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My TRS Claim

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• 1. Disclaimer
• 2. My Travel Details
• 3. My Invoices
• 4. My Payment Details
• 5. My Claim Code

Step 2 of 5 -

Important note to all claimants.

This web page will assist you to enter information required to lodge a Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS) claim.

When you have finished entering your information it will be stored in a QR code. This QR code is your TRS Claim Code, and it must be presented at the TRS location at the airport on the day you depart from Australia.

Creating a TRS Claim 'QR' Code may allow your claim to be processed faster at TRS as your claim information is pre-filled.

Your Privacy

The Department of Home Affairs collects and deals with personal information in accordance with its Privacy Policy.

Your use of this TRS Application is regulated by its Terms and Conditions, including the application's Privacy Statement.

By checking this box, I understand and accept the TRS Application's Terms and Conditions, including the Privacy Statement.

Tax Invoice Requirements

A valid tax invoice includes:

• the retailer's name, address and Australian Business Number (ABN)
• a description of the goods that allows us to match the goods to the invoice
• the purchase price of the goods, including the GST or WET paid (or total price including GST)
• the date of purchase
• the invoice must be in English.

Tax invoices for $1,000 or more must also show your name (and only your name) as it appears in your passport.

Tax Invoice s :

Invoice Date: Invoices must be dated within 60 days of your Departure Date Invoices cannot be dated in the future Invoice/Receipt Number:

Total for : $

Estimated Refund for ABN: $

The invoices for ABN are not eligible for a refund because they total less than $300.

Total Of All Invoices: $ Estimated Total GST/WET Refund Being Claimed: $

Each abn on the claim must have invoices totalling a minimum of $300. the highlighted abns do not qualify., up to 10 invoices may be added..

* How do you want your refund to be paid, if approved?

 Credit Card

The following credit cards are accepted:

Please note Union Pay debit cards are not accepted.

This application does not collect credit card details. Present your credit card when submitting your claim on departure.

 Australian Bank Account

 Cheque (not recommended)

Cheques may take 2 months to arrive, from date of departure.

Travel Details:

Passport Issuing Country:

Passport Number:

Australian Resident:

Departure Date:

Invoice Date: Invoice/Receipt Number:

Total All Invoices: $

Estimated gst/wet refund in australian dollars being claimed against all invoices (if approved): $, payment details:.

Payment Method:

Present your credit card when submitting your claim on departure.

Account Name:

BSB Number:

Account Number:

Cheque Currency:

Declaration:

I claim the Goods and Services Tax (and Wine Equalisation Tax if applicable) under the Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS) for the goods described in this TRS claim application.

I confirm that:

• These goods were acquired by me within 60 days of my departure date, and paid in full for the amounts indicated in this TRS claim on the associated invoices;
• The goods in this TRS claim will be in my possession and exported by me on the specified date of departure from Australia.

I understand that if I return to Australia with the goods, I may be required to pay applicable duties including GST and WET.

You have finished supplying the information needed to process your TRS claim and it is now saved in the following claim code. Please print or save this claim code.

You may save the claim code by right-clicking it and selecting your browsers Save Image/Picture... option.

To submit your TRS claim, you must present this claim code and any additional claim codes you have created at the TRS location at your port of departure from Australia.

Ensure you have the following items ready to be inspected:

• The goods you are claiming a refund against;
• Your Tax Invoice(s);
• Your passport; and
• Your boarding pass.

If you cannot present your claim code, your claim will be processed manually.

If when requested by an ABF officer you cannot present some or any of the goods listed above, some or all of your claim may be rejected.

Please note: this claim contains invoices that do not meet eligibility requirements.

To submit your Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS) claim, you must present this claim code at the TRS facility at your port of departure.

If, when requested, you cannot present some or any of the items listed above prior to departing the country, some or all of your claim may be rejected.

Tax Invoice Summary

Tax Invoice s . Total:

Estimated Refund (subject to approval)

Terms and Conditions

Privacy statement.

The Department of Home Affairs (Home Affairs) is collecting and using your personal information for the purpose of assessing and refunding the Goods and Services (GST) and Wine Equalisation Tax (WET) in accordance with section 168 of the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 (Cth). Home Affairs may disclose this information to the Australian Taxation Office and any retailers from whom you have attached invoices for the purposes of assessing and determining your eligibility for a GST/WET refund. If a tax refund is due to be paid to you, your personal information will be disclosed to a contracted commercial agency to facilitate the processing of that refund.

