This guide will assist new staff with entering onboarding details, and explaining concepts that are required by the ATO. Explanations for the fields are based on information provided by the ATO.

Your tax file number is a 9 digit number that's used to identify you in the Australian tax system. A TFN is free to apply for, and is required to apply for government benefits, lodging tax returns electronically, and more.

If you do not have a TFN when completing onboarding, you can select one of the following options:

Your pay basis is decided by your employer, and impacts hours of work, overtime conditions, leave types, and more. Choose either:

If you're unsure of what your pay basis is, reach out to your employer for confirmation.

If you've recently had a name change, and your name hasn't been updated with the ATO, select the Yes option and provide the family name the ATO does have on record.

If you have not updated your family name, or have already provided the ATO with details of your new family name, select the No option.

Confirm your residency for tax purposes. Choose either:

If you are a foreign resident, you may still be an Australian resident for tax purposes - to check, visit the ATO website.

Claiming a tax-free threshold will reduce the amount of tax withheld from your income. Generally, if you only have one employer, you may be able to claim the tax-free threshold, although it's important that you confirm this.

Learn more about claiming the tax-free threshold on the ATO website.

You may be able to claim a seniors and pensioners tax offset if you meet conditions around Australian Government pension/allowances for you and your spouse's income.

Learn more about eligibility for this offset on the ATO website.

You may be able to claim a zone, overseas forces, or invalid career tax offset if you meet the eligibility criteria required by the ATO.

Learn more about the criteria for this offset on the ATO website.

If you have undertaken tertiary education or an apprenticeship, you may have accrued a HELP, SSL, or TSL debt to finance the study. Having this debt will affect how your employer pays you.

Learn more about study and training debts on the ATO website.

A student Financial Supplement scheme debt (SFSS) was a voluntary loan similar to other study and training debts. While the scheme is closed, some may still be repaying these debts.

Learn more about the SFSS on the ATO website.

For this field, select how you are receiving your pay from the following options:

You may need to confirm with your employer what your income type is. Learn more about these income types on the ATO website.

For this field, select which classification you fall into from the following options:

You may need to confirm with your employer what your income type is.

Tip: If you are not a horticulturist, shearer, senior, pensioner, or working holiday maker, you'll likely be under the 'Regular' category.

Choose either:

Learn more about the difference between an employee and a contractor on the ATO website.