Tax File Number
A tax file number (TFN) is a unique number issued to individuals and organisations to help the Australian Taxation 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 to lodge a tax return , ask the Tax Office about your tax affairs, start or change jobs and limit the amount of tax you pay on interest or dividends earned if you have savings accounts or investments that earn income.

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 OR visa that allows permanent migration OR valid overseas student visa, or a 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. For more information about TFNs visit the Tax Office website .

Temporary Resident Health Insurance
If you are a sponsored temporary resident coming from Italy, United Kingdom, Malta, New Zealand, Finland, The Netherlands, Sweden, Norway or the Republic of  Ireland, you may be eligible for some health cover under Medicare in Australia, but only for emergency treatment as a public patient. You would be responsible for paying the costs of treatment in a private hospital, or for treatment as a private patient in a public hospital, including the costs of all medical services provided. It is recommended that you apply for additional medical cover.

If you are a visitor from any other country, you are not eligible for health cover under Medicare in Australia. You will need to show evidence of having temporary resident health insurance before commencing employment.

Companies selling temporarly reisdent health insurance are Medibank Private, MBF, IMAN Australian Health Insurance, HBA and HBF. Listing on this site is not an endorsement of these companies.

Opening a bank account
To open a bank account in Australia you need '100 points' of identification. A passport is 70 points and your letter of offer from Macquarie University is 35 points. Other documentation that carries points is listed on the St George Bank website. There is a branch of the National Bank on our campus and branches of all major banks at the nearby Macquarie Shopping Centre.

Relocation, Removal and Repatriation Expenses
If you have been offered employment for two years or more the University will pay relocation, removal and repartiration expenses in accordance with our Relocation, Removal and Repatriation Policy.

Department of Immigration Information for migrants
The Department of Immigration website has detailed information about moving to and settling in Australia.

On your first day
On or within the first few days of employment you will need to

• complete and lodge forms providing your bank account details and tax file number with the University Human Resources Office in Building C4B
• provide evidence of your qualifications to the HR Office C4B
• show evidence of having health cover and your work visa if you are an overseas appointee
• undertake inductions with the Faculty HR Coordinator, your supervisor and your department administrator (see Staff Induction Checklists below)
• undertake online OHS inductions

Staff Induction Checklists
Your Faculty HR Coordinator, Department Administrator and Supervisor will go through relevant information on the linked checklists.

Welcome Letter
The Welcome Letter provides some information about working for Macquarie University, the Faculty of Science and resources for staff to get you started.

Information about Teaching at Macquarie
The Learning and Teaching Centre provides training and resources for learning and teaching including the popular brochure: Getting started in Teaching at Macquarie. If your role requires you to teach your supervisor will provide relevant details and introduce you to the Department's Director of Teaching and the Faculty's Associate Dean Teaching and Learning.

Information about Researching at Macquarie
The University Research Office provides details of grants and fellowships available to staff. If your role requires you to do research your supervisor will provide relevant details and introduce you to the Department's Director of Research and the Faculty Associate Dean Research.