Failure to complete this application or provide this information may result in Home Affairs being unable to process your tax refund using this application.

Personal information will be collected, used, stored and disclosed by Home Affairs in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles in Schedule 1 of the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).

Further information regarding how Home Affairs handles personal information can be found in Home Affairs' privacy policy .

Warning: The TRS claim code generated by this app is not encrypted and can be read by any device capable of reading a QR code. You bear sole responsibility for the security of the code and its data.

Conditions on the use of this application, the eligibility rules for making a TRS claim, and the process for making a claim are detailed on the TRS information page .

Legal Statement

Making a false or misleading statement to an officer, including by presenting false documents, may result in the application of penalties.

Any goods subject to this TRS claim must be declared if they are brought back into Australia. You may be required to repay the GST/WET refunded under the TRS plus any additional customs duties and taxes payable on the ENTIRE VALUE of ALL the general goods you are importing.

Failure to declare imported goods may also result in the application of penalties (see the TRS Information page).

Invoice Details

What can i claim.

You can claim on most goods provided you can present a valid tax invoice.

You cannot claim against:

• GST-free goods
• Services, such as car hire and accommodation
• Beer, spirits, tobacco and tobacco products
• Goods consumed in Australia
• Dangerous goods (goods you can't take out with you on the aircraft)
• Goods which are not accompanying you on departure including goods you have freighted or posted out of Australia.

For more information refer to the TRS Information page .

Invoice Items:

* Please describe OTHER goods below. Your claim will be rejected if these goods do not meet the TRS requirements.

Amount Paid for Claimable Goods, including GST/WET

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Want 10 per cent back on purchases over $300 when you leave Australia? You need to know about this.

Known as the Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS) , international travellers (including Australians) are able to claim a GST (Goods and Services Tax) and WET (Wine Equalisation Tax) refund for some goods bought in Australia when they take them out of the country on a plane or ship.

Here’s what you need to do:

• Spend at least $300 including GST from a store with the same Australian Business Number (ABN)
• Buy the good within 60 days of departure
• Pack your goods with you on board as carry-on luggage as you’ll need to show them at the airport
• The day you fly out after passing through security, you need to go to the TRS facility and make the claim in person by showing your goods, boarding pass and original tax invoices or receipts. You can only make the claim more than 30 minutes before your scheduled departure at an airport or 1-4 hours before your scheduled departure at a seaport, so best get there early in case there is a queue

For purchases over $1,000, your name must appear on the invoice as it is on your passport. The invoice must include a description of the goods that allows the TRS to match the goods to the invoice, the retailer's name, address and ABN (ACNs and ARNs not accepted), the amount of GST or WET paid (or total price including GST) and the the date of purchase.

The TRS will send you the refund to your credit card (Amex, Diners, JCB, MasterCard, Union Pay, Visa) or Australian bank account. Cash refunds are unfortunately not an option. 

To speed up the process, download the My TRS Claim app or visit the My TRS Claim online portal. It’s the official government portal that allows you to prefill details of your claim like the receipt, your passport number and how you’d like to be refunded.Once you’ve entered all your details, you’ll be issued a QR code which you can present along with the original paper receipt and the goods. The app and portal don’t issue the claim, but rather help speed the process up. Both accept up to 10 invoices per QR code. 

Why you should shop with your passport in Europe

More Coverage

Aussies leaving the Europe Union to go home or travel outside the EU are eligible to be refunded VAT (Value Added Tax) – the European version of GST. When you’re shopping, ask the store if they provide VAT-free prices. You’ll still need to pay the full price in store, but you can make a claim when you leave. 

The minimum spend depends on the country. For example France’s threshold is €100.01 whereas Italy is €154.95 but it’s as little as €25 in Germany. Each country has a different VAT refund rate but it generally ranges from 11 per cent to 15 per cent. Say you buy a €150 handbag in France from a store that offers VAT-free shopping. The bag will actually cost you €132 after 12 per cent VAT is deducted from your purchase. When purchasing the bag, the shop assistant will provide you with a refund form and ask to show your Australia passport to prove you are visiting the EU. 

When you fly out of the EU, show the receipt, refund form, the goods and other required documents to the customs officer. They must stamp the form as proof of export – without this stamp, the refund can’t be processed. It takes up to two months to receive your refund. Here’s a comprehensive guide for the EU. The United States and United Kingdom unfortunately don’t refund sales tax to foreign visitors. 

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Tourist Refund Scheme information

The Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS) is part of the Australian Government tax system and allows the tax paid on the transaction to be reimbursed to all travellers when travelling out of the country with the goods (subject to certain conditions).

