Tax File Number (TFN) for ABSTUDY 106-07060030

Item

Description

1

General requirements

• Ensure current form is used
• Ensure the original form is returned (i.e. not a faxed or uploaded copy)
• Only documents that meet ATO requirements should be completed on the form. If the identity documents supplied by the customer are not sufficient to apply for a TFN they must either supply acceptable documents or visit the ATO website for more information
• Complete the Office Use Only block only if the applicant is a Services Australia customer
• Form must be completed in pen. Use black ink, where possible, as this will enhance the potential to scan the form. Pencil is not acceptable
• Print all details clearly
• Write only within the boxes
• Do not use whiteout or covering stickers. A new application must be completed
• All alterations on the application must be signed by the applicant with a full signature
• Date of Birth field must only be completed where the date of birth is blank or the date provided does not match the identity documents provided
• If relevant, ensure the Proof of Identity reference has been completed in full, including their position, the period of time they have known the applicant and their signature

Application verification

• Staff must sign and print their name
• A stamp must be imprinted within the 'office stamp' box when the application is complete and ready to submit to the ATO
• Any additional notes should be legibly written only within the 'notes' box

2

Applicant Proof of Identity block

Print the applicant's identity document details in the application block. Secondary B codes are written directly below the Primary A coded documents.

The ATO require customers who are aged 16 or over to provide one primary and two different secondary documents to meet their identity requirements.

If the customer is aged under 16, they must provide one primary and one secondary document to meet their identity requirements.

Note: there are additional accepted secondary (category B) documents for applicants under 16 years of age.

See Acceptable documents and coding for TFN applications.

3

Link Documents block

A link document is used to establish the relationship between the applicant and the person signing the application. The link document details must be recorded in the link document box when a:

• representative or nominee has signed the application on behalf of the applicant
• customer has supplied a document to verify a change of name

Valid link documents and codes are:

• Australian Birth Certificate - LABC
• Medicare Card - LBMC
• Letter of Authority - LLOA
• Proof of Parentage/Guardianship Documents - LLPG
• Power of Attorney - LPOA
• Overseas Birth Certificate - LOBC
• Change of Name Document - LCON
• Change of Name by Deed Poll - LCDP
• Marriage Certificate - LMGS

4

Representative or Nominee's proof of identity block

When a representative or nominee has signed the application on behalf of the applicant, their identity documents must be recorded in this block.

Write the full document details (document code, document number, place of issue and date of issue or expiry) in the appropriate boxes.

5

Certification

It is important to complete the following details to minimise the risk of the form being rejected:

• The Service Officer must sign and print their name in block letters and include their phone number
• The Customer Reference Number (CRN) must be entered
• The office stamp must be imprinted within the 'office stamp' box when the application is complete and ready to submit to the ATO
• Any additional notes should be written only with the 'notes' box
• Enter the visa number and sub class if a foreign passport has been presented

6

Common errors

The most common reasons for rejecting applications originating from Services Australia:

• Writing 'identity sighted' instead of recording the details of the documents sighted
• Missing or incorrect Customer Reference Number (CRN)
• No office stamp imprint
• Alterations on the application not signed with a full signature
• 'Office Use Only' block not completed
• Questions one to four on the front page not filled in
• Date of birth missing or incorrect (for example current year entered as year of birth)
• Home address not completed where the postal address is a post office box
• Proof of Identity reference has not been completed in full
• Known applicant and applicants name not completed or no referee signature

7

Identity documents required for Representative or Nominee

Representatives who sign on behalf of the customer must provide their own full identity documentation or their own TFN together with a link document showing the relationship between the two parties.

The level of identity required in most cases will not be the same as the customer. For example, a parent signing on behalf of a child must meet the requirements for a person 16 years and over (i.e. one primary and two secondary documents), while the child under 16 would only require one primary and one secondary document.

See Acceptable documents and coding for TFN applications.

8

Process if the document number is not recorded, or is recorded incorrectly

The ATO systems do not allow the application to be processed without a document number.

At present, there is no real time check with other agencies to determine if the document number is correct at the registration stage. However, the ATO does post registration checks with these agencies to verify the validity of the identity documents provided. A correct document number is an essential component for these checks.

9

Service Officer signing as referee on NAT 1589

To prevent any potential conflict of interest, if a Service Officer signs as the referee for a customer on the NAT 1589, a different Service Officer should accept and certify the form.