How to get yourself work ready in Australia!

Written By Agriconnex Admin

You’ve just landed in Australia for a working holiday trip of a lifetime! Australia is a wonderful country with so much to offer from beautiful sandy beaches to chic metropolitan cities such as Sydney and Melbourne with their iconic landmarks like the Sydney Opera House and Melbourne Cricket Ground, respectively. Once you’re ready to commence work or after enjoying a bout of sightseeing, you’d need a couple of things to start so you will need to prepare in advance to allow the process of starting work to be stress-free.

You will need:

  1. A tax file number (TFN)

  2. A superannuation account

  3. A bank account


According to the Australian Taxation office, a tax file number (TFN) is your personal reference number in the tax and superannuation systems. It is free to apply for a TFN and you can get more information about TFN here.

Your TFN is:

  • an important part of your tax and super records

  • an important part of your identity – make sure you keep it secure

  • yours for life, even if you change your name, change jobs, move interstate or go overseas.

You don't have to have a TFN, but without one you pay more tax. You also won't be able to apply for government benefits, lodge your tax return electronically or get an Australian business number (ABN).


Superannuation (or 'super') is a form of saving for retirement in Australia. When you visit and work in Australia, your employer may be required to make super contributions to a super fund on your behalf. When you leave Australia, you may be eligible to claim that super back as a departing Australia superannuation payment (DASP). There are requirements you will need to meet to claim your DASP.

Your DASP is taxed before you receive it. The DASP tax rate is different for working holiday makers (WHM). If you hold (or held) a 417 (Working Holiday) or 462 (Work and Holiday) visa you are classified as a WHM.


To open a bank account, you can go to any bank in Australia and open an account by showing identity documents to confirm your identity. Australian banks use a points system. where each document you produce is assigned a number of points. To be able to open a bank account, you’ll need to present documents that collectively equal 100 points.

It sounds confusing but it’s a lot easier than it sounds. Here’s the list:

  • Passport, birth certificate or citizenship certificate - 70 points

  • Drivers’ licence, shooters’ licence, public service employee ID card or a Commonwealth or State Government financial entitlement card - 40 points

  • Land Rates Notice or Council Rates (This applies only to homeowners) - 35 points

  • A card with your name on it. This could be a credit card, or even a store account card or a library card - 25 points

  • A document with your name and address on it, such as a utility bill or bank statement - 25 points

Even if you’re new to Australia, making up 100 points should not be hard. The major banks are ANZ, Commonwealth Bank, NAB and Westpac and you can find more information on their websites.

Agriconnex Admin