Getting Your IRD Number in New Zealand: What Australians Need to Know

Your IRD number is New Zealand's equivalent of an Australian Tax File Number: a unique identifier from Inland Revenue that you need before you can work, open certain accounts, or receive most government payments. Sort it out in your first week.

Who can apply, and how

As at 26 August 2026, Inland Revenue (IRD) runs a streamlined "new arrival" process for people who have recently arrived in New Zealand. You apply online through myIR at ird.govt.nz. Australian passport holders get a window of four to six weeks after arrival to use this simplified process; visa holders need to apply by the final arrival date on their visa.

What you need depends on how you arrived:

• Australian passport holders: passport details only.
• Resident visa holders: passport details and your Immigration New Zealand application number.
• Student or work visa holders: passport details, your Immigration NZ application number, and your most recent overseas tax number if you have one.

You can give IRD permission to verify your identity directly with Immigration New Zealand, which saves you sending the same documents twice.

What you don't necessarily need

Unlike some countries' tax registration processes, IRD's new-arrival application doesn't require you to already have a New Zealand bank account or a fixed address to apply, based on the current guidance published at ird.govt.nz. That said, you'll want both sorted quickly regardless, since most employers and banks will ask for your IRD number as one of their own onboarding steps.

Once you have it

Give your IRD number to your employer before your first pay run, so PAYE (New Zealand's pay-as-you-earn tax system) is deducted correctly from day one. If you don't provide it in time, you'll be taxed at the no-notification rate, which is higher than your correct rate, until you do.

Key Takeaways

• Apply for your IRD number online via myIR as soon as you arrive; Australian passport holders have four to six weeks to use the simplified new-arrival process.
• Processing is around two working days by text or email, or up to ten working days by post, and the application itself is free.
• Give it to your employer immediately to avoid being taxed at the higher no-notification rate.
• Only share your IRD number with your employer, your bank and IRD; it's not required for everyday paperwork.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a New Zealand bank account before I can get an IRD number?

No. IRD's new-arrival process doesn't require a NZ bank account or address to apply, though you'll want to open an account soon after regardless.

How long does an Australian have to use the simplified new-arrival process?

As at 26 August 2026, Australian passport holders have four to six weeks after arrival to apply through the streamlined new-arrival pathway on myIR.

The bottom line

Apply through myIR in your first few days in New Zealand, using your passport and, if relevant, your Immigration NZ application number. It takes minutes to submit and a couple of working days to come back. Everything else, from your first payslip to opening a savings account, moves faster once it's done.

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