Landing in Australia: TFN, Medicare and your bank account in the right order
Landing in Australia feels like a fresh start, but before you can settle into the lifestyle, you have to face the administrative reality. Setting up your Tax File Number (TFN), enrolling in Medicare, and opening a bank account are your first three hurdles. While Australia's systems are highly digital and generally efficient, attempting them in the wrong order can trigger unnecessary delays and document loops. Here is how to sequence your first weeks.
In short
- Bank first: Open your bank account before or immediately upon arrival to secure your first local financial footprint.
- TFN second: Apply for your Tax File Number online only after you have physically landed and have a local mailing address.
- Medicare third: Submit your enrolment once you have your visa grant details, passport, and a stable residential address.
- The super connection: Keep your TFN handy for your employer to prevent paying emergency tax rates and to open your superannuation fund.
The sequence at a glance
When you land, you might feel tempted to tackle every administrative task at once. However, a structured approach saves you from repeating steps. The most reliable order of operations for new arrivals is to establish your bank account, apply for your Tax File Number, and then enrol in Medicare.
You cannot apply for a TFN until you are physically in Australia, and the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) sends this number by physical mail. Therefore, you need a reliable mailing address secured before you submit the online TFN application.
This sequence ensures that by the time you start job hunting or lease hunting, your financial and tax foundations are already processing in the background. If you want to understand how this fits into the broader picture of relocating, you can read our guide on the first 10 moves to make after visa approval.
Step 1: The bank account (Day 1 or before)
Many Australian banks allow prospective residents to open an everyday transaction account online up to three months before arrival. This is generally the easiest way to start the process. Once you arrive, you simply visit a branch with your passport to verify your identity and collect your debit card.
If you prefer to wait until arrival, try to visit a branch within your first six weeks. Under Australian banking regulations, presenting your passport at a branch within 60 days of arrival is usually sufficient for identification. If you wait longer, you may need to provide additional documents, such as utility bills or a tenancy agreement, to satisfy the point-score identification system.
While setting up your account, ask the bank for a proof of balance or an account confirmation letter showing your name and temporary Australian address. This document is highly useful for subsequent steps.
Step 2: Apply for your Tax File Number (Day 2)
A Tax File Number (TFN) is a unique reference number issued by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). While it is not legally compulsory to have one, without a TFN, your employer must withhold tax from your pay at the highest marginal rate. Furthermore, you will not be able to apply for government benefits or lodge your annual tax return easily.
The ATO rules are clear: you can only apply for a TFN after you have physically arrived in Australia. The online application system links directly with the Department of Home Affairs systems to verify your visa status and entry record. If you attempt to apply from offshore, the system will reject your application.
- Confirm your entry: Wait at least 24 hours after passing through border control to ensure the system updates your arrival status.
- Prepare your address: Ensure you have access to a mailing address where you can receive post for the next 28 days. The ATO sends your TFN via physical mail; they do not email it.
- Submit online: Complete the Permanent Migrants and Temporary Visitors online application on the ATO portal. It is a free service that typically takes about 10 minutes.
According to the ATO, it can take up to 28 days to receive your TFN in the mail. If you start work before your TFN arrives, you have a 28-day grace period during which you can fill out your withholding declaration for your employer, stating that you have applied for a TFN and are awaiting its delivery.
Step 3: Medicare enrolment (Week 1–2)
Australia’s public healthcare system, Medicare, is managed by Services Australia. Access to Medicare depends entirely on your visa type and your country of origin. Permanent residents are generally eligible immediately. If you are on a temporary visa, you may still have access under a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA) if you are moving from countries such as the UK, New Zealand, Ireland, or several European nations.
To enrol, you must complete an application form and submit supporting documents. This can be done online through your myGov account or by mail. You will need to provide your passport, visa grant letter, and proof of your relationship to Australia, which commonly includes a residential tenancy agreement, employment contract, or a local bank statement showing your new address.
Once processed, you will receive a digital Medicare card via the Express Plus Medicare mobile app, followed by a physical green or blue card in the mail. Keep in mind that if your visa requires you to maintain private health insurance, enrolling in Medicare does not automatically exempt you from those conditions, so check your visa grant letter carefully.
Superannuation: The final piece of the puzzle
Once your TFN and bank account are active, your employer will ask you to complete a Superannuation Standard Choice Form. In Australia, employers must pay a percentage of your earnings into a superannuation (pension) fund. You can either choose the default fund offered by your employer or open your own. Your super fund will require your TFN to accept personal contributions and to ensure your retirement savings are taxed at the concessional rate rather than the emergency rate.
Official sources to bookmark
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