Hub 02 · Working Holiday HQ

Your Australia arrival, sequenced

Five steps in the order that matters. Skip step 3 and you'll lose 15% of every paycheck; skip step 5 and you'll be surprised at the airport.

Base WHM tax
15%
on income ≤ $45k
Unregistered employer
30%
ATO enforced
DASP super claim
65%
on 417/462 super refunds
  1. Step 1

    Land & activate your bank account

    Open an Australian transaction account (Commonwealth, Westpac, ANZ, NAB all offer WHM setups pre-arrival). You need the BSB + account number before your first payslip.

    Pre-arrival online applications save 2–3 days. Bring your passport to any branch to collect your card. Wise and Revolut work but employers strongly prefer local BSB accounts for payroll.

  2. Step 2

    Apply for your TFN — day one

    Your Tax File Number is free and takes ~10 minutes on the ATO website. You need an Australian address (a hostel is fine).

  3. Step 3Critical

    Confirm your employer is WHM-registered

    Ask before your first shift. A WHM-registered employer withholds 15%. An unregistered one is legally required to withhold 30% (non-resident rate) from dollar one.

  4. Step 4

    Nominate a super fund on day one

    Employers must contribute 10% of your ordinary earnings to superannuation on top of your wage. If you don't pick a fund, they'll open one for you — often with worse fees.

  5. Step 5Critical

    Understand the DASP 65% tax

    Your super is yours — but when you claim it back after leaving Australia (Departing Australia Superannuation Payment), the WHM tax rate is 65%.

The super math nobody tells you

On a $60,000 salary, your employer contributes $6,000 to super over the year. When you leave and claim it via DASP, the ATO withholds 65% — you receive $2,100. It's still money you wouldn't otherwise have, but plan your budget around take-home wages, not super.