbeing for more information.
Contact Centrelink
The Department of Human Services provides social security payments and services through Centrelink. Centrelink helps newly-arrived permanent residents look for work, find courses or training and with the process for overseas skills recognition. Contact Centrelink to find out if you are eligible for a social security payment. Depending on your visa, there may be a waiting period before you can receive payments.
If you are eligible, payments may be made from the day you contact Centrelink. To be paid from the day you arrive in Australia, you or someone on your behalf—for example, your Humanitarian Settlement Services (HSS) provider or proposer—must contact Centrelink on the day you arrive and lodge a claim within 14 days.
Humanitarian entrants may be eligible for a Crisis Payment in addition to other social security payments. If you arrive under the Humanitarian Program you must:
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claim within seven days of arriving in Australia, or
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contact Centrelink with the intent to claim within seven days of arrival and lodge a claim within 14 days of that contact.
If you have children, you may be eligible for Government-funded payments for the cost of raising children (see www.humanservices.gov.au/ftb) or for child care fees (see www.humanservices.gov.au/childcare).
Centrelink
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Contact details
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Centrelink website
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www.humanservices.gov.au/centrelink
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Information for migrants, refugees and visitors
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www.humanservices.gov.au/multicultural
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Information in other languages
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www.humanservices.gov.au/yourlanguage
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Phone self service
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136 240
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Job seekers
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132 850
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People with disability and carers
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132 717
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Older Australians
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132 300
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Students and trainees
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132 490
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Online account support
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132 307
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Complaints and feedback
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1800 132 468
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Australian apprenticeships
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133 633
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Families
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136 150
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For information in other languages
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131 202
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Visit a service centre
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http://humanservices.gov.au/findus
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For other Centrelink phone numbers
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www.humanservices.gov.au
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See Chapter 5, Employment and Chapter 10, Your Family
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