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How to Find Your Tax File Number on Centrelink (2026 Guide)

Published March 15, 2024 Updated October 7, 2026 by Axel Hardy

Australia · Tax & Centrelink

Can't see your tax file number in Centrelink? That's normal. Here's where your TFN actually lives, how to retrieve it in minutes through myGov, and how to make sure Centrelink has the right one on file.

Updated October 2026 · Reviewed against ATO and Services Australia guidance · For Australian residents

Quick answer

You can't view your tax file number (TFN) in your Centrelink online account. Centrelink stores it for your payments but doesn't display it. To find your TFN, sign in to myGov, open Australian Taxation Office and check My profile → Personal details. You'll also find it on your notice of assessment, income statement or super statement, or by calling the ATO on 13 28 61.

Why Centrelink won't show your TFN

Your TFN is issued by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), not Centrelink. Centrelink is a program of Services Australia (formerly the Department of Human Services). It asks for your TFN so it can confirm your identity, match income information with the ATO and, for taxable payments such as JobSeeker, report what it paid you.

Because a TFN is valuable to identity thieves, Centrelink keeps it on file but doesn't display it in your online account or the Express Plus Centrelink app. The place to see your TFN is the ATO side of myGov.

In short: Centrelink uses your TFN; the ATO shows it. Both sit inside myGov, so it's the same login, just a different linked service.

How to find your TFN through myGov (step by step)

1

Sign in to myGov

Go to my.gov.au and sign in with your myGov credentials or Digital ID (such as myID). If you only use myGov for Centrelink, you may need to link the ATO first.

2

Link the Australian Taxation Office

Under Linked services, choose Australian Taxation Office and follow the prompts. You may need to answer identity questions from a past tax return, payment summary or bank account details.

3

Open ATO online services

Select the ATO from your linked services. This takes you into ATO online services for individuals, which is separate from your Centrelink online account.

4

View your personal details

Go to My profile and then Personal details. Your TFN is shown there along with your name, address and contact details.

5

Check your TFN with Centrelink

If Centrelink has asked for your TFN, switch back to Centrelink in myGov and confirm or update your tax details so they match the ATO exactly.

Tip: Menu labels in ATO online services change from time to time. If you can't see "Personal details", look for your profile or account details, or check the myGov Inbox for ATO letters, which usually show your TFN.

Other places to find your TFN

If you can't link the ATO to myGov yet, your TFN is printed on several documents. The ATO's lost or stolen TFN guidance lists these options:

Where to find your tax file number in Australia
Source	Where to look	Notes
ATO online services (via myGov)	Personal details section	Fastest; available 24/7 once the ATO is linked
Notice of assessment	Top of the notice, after you lodge a tax return	Use the most recent one
ATO letters and statements of account	Usually printed near your name and address	Check old paperwork or myGov Inbox
Income statement / payment summary	Provided through your employer and ATO online	Payment summaries were used before Single Touch Payroll
Superannuation statement	Your super fund's annual or online statement	Funds hold your TFN to avoid extra tax
Registered tax agent	Ask your accountant or tax agent	They can confirm it after verifying you
ATO phone line 13 28 61	Personal tax enquiries	You'll need to pass security questions

Giving or updating your TFN with Centrelink

For most Centrelink payments you need to provide your TFN, or proof you've applied for one, when you claim. Some people may be exempt, so check the rules for your payment with Services Australia.

Online: sign in to myGov, open Centrelink and update your tax details.
App: use the Express Plus Centrelink app.
Phone: call the line for your payment type and pass the identity checks.
No TFN yet? Apply through the ATO first. Most Australian residents can now apply online via myGov with a Digital ID; then tell Centrelink once it arrives.

Match exactly: the TFN, name and date of birth you give Centrelink should match the ATO's records. A mismatch can hold up a claim or cause income-matching letters later.

Myths vs facts

Centrelink and TFN: myths vs facts
Myth	Fact
Centrelink can look up your TFN for you.	Your TFN is issued and held by the ATO. Use ATO online services or call the ATO.
Your TFN is shown in the Centrelink section of myGov.	Centrelink stores it for payments, but doesn't display it. The ATO section does.
You need a new TFN if you lose it.	Your TFN is yours for life. You recover it; you don't reapply.
It's fine to email your TFN to an employer or landlord.	Only give it to the ATO, Centrelink, your employer (via a TFN declaration), your super fund, bank or tax agent, and never by insecure email.

Lost or stolen TFN: what to do

Act fast: if your TFN has been lost, stolen or misused, call the ATO Client Identity Support Centre on 1800 467 033. The ATO and Centrelink will never ask for your TFN in an unsolicited text, email or social media message. Report suspicious contact to Scamwatch.

Common mistakes to avoid

✗Searching the Centrelink online account for a TFN that isn't displayed there
✗Applying for a second TFN instead of recovering the existing one (it can cause problems with your records)
✗Giving Centrelink a TFN that doesn't match the ATO, which can delay payments
✗Sharing a TFN with someone who calls or messages you unexpectedly claiming to be from the ATO or Centrelink
✗Waiting too long to report a lost or stolen TFN

Frequently asked questions

Can I see my tax file number in my Centrelink online account?

No. Centrelink records your TFN when you claim a payment, but your Centrelink online account does not display it. To see your TFN, sign in to myGov and open ATO online services, or check a notice of assessment, income statement or super statement.

Can Centrelink tell me my TFN over the phone?

Centrelink is not the right place to recover a lost TFN. Your TFN is issued and held by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), so contact the ATO on 13 28 61 for personal tax enquiries after passing their identity checks.

Do I need a TFN to get a Centrelink payment?

For most Centrelink payments, yes. You usually need to give Services Australia your TFN, or proof you have applied for one, when you claim. Some people may be exempt, so check the requirements for your specific payment with Services Australia.

I don't have a TFN yet. Can I still claim from Centrelink?

Yes, you can usually start your claim and tell Centrelink you have applied for a TFN. Apply through the ATO first (for most Australian residents this is now done online via myGov with a Digital ID), then give Centrelink the number once it arrives.

Where else can I find my TFN?

Your TFN appears on your ATO notice of assessment, many ATO letters and statements of account, your employer's income statement or payment summary, and your superannuation fund statements. A registered tax agent can also give it to you.

What should I do if I think my TFN has been stolen?

Contact the ATO Client Identity Support Centre on 1800 467 033 as soon as possible. Never share your TFN by email, social media or with unsolicited callers, and report scams to Scamwatch.

How do I update my TFN details with Centrelink?

Sign in to your Centrelink online account through myGov or the Express Plus Centrelink app and update your tax details, or call your Centrelink payment line. Make sure the TFN matches exactly what the ATO has on record.

Related guides

How to find my tax file number

Every place your TFN appears, from myGov to old paperwork.

How international students apply for a TFN

Eligibility, documents and timelines for student visa holders.

TFN application form

Which TFN application to use and how to complete it.

Low and middle income tax offset

What happened to LMITO and the offsets still available.

Building a career in Australia?

Eduyush helps students and professionals with career guides, tax basics and job-ready resources.

Explore more how-to guides

This guide is general information, not tax advice. Check ato.gov.au or speak to a registered tax agent for your situation.

8 comments

Ali Raheem November 4, 2025 at 9:39 pm

Hi
CHARMAINE ELSTON August 28, 2025 at 9:54 pm

Can you please help me find my tax file number
Leonie Phillips June 24, 2025 at 11:33 pm

I need my tax file number asap
Gregory Hicks June 5, 2025 at 1:17 am

Tax file number
Gregory Hicks June 4, 2025 at 8:51 pm

My tax file number

1 2

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