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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 VgaaumQADjGaUecU7hqdnIbvHqYSyWYVm9Ug5HMLfFL0HFZC3bhmlsF+XLn/KfnK
 Qehkfx3BCeOlq4fSKoXxnQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000939057-04-000023.txt : 20040129
<SEC-HEADER>0000939057-04-000023.hdr.sgml : 20040129
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040129124606
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000939057-04-000023
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040127
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040129

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ROBBEL RONALD A
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001251581

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-23333
		FILM NUMBER:		04551418

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P O BOX 7109
		CITY:			BEND
		STATE:			OR
		ZIP:			97708

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>2004-01-27</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001251581</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>ROBBEL RONALD A</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>P O BOX 7109</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BEND</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>OR</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>97708</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>23.06</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-01-27</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>14169</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>23.06</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2005-01-27</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-01-27</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common  Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>14169</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>28339</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Stock Options were granted on January 27, 2004.  These options vest at the rate of 10% per annum.  However, for each year in which Timberland Bancorp, Inc. meets three of four established performance criteria items, the vesting percentage will be doubled to 20% per annum.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Ronald A. Robbel</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-01-27</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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