Teen First Job Tax, TFN & Super Guide for Parents

Teen First Job Tax: TFN, Super & Tax Basics for Parents

When your teen lands their first casual or part-time job, they’ll likely need a Tax File Number (TFN). They may also be taxed on their income and could even receive superannuation depending on their age, hours, and earnings. This guide walks parents through the essentials — without the jargon.

This checklist is based on dozens of parent questions across social media groups and job forums like:

“Does my 15-year-old need a TFN to start at McDonald's?”

“Why was tax taken out when they only worked one shift?”

“Is my teen meant to get super?”

TL;DR: Teen TFN, Tax & Super – Fast Facts for Parents

• TFN? Yes, teens need a TFN before or shortly after starting work
• Tax? They might be taxed if the employer doesn't have their TFN or they earn over the threshold
• Super? Usually yes if they earn over $450/month or work 30+ hours/week
• Paperwork? TFN declaration, bank details, super fund setup
• Mistake to avoid? Not applying for a TFN early

Teen’s First Job: What Parents Need to Know

When Your Teen Needs a TFN, Tax and Super

As soon as your teen accepts their first job — even casual weekend work — they should apply for a TFN (Tax File Number). Without it, their employer may withhold tax at the highest rate — even if they earn very little.

They may also:

• Be eligible for superannuation payments
• Need to submit a TFN declaration form
• Need a bank account for their pay

Age Rules for Teen Work and Tax Basics

In Australia, teenagers can start working part-time or casual jobs from as young as 13 or 14, depending on the state. But once they’re earning income, the ATO expects basic tax rules to be followed.

Other TFN related articles

• How to find TFN on centrelink
• How to find my TFN

Quick Checklist for Your Teen’s First Job Setup

Here’s what to check before your teen’s first shift:

• ✅ They have a TFN or have applied for one
• ✅ Their TFN declaration form is filled and submitted to the employer
• ✅ They have a bank account for wages
• ✅ Super fund details (or will use employer's default fund)
• ✅ They keep copies of payslips and contracts

TFN for Teenagers: Simple Parent Checklist

Does My Teenager Need a TFN for Their First Job?

Yes. A TFN is essential for any paid work — even if your teen is only earning a few hundred dollars a month. Without a TFN, employers must withhold tax at the top marginal rate (45%) and your teen could miss out on super and tax refunds.

How to Apply for a TFN for a Teenager (Step‑by‑Step)

1. Go to the ATO TFN Application page
2. Choose “Apply for a TFN as an individual”
3. Select the Australia Post method to verify ID
4. Book an appointment for your teen at a participating post office
5. Bring ID and supporting documents
6. TFN arrives by mail in about 28 days

Real parent example:

“Our daughter Ruby got her first job at Bakers Delight at 15. We thought she could wait on the TFN, but her first payslip showed 45% tax withheld. We applied the next day.” – Karen, NSW

Documents Your Teen Needs to Apply for a TFN

• Their birth certificate or passport
• Medicare card
• Parent’s ID (if under 16)
• Proof of address
• Application summary or barcode if using Australia Post

Tip: Your teen must be in Australia and already hold a visa (if not a citizen or permanent resident).

How Long a TFN Takes and How to Keep It Safe

Once submitted, a TFN usually arrives by post within 10–28 days .

Keep it safe:

• Please write it down in a secure place
• Please don’t send it via text or social media
• Only share it with employers, the ATO, or your super fund

Teen First Job Tax Basics (2026 Guide)

Teenagers don’t need to earn much before tax becomes part of the conversation. And if they haven’t submitted their TFN declaration form, even a small paycheck can result in a big chunk being withheld. Here’s what parents need to know to help their teen avoid surprises.

When Teens Pay Tax on Their First Job

Your teenager may pay tax if:

• Their employer doesn’t have their TFN
• They earn over the tax-free threshold (currently $18,200 per year)
• They have multiple jobs without adjusting their withholding

Example:

Liam, 16, worked school holidays and earned $3,000 in one term. Even though that’s below the tax-free threshold, his employer withheld tax because they didn’t receive his TFN on time. He’ll need to lodge a return to get that money back.

How Tax-Free Thresholds Work for Teenagers

All Australian tax residents — including teenagers — are entitled to the tax-free threshold of $18,200 per financial year.

Here’s how it works:

• ✅ If your teen earns under $18,200 total, they likely won’t owe any tax
• ❌ But if they don’t submit a TFN form, tax may still be withheld at the top rate
• ✅ They can claim a refund at the end of the financial year if too much was withheld

Pro tip: Always make sure your teen ticks the box on the TFN declaration to claim the threshold if it’s their only or main job.

What Happens if the Employer Doesn’t Have the TFN

If your teen hasn’t provided their TFN, employers are required to:

• Withhold tax at the top marginal rate (currently 45%)
• Report the income and withholding to the ATO under a “no TFN” flag
• Possibly delay superannuation setup

Example from the community:

“We didn’t know the TFN was needed on day one. My son worked 10 hours at $22/hour and had $99 in taxes withheld. The manager told us to send the TFN ASAP.” – Mark, VIC

How to Read Your Teen’s First Payslip

Take 2 minutes to go through a payslip with your teen. Check that it includes:

• Gross pay (before tax)
• Tax withheld (if any)
• Superannuation contribution
• Net pay (what hits their bank)
• Date of the pay period and payment date
• Employer ABN or business name

Parent tip: Keep a screenshot of each payslip — don’t rely on just the employer’s portal. Your teen will need this for tax time or super tracking later.

