Is getting an ABN free?

Yes, applying for an ABN at abr.gov.au is free. Beware sites that charge for it.

Do I pay more tax on ABN income?

The rate is the same on your total income, but with an ABN no tax is withheld during the year, so you must save for it yourself and you get no employer super.

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TFN vs ABN

Do I need a TFN or an ABN in Australia?

Updated 2026-06-16

These two numbers confuse almost every backpacker, because some gig platforms ask for an ABN while normal jobs ask for a TFN. They are not interchangeable. They describe two different ways of being paid.

TFN: employee work

A Tax File Number is your personal tax ID as an employee. You give it to each employer, they withhold tax from every payslip, and they pay you super on top. Farm work, hospitality, retail, warehouse: all TFN. It's free and you should get one as soon as you arrive.

ABN: working for yourself

An Australian Business Number means you're operating as a sole trader. You invoice for your work and no tax is withheld for you. Food delivery (Uber Eats, DoorDash), rideshare, and freelancing usually require an ABN. The catch: nobody withholds tax, so you must set money aside yourself for the bill at tax time, and there's no employer super.

If a normal employer tells you to "get an ABN" to do a regular job under their control, that can be sham contracting. It's often not legal and it pushes their tax and super obligations onto you. A genuine employee job uses a TFN.

Many backpackers need both

A farm job during the day (TFN) plus Uber Eats in the evening (ABN) is a very common combo. At tax time it all goes on one return: your TFN wages and your ABN business income are added together, and you're taxed on the total. Hello June is built for exactly this two-world situation.

FAQ

Is getting an ABN free?: Yes, applying for an ABN at abr.gov.au is free. Beware sites that charge for it.
Do I pay more tax on ABN income?: The rate is the same on your total income, but with an ABN no tax is withheld during the year, so you must save for it yourself and you get no employer super.

Let June do the maths for you

Import your payslips and bank statement: June finds your deductions, estimates your refund, and tells you what goes in which myTax box. Free on screen.

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General information to help you find your way, not personalised tax advice. For your exact situation, refer to the ATO (ato.gov.au) or a registered tax agent.