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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 K6sXmBz/PKvqpwk7Fml0vg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000939057-04-000003.txt : 20040109
<SEC-HEADER>0000939057-04-000003.hdr.sgml : 20040109
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040109111653
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000939057-04-000003
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040107
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040109

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HAMRE CLARENCE E
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001251569

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-23333
		FILM NUMBER:		04516946

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		7723 176TH AVE EAST
		CITY:			SUMNER
		STATE:			WA
		ZIP:			98390

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			TIMBERLAND BANCORP INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001046050
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SAVINGS INSTITUTIONS, NOT FEDERALLY CHARTERED [6036]
		IRS NUMBER:				911863696
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			WA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0930

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		624 SIMPSON AVE
		CITY:			HOQUIAM
		STATE:			WA
		ZIP:			98550
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3605334747

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		624 SIMPSON AVE
		CITY:			HOQUIAM
		STATE:			WA
		ZIP:			98550
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-01-07</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001046050</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>TIMBERLAND BANCORP INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>TSBK</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001251569</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>HAMRE CLARENCE E</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>7723 176TH AVE EAST</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SUMNER</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>WA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>98390</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <otherText>Chairman of the Board</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>

        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-01-05</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate>
                <value>2004-01-07</value>
            </deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>18865</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>22.94</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>60810</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>

    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The transaction is an Intra-plan transfer within the Timberland Bank 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan, which Mr. Hamre elected to have transferred on September 16, 2003.  The transfer was delayed until January 2004 because of administrative issues.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Includes indirect ownership of 20,000 shares held by wife, 15,870 shares held by MRDP Trust, and 1,135 shares held by IRA; does not reflect beneficial onwership of stock options reportable on Table II.</footnote>
    </footnotes>


    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Clarence E. Hamre</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-01-07</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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