TRS is open to all overseas visitors and Australian residents, except for operating air crew. As you leave the country, you must wear or carry the goods as hand luggage with you to be inspected by the Australian Border Force (ABF) officers unless the goods are oversized or powders, liquids, aerosols and gels restricted to your packed luggage for security reasons.

More information can be found on the Australian Border Force website .

You can claim a refund if:

• Purchased goods have been made within 60 days of departure
• Your purchases is AU$300.00 (inc. GST) or more in one store
• As the travelling passenger, you have paid for the goods
• Present an original copy of the tax invoice to the ABF officers
• Other terms and conditions as outlined here

The Australian Government Department of Home Affairs have developed mobile and web Tourist Refund Scheme Applications (App) that allow you to enter the information required to lodge a TRS claim even faster. The information you enter will be stored in a QR code. This QR code is your TRS claim code. You must present it to an officer at the TRS facility on your departure from Australia.

Using the app you can enter:

• Your travel details
• Details of the goods for which you are claiming a refund of goods and services tax (GST) and/or wine equalisation tax
• How you prefer to receive your tax refund
• Further details can be found here

If your purchase is part of your carry-on luggage

After you have checked in for your flight, please make your way through the Passport Control and Security. The TRS office to right of the Heinemann Duty Free entrance. Please be sure to be there at least 90 minutes prior to your flight departure to allow sufficient time for the TRS Officers to complete your claim.

If your purchase is packed in luggage you intend to check in

If you want to make a TRS claim for powders, liquids, aerosols or gels and / or oversized items (such as golf clubs) that you are not able to take on board because of these limits, take your goods to the Australian Border Force Office for verification before you check in your luggage.

The Australian Border Force Office is located on Arrivals Level of the T1 International terminal near the Swissport office and glass lifts. You will need to do this before you check your luggage for your flight.

Find more information about these restrictions here .

If the TRS offices are closed

Australian Border Force endeavour to staff the TRS offices before all departing International flights. If the counters are closed, you may be able able to submit your claim by filling in a form and dropping your information into the dropbox located at the departures office. You will find this option at the TRS office to right of the Heinemann Duty Free entrance.

A list of terminal and parking maps are available to view and download here .

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Tourist refund scheme

The tourist refund scheme applies to goods purchased at prices that include GST or WET.

Last updated 21 April 2022

Travellers departing Australia can get a GST or WET refund under the tourist refund scheme (TRS), administered by the Department of Home Affairs and its operational arm the Australian Border Force (ABF).

The scheme applies to goods purchased at prices that include GST or WET, from a retailer with an ABN and registered for GST.

It does not apply to services such as accommodation. GST-free goods cannot get a refund under the scheme, as no GST has been paid.

Crew members of an aircraft or ship are not eligible to claim refunds under the scheme.

A traveller may claim a refund under the TRS if the purchases meet the following requirements.

• The purchases are from a single business with the same Australian business number (ABN) and total AUD$300 (GST inclusive) or more. For example, if you bought items from one business, even on separate invoices, that together total AUD$300 the goods were purchased within 60 days of departure from Australia.
• The traveller has original tax invoice/s for the goods.
• The travelling passenger paid for the goods.
• Carry or wear the goods on board the aircraft or ship as cabin baggage unless they are oversized or subject to aviation security measures and the airline requires them to be checked in as hold luggage.
• Present their tax invoices (in English), goods, passport and boarding pass to the TRS facility when departing Australia.
• Make the claim at the TRS facility at an airport at least 30 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time or 60 minutes if travelling on a cruise.

Residents of Australia's external territories, such as Norfolk Island, Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, can also get a GST refund if they export the goods to their home territory as accompanied or unaccompanied baggage or as cargo.

Travellers bringing goods back into Australia for which they have already claimed a TRS refund

You must declare any goods you bring back to Australia, for which a TRS claim was made by you or another person when the goods left Australia. You can do this by declaring the goods at question 3 on your incoming passenger card when you return to Australia.

Unless another concession applies, for example concessions on personal clothing (excluding furs), you may need to pay GST on goods you bring back into Australia. This happens when the value of those goods, combined with any other goods you import for which another concession doesn’t apply, exceeds the passenger concession allowance External Link .

Penalties may apply if you fail to declare these items.

What retailers are required to do

When a customer requests a full refund you should check their invoice to determine if they have already claimed under the Tourist refund scheme External Link . If a claim has been approved the invoice will contain a stamp from the ABF.

