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Coming to Australia

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For the new arrival, the Australian tax system may seem a little bewildering. However, by using the links provided in the navigation bar on the left, you should be able to ensure you're ticking all the correct tax boxes.

The Australian tax year (or 'financial' year) runs from July 1 to June 30 – and Australian residents are expected to lodge a tax return after the end of each financial year. Find out more about tax returns here. 

When you arrive in Australia, the very first thing to do is obtain a tax file number (TFN).  Find out what a TFN is and how to get one. How you apply for a TFN will depend on your residential status.

Resident or non-resident?
The Tax Office views residency in an entirely different way to other Australian governmental agencies which deal with things like immigration, visas and citizenship. Whether you're defined as a resident or non-resident for tax purposes, this doesn't have any impact on your passport or even your status as a permanent resident.

The Tax Office is really only interested in your earnings, and uses the term 'resident for tax purposes' to help them decide how much you should be taxed for a financial year (July 1 to June 30).

While there are many ways of determining if your personal situation makes you a 'resident or non-resident for tax purposes' generally, you are an Australian resident for tax purposes if you:
  • have always lived in Australia
  • have moved to Australia to live here permanently
  • have been in Australia for more than half of the financial year unless your usual home is overseas and you do not intend to live in Australia
  • have been in Australia continuously for six months or more and have been living in the one place, in the one job.

Australia imposes different rates of tax on residents and non-residents. Non-residents pay a higher rate.  If you are a non-resident of Australia, you will need to lodge an income tax return if you have income that is taxable in Australia.

Superannuation
When you start working your employer will contribute to a 'super' (superannuation) fund on your behalf. This ensures money is put aside for your retirement. Find out more about superannuation, here. Income tax will be taken out of your regular pay in a system called pay-as-you-go (PAYG) withholding. Find out what income tax is, why it exists and how it affects you.

BONUS: Accessing the web in a language other than English

Last reviewed 9/08/2012

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