Superannuation for Teenagers

Many parents are surprised to learn their teen may already be eligible for superannuation (super) from their first job. While it doesn’t always apply, it’s important to know the rules — and help your teen keep track of it early.

When Employers Must Pay Super for Teens

Employers must pay super for teenage workers if either of the following applies:

• Your teen earns $450 or more (before tax) in a month, or
• Your teen is under 18 but works 30+ hours in a week

How much? Employers must contribute 11% of your teen’s ordinary earnings to their nominated super fund (as of July 2026 – always check the current rate).

Example:

Ava, 16, works two part-time jobs. She doesn’t earn $450/month from either, but she worked 34 hours one week at a retail store — so she qualifies for super for that week under the hours rule.

Choosing a Super Fund for Your Teenager

Your teen can:

• Nominate a super fund when filling in their employment forms
• Use the employer’s default fund if they haven’t chosen one

If your teen doesn’t already have a fund:

• You can help them set one up through your bank or a trusted industry super fund
• Most providers allow account creation for anyone 14+ with a guardian signature
• Look for funds with low fees and a youth account option

Important: If they switch jobs, they can keep using the same fund — no need to open a new one each time.

Helping Your Teen Find Lost Super Later

Lost super is common, especially for young workers who’ve had multiple casual jobs. Help your teen:

• Link their myGov account to the ATO to track super
• Use the ATO’s super fund search tool
• Consolidate any small balances once they’re older

Tip from experience:

“My daughter had 3 jobs during uni and ended up with 3 tiny super funds — all with fees. We only found out years later. Now we’ve rolled them into one.” – Renee, QLD

Conversation Starters: Teaching Teens About Money, Tax and Super

Your teen’s first paycheck is more than just spending money — it’s a chance to start real-world money education.

Here are easy, no-pressure ways to talk to your teen about tax, super, and earning without overwhelming them.

Explaining Tax and Super in Teen-Friendly Language

Start with something like:

“When you earn money, part of it may go to the government as tax — unless you earn under a certain amount. If too much was taken out, you’ll get it back at tax time.”

And for super:

“Your employer puts extra money into a separate savings account for your future. You’ll get it when you’re older — like long-term savings for retirement.”

Keep it relatable:

• Compare super to a “locked savings account”
• Use their payslip to show where tax and super go
• Reinforce that earning money also comes with rights

Setting Savings Goals From Their First Pay

Encourage your teen to split their earnings with this simple method:

• 50% spending
• 30% short-term savings
• 20% long-term goals or emergency buffer

You could ask:

• “Is there something you’d like to save for?”
• “Want help setting up a second savings account?”
• “Want to see how much you’d have after 6 months?”

Pro tip: Apps like Spriggy, Up, or Commbank’s Youth app make goal tracking fun and visual for teens.

Helping Your Teen Spot Payslip and Underpayment Issues

First jobs don’t always come with perfect payroll systems. Teach your teen to check their payslips regularly.

Checklist:

• Hours worked = hours paid
• Correct hourly rate shown
• Tax and super included
• Payment matches their account

Red flags to watch for:

• Paid in cash with no payslip
• No mention of tax or super
• Paid below award wage for their age

What to do:

If something looks off, suggest they raise it politely with their manager — or ask you to help them check the Fair Work Pay Calculator.

Teen First Job Tax & TFN FAQs

Does my teenager need a TFN for their first job?

Yes. If your teen is earning income from any job in Australia, they need a Tax File Number (TFN). Without it, their employer will withhold tax at the highest rate — even if they earn below the tax-free threshold. Please apply as soon as they accept the job.

How much can a teenager earn before paying tax?

Most teens can earn up to $18,200 per financial year before paying any income tax. This is called the tax-free threshold. But if they don’t give their TFN to their employer, tax may still be withheld — even on small amounts — and they'll need to lodge a return to get it back.

Do teenagers get super on their first job?

Yes, if they meet the criteria. Employers must pay super if your teen earns $450+ in a month, or if they’re under 18 and work more than 30 hours in a week. Super is paid into a nominated fund and belongs to your teen, even if they don’t access it for decades.

Can my teen work without a TFN?

Technically yes, but it’s not ideal. Employers can legally hire someone without a TFN, but they must withhold maximum tax (45%) from the pay until it’s provided. It’s always better to apply for a TFN before or immediately after the first day of work to avoid extra tax.

How does my teenager claim a tax refund?

If your teen had tax withheld but earned less than the threshold, they can lodge a tax return and likely get a full refund. This is done online through myGov, usually after June 30. Parents can help set up the ATO link and walk them through the steps.

Can parents talk to the ATO about their teen’s tax?

Only in limited cases. Once your teen has a TFN, they are legally considered the ATO’s client. You’ll need your teen’s permission — or go through ATO-authorised representative processes — to access their records. For general info, though, you can still call or check online.

Final Thoughts for Parents

Your teen’s first job is a huge milestone — and a perfect chance to teach financial responsibility early. By sorting out their TFN, checking for tax and super, and keeping key documents, you’ll set them up for success from their very first payslip. A little help now saves confusion (and lost money) later.

About the Author

Vicky Sarin is a tax and finance education writer based in Australia, with over 25 years of experience as a Chartered Accountant. He specialises in explaining tax and super in simple, family-friendly terms for new workers and their parents.