Work Permit and Tax File Number

Many international students choose to work in Australia to support their studies. Before you start working in Australia, you need to organise a Work Permit and a Tax File Number.

Work permission for student visas granted BEFORE 26 April 2008

If you received your student visa before 26 April 2008, you still need to apply for a work permit. The application fee for permission to work is A$60.

Download our step-by-step guide and application for permission to work (PDF 52.5KB). You can apply online via the DIAC website or by mail.

Please note:

• You must have a current valid Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE). If you have recently changed your course or changed your institution you will need to obtain a new eCoE before you can apply for permission to work.
• You must have commenced classes in your current course.
• You must have a current Swinburne Student ID card (you must bring this to Swinburne International and DIAC when you are applying).
• Your current residential address must be the same on your application form as it is on the Swinburne system.
  
  

Work permission for student visas granted AFTER 26 April 2008

Visa conditions specify that:

• Students and their dependents are restricted from undertaking work until the student has commenced their course in Australia.
• Students are allowed to work for a maximum of 20 hours per week while their course is in session (excluding work undertaken as a registered component of the course).
• Dependents are also restricted to 20 hours of work per week, except for dependents of students who have commenced a Masters or Doctorate course who will be able to work unlimited hours.

More information about the Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) system (PDF 54.5KB)  

Tax file numbers

A tax file number (TFN) is a unique number issued to individuals and organisations to help the Tax Office administer tax and other Australian Government systems.  It’s one of your most important forms of identification in Australia. It’s yours for life and keeping it secure is a good defence against identity theft.

While it is not compulsory to quote a TFN without one you may:

• pay more tax than necessary, or
• not be able to get government benefits you are entitled to receive.

A TFN will also help you:

• lodge a tax return
• ask the Tax Office about your tax affairs
• start or change jobs
• limit the amount of tax you pay on interest or dividends earned if you have savings accounts or investments that earn income.

Your TFN is valuable. Don’t share it with friends and don’t provide it on the internet when applying for work. Keep it secure.

Applying for a TFN

If you are a permanent migrant or temporary visitor to Australia you can apply for a TFN online after you arrive in Australia if you have a:

• visa that allows work rights
• visa that allows permanent migration
• valid overseas student visa, or
• valid visa to stay in Australia indefinitely.

To apply complete the Online individual tax file number (TFN) registration.  When applying online, you do not have to physically provide proof of your identity.

Applying for a TFN using false or other peoples’ identity details, or misusing your TFN, can mean heavy fines or jail.

If you need more information about TFNs, you can visit the Tax Office website or phone 13 28 61 between 8.00am and 6.00pm, Monday to Friday.