Do you have to get a new IRD number to take to Australia? If so, how do you get it?

Hi Clint - yes, you do under most (all?) circumstances. The Australian equivalent on an IRD number is a Tax File Number (TFN) and it is discussed elsewhere on this page. See this link: http://movetoaustralia.net/frequently-asked-questions/#living3 for more info about how to apply for one.

Best thing to do is apply for one before you leave NZ on the site as above. Once you are here you can only work 28 days on your normal tax bracket (as calculated by your employer) before they have to tax you at 45%!!!! tax offie is alot more efficient in answering the phone than NZ - but it took us 20 days to get our TFN's and I was getting nervous!!

As I understand it you have to actually be on Australian soil before you can apply for a TFN. So can't apply until you get there.

Yeah..Ive been trying to get TFN online here in NZ....so we dont have to wait 2-3 weeks jobless ova there....the site TFN sayz.. I MUST be in Oz before applying...what's the use of online form's...when I applied online ..i figured, they must no, your'e not in OZ wen you put passport number in???..has anyone else tried and succeded?? HELP

and this site is AWSUMMM and has helPed us OUT heaps.....thankz

I am still trying to find a non spam site that will let me apply online for a TFN(tax file number) without me being in Australia.As I don't want to be jobless when I get over there waiting gor a couple of weeks for the TFN.
Does anyone have any suggestions please help!!

You do have to wait until you are in Australia to get a tax file number. If you go in( not sure where? - court house/ council maybe?) you get your tax file number on the spot.

you dont have to be jobless waiting for a tfn. get your job, your employer asks for your tfn or a declaration to say you will get it in 28 days. done

WOW! This site is so awesome, thanks to everyone for the answers to our dying questions. I love Australia can't wait to move here.

I arrived in QLD oct 2008, I applied for my TFN before I left NZ. I think now tho you can't apply for it online anymore cos I tried to do it for my Mother and I couldn't.

A TFN for me was alot harder than my wifes, I was born here but lived all my life in NZ, I arrived on my Ozzie passport, but I could not apply online for a tax number - I had to go in to the "Shop front" and produce all my original docs - passport, birth cert, etc, my wife however is a kiwi and applied online and within 2 weeks it arrived, the reason why hers arrived so much faster than mine is that when you fill out the form online it asks you for your passport number, your passport is checked as you arrive into the country and all the verification is done.

regards
Mike

You need an Australian one and you can;t apply before they see you have actully entered the country. IR website really clear just follow the links for the forms and you will have a number in days. Of course. For other things it can be longer...much much longer....

I spoke to I.R.D today and they said if I am in perth for less than 325 days I remain a NZ tax resident. I don't know yet how long I wish to be over there so it's all a bit confusing! I'm no good with this stuff. Who can I see upon arrival to help with this? Any help appreciated :)