Being the sixth-largest country in the world, Australia is a mega-diverse nation known for its beautiful coral reefs, amazing beach life, and high-standard of living. Its unique wildlife and vibrant urbanization also attracts enthusiast tourists from all over the globe. And to complement that, Australia’s cuisine acts as a melting pot of influences from around the world, ultimately reflecting the country’s multi-cultural society.
Protecting the country’s interests is the Australian Border Force (ABF), responsible for screening the import and export goods, including illegal transportation of weapons, drugs, and contraband items. The organization also works to protect the nation’s bio-security by preventing the entry of diseases and pests. So, as an international traveler, when you are travelling out of Australia (either on a plane or a ship), you will be eligible to claim a GST (Goods and Services Tax) and WET (Wine Equalization Tax) refund on the purchases you have made during your stay. And to understand the steps you need to follow, simply go through our guide in its entirety.
Steps to Claim Refund Online
The Australian Border Force has carefully streamlined the claim lodging process for international travelers when it comes to GST and WET refunds using the Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS). For starters, interested applicants can provide all the details of the goods for which the tax refund is to be claimed through My TRS – either online or via apps on your smartphone. To start the process today, follow the recommended steps provided below.
1. Begin your journey by visiting the official TRS website here. You can also download the My TRS App from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.
2. On the landing page, accept the privacy requirement and then click on “Next”.
3. You will then be required to state your travel details, such as your passport number, passport issuing country, Australian residency status, and the date of your departure from the country. Once done, click on “Next”.
4. In the next step, you need to provide details of the invoices (scanned copies) of the goods that you are planning to refund. If you have more than 10 invoices to upload, you can do that in batches of 10 and print a QR (Quick Response) code for each batch.
5. After that, you will need to provide details of the payment source to which the tax refund will be issued. Refund options include credit cards (Amex, JCB, Diners, Union Pay, Visa, and MasterCard) and bank transfers (Australian bank accounts).
6. Lastly, once you have completed all the above-mentioned steps, you will be provided with a claim code that you need to present at a TRS facility.
On the day of your departure, show your QR code(s), original paper tax invoices, and the goods at a TRS facility. Alternatively, if there is a drop-box, simply fill out the requisite paper form, attach all the relevant invoices and printed QR codes, and provide a mailing address.
Other Ways to Claim
Besides initiating the tax refund claim online or via the My TRS App on your smartphone, you can also directly get in touch with the TRS facility located at the airport through which you are making your departure from Australia. TRS facilities are usually located within the international terminals of most Australian airports. Visit the websites of Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane airports for more details.
Know the Requirements
The Tourist Refund Scheme allows international travelers traveling out of Australia to claim refunds on the goods that they have bought during their stay in the country. However, to be eligible for a tax refund on the GST and WET paid, tourists must fulfill a set of strict rules and regulations.
The primary requirement states that you should make a purchase of at least AUD 300 (including GST), and the goods must be bought from a supplier having the same ABN (Australian Business Number) to be eligible for a refund. And the goods must be purchased within 60 days of departure.
Additionally, you must obtain a valid paper tax invoice in English stating only your name (as in your passport) if the value of your goods is AUD 1000 or more, along with the date of purchase, description of the goods, the amount of GST/WET paid, and the retailer’s name, address, and ABN. Also, on the day of your departure, you must report to the TRS facility more than 30 minutes before your departure at an airport or 1-4 hours before your departure at a seaport.
It should be known that failing to declare any goods can impose penalties, and if you decide to bring back the goods (on which the tax refund has been claimed) to Australia, then the value of goods that exceeds the passenger concession allowance will be subjected to customs duties.
In addition to that, there are certain items on which a tax refund cannot be claimed. They include tobacco, tobacco products, alcohol (except wine with an alcohol content less than 22 per cent), perfume, food and drinks, dangerous goods (gas cylinders and fireworks), cosmetic enhancements (breast, dental, and hair implants), gift cards and vouchers, GST-free goods (medical aids, baby foods, nebulizers, etc.), and services.
For any additional assistance, you can get in touch with the TRS authorities via phone at 1300 555 043 (domestic) or +61 2 6245 5499 (international).
