What You Need to Work in Australia

Before accepting any job offer, confirm your visa allows you to work and check for conditions specific to your subclass (417, 462, or other).

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Just Australia can help with WHV and immigration advice. Get your G'day discount code on this site first — then take it to their shop.

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A Tax File Number is a unique 9-digit number used by the ATO to identify you for tax and super. Without a TFN, your employer must withhold tax at the highest rate of 45% — even on the first dollar.

How to apply — step by step

1. 1
   Go to the ATO website: Navigate to the TFN application for foreign passport holders. Free. Takes about 10 minutes.
2. 2
   Complete the online form: You'll need your passport number, date of birth, Australian address (temporary is fine), and visa details.
3. 3
   It's free: There is no fee. The ATO will never charge you to issue a TFN.
4. 4
   Delivery by post: Your TFN letter arrives at your nominated Australian address within 28 days. Use a hostel or share house where mail is held.
5. 5
   Tell your employer while waiting: Say: "I have applied for my TFN and am waiting for it." Employers have 28 days before they must withhold at the no-TFN rate.
6. 6
   If it doesn't arrive: Call the ATO on 13 28 61 or check via myGov once your ATO account is linked.
7. 7
   Lost your TFN?: Log in to myGov → ATO → "Find my TFN". Or call the ATO — they verify your identity and remind you of your number.

Opens ato.gov.au — official Australian Government site. Free.

You need an Australian bank account to receive wages. Most banks let you apply online before you arrive — just verify your identity in a branch within the first few weeks.

Setup checklist

• Choose a bank and apply online before or just after arriving
• Required documents: passport + visa grant letter (temporary address is fine initially)
• Use a hostel address, share house, or friend's address as your temporary Australian address
• Receive your debit card by post (2–5 business days) or collect in branch
• Locate your BSB (6-digit branch number) and account number — in internet banking or welcome letter
• Set up PayID (link your mobile number or email) — lets employers pay you instantly without BSB details
• Give your BSB and account number to your employer on day one — needed for payroll
• Check international transfer fees before sending money home — Wise or Up Bank are usually cheaper

Bank comparison

Bank features and fees may change. Verify directly with each bank. Not financial advice.

An Australian mobile number is essential for job applications, two-factor authentication on banking apps, WhatsApp groups at your hostel, and being contactable by employers. Get one within the first 24 hours.

Prepaid plan comparison

Plans and pricing change frequently. Check provider websites for current offers.

Superannuation ("super") is Australia's compulsory retirement savings system. Your employer must pay 12% of your ordinary time earnings on top of your wages into a super fund — from 1 July 2026, contributions are paid at the same time as wages.

Super is not deducted from your wages. A job advertised at $24/hr pays $24/hr to you, plus $2.88/hr to your super fund.

• Every employer must pay 12% super on top of your wages (from 1 July 2026).
• Choose which fund receives your contributions — don't let every employer default you into theirs.
• Keep super in one fund across all your jobs to avoid duplicate fees.
• Check your super balance via myGov → ATO.
• When leaving Australia permanently, claim via DASP (Departing Australia Superannuation Payment). WHV holders pay 65% withholding tax on the payout.

Super Consolidation Checker

Some employers — particularly in construction, farm labour, cleaning, or creative industries — ask workers to invoice them using an ABN rather than be hired as employees. Before you agree, understand the difference.

How to register an ABN

Registering an ABN is free and takes about 10 minutes online at the Australian Business Register. You'll need your TFN and passport details. Most temporary visa holders are eligible.

Opens abr.gov.au — official Australian Government site.

Australia has an excellent public healthcare system (Medicare) — but most Working Holiday Visa holders are not automatically covered. Whether you have access depends on your country of origin.

Reciprocal Health Care Agreements (RHCA)

Australia has bilateral healthcare agreements with certain countries. If your country is on this list, you can enrol in Medicare for medically necessary treatment (not everything is covered — elective procedures, dental, and optical are excluded).

If your country is not on the list

You will need private health insurance. Medical costs in Australia can be significant without cover — a single GP visit is ~$80–$120, an emergency room visit can be several hundred to thousands of dollars.

Australian employers must provide a payslip within one working day of each payment. Knowing what each line means helps you catch underpayment quickly.

Australia has strong minimum wage protections that apply to everyone working in the country regardless of visa type. Backpackers on WHVs have the same minimum wage entitlements as Australian workers.

Common awards by industry

Award rates increase each year on 1 July following the Fair Work Commission's Annual Wage Review. Figures reflect rates effective from 1 July 2026 where verified. Always confirm on fairwork.gov.au.

The Australian tax year runs from 1 July to 30 June. If you worked and earned income, you are required to lodge a tax return. Most backpackers are entitled to a refund — sometimes a significant one.

Working Holiday Maker tax rates 2025–26

Note: WHM holders are generally not entitled to the tax-free threshold or most tax offsets. Verify rates for the current year at ato.gov.au.

How to lodge your return

1. 1
   Create a myGov account: Go to my.gov.au and create an account. Link it to the ATO by searching for 'ATO' in the services list and following the prompts.
2. 2
   Wait for payment summaries: From late July each year, your employers' payment summary information appears automatically in myTax via ATO pre-fill.
3. 3
   Lodge via myTax (free): Log in to myGov → ATO → Lodge a tax return. Most backpackers with one or two jobs can complete this in under 30 minutes. It's free.
4. 4
   Or use a tax agent: A registered tax agent (e.g. H&R Block, Etax, Taxback) can lodge on your behalf — often worth it if you have multiple jobs, rental income, or deductible expenses. Fees from ~$80.
5. 5
   Claim your refund: Most WHV holders who had tax withheld at 15% throughout the year and earned under $45,000 receive a refund (because more was withheld than owed). Refunds typically arrive within 2 weeks of lodging.
6. 6
   Leaving early?: If you leave Australia before 30 June, you can lodge an early return as a non-resident for tax purposes. Talk to a tax agent if this applies to you.

A driving licence opens up a huge range of job opportunities in Australia — particularly in regional areas where public transport is limited and farm properties can be far from town. Many farm jobs, labour hire roles, and tourism positions require a car.

Using your overseas licence

In most Australian states, you can drive legally using a valid overseas licence for up to 3 months after arriving, provided it is in English (or accompanied by an official English translation). After 3 months, rules differ by state.

Rules change. Always verify with your state's road authority before driving. This table is a general guide only.

Heavy vehicle licences for truck/transport work

Many Australian jobs require a certification before you can start. Some are mandatory by law, others are expected by every employer in that industry. Getting them in your first week saves you from turning down job offers.