Customers applying for a refund when they have already obtained a TRS refund are not entitled to receive a refund for the GST/WET portion of the invoice.

To obtain a full refund, a customer must provide proof that the GST/WET has been repaid when they declared the goods on their return to Australia.

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Tourist Refund Scheme

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The Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS) is administered by Singapore Customs on behalf of the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS). The scheme allows tourists to claim a refund of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) paid on goods purchased from participating retailers if the goods are brought out of Singapore via Changi International Airport or Seletar Airport.

For more information on the scheme’s qualifying conditions and tourist eligibility criteria, please refer to IRAS’ webpage on Tourist Refund Scheme .

Where can I claim GST refund?

GST refund, subject to conditions of the scheme, can be claimed at these locations:

• Changi Airport
• Seletar Airport

How do I process my GST refund?

Before departing from the airport, please proceed to the electronic TRS (eTRS) self-help kiosk to apply for your GST refund. You will need to scan your physical passport to retrieve all eTRS transactions tagged to your passport.

• For check-in items: Before checking-in your purchases, proceed to the eTRS self-help kiosks located at the Departure Check-in Hall (before Departure Immigration) to apply for your GST refund.
• For hand-carry items: Proceed to the eTRS self-help kiosks located at the Departure Transit Lounge (after Departure Immigration) to apply for GST refund.

Customs Inspection: If you are notified at the kiosk to present your goods for physical inspection at the Customs Inspection Counter, you will have to present the following items in person :

1) Goods which you have purchased;

2) Original invoice/receipt issued by the retailer clearly stating the price, description of the goods, serial number (if any); and

3) Physical passport and boarding pass/confirmed air ticket.

Additional Information:

• You should be submitting your GST refund claim at the terminal where you will be checking in your purchases or where your flight will be departing from.
• Singapore Customs does not issue eTRS transactions nor process any refund (cash or non-cash). To check if you have been successfully issued with eTRS transactions by participating retailers or for updates on the refund status of your eTRS transactions, please visit touristrefund.sg to register and login to your e-Service account.

All refunds (cash or non-cash) are processed by Global Tax Free Pte Ltd (the approved Central Refund Counter Operator), not Singapore Customs.

For enquiries relating to the status of your approved refund, please contact:

Global Tax Free Pte Ltd

Tel: (+65) 6513 3756 ( Weekdays from 9am to 6pm ) Tel: (+65) 6546 5074 ( Weekdays after 6pm, Weekends and Public Holiday ) Email: [email protected] Website: touristrefund.sg

Refunds are not allowed on :

Services (like car rental, entertainment, dry cleaning, etc.);

Goods which are wholly or partly consumed in Singapore;

Goods purchased for business or commercial purpose;

Goods exported by freight;

Accommodation in hotel, hostel, boarding house or similar establishments; and

Goods not presented for inspection.

Do note that the following acts constitute serious offences which result in penalties and possible imprisonment:

Making a false declaration in the refund application to Singapore Customs; and

Taking goods out of the Departure Check-in Hall/ Transit Area or passing the goods to someone else, after the refund application has been approved.

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Understanding Tourist Refund Schemes and How to Maximize Them

How to get the most out of your refund.

When visiting international tourist destinations, some people get bitten by the shopping bug. Indeed, going abroad can make one curious about new environments and cultures. One way to satisfy this curiosity and learn more about the country you’re visiting is to buy some clothes, snacks, and souvenirs.

However, when you’re surrounded by so much unique merchandise, it can be tempting to buy them all. Fortunately, you can add more items to your shopping list while still staying within your budget if you know how to use tourist refund schemes effectively.

What are Tourist Refund Schemes?

Tourist refund schemes, often known as VAT refund schemes, allow travelers to reclaim a portion of the value-added tax (VAT) or goods and services tax (GST) on purchases made during their trip. Eligible items encompass a wide variety, from luxury goods and souvenirs to electronics and fashion.

The main reason why there are tourist refund schemes is to entice travelers to spend more while abroad. This then stimulates tourism and boosts the local economy. As such, numerous countries have tourist refund schemes implemented into their tourism programs. Some of these countries include:

Netherlands

Keep in mind that tourist refund schemes don’t apply to every shop and purchasable goods in the country you’re visiting. To make the most of these opportunities, below are some things you can do.

Know How Much You Need to Spend

Just because you bought something doesn’t mean that your purchase will immediately be eligible to receive a VAT refund. Each country has different conditions for their tourist refund schemes, but one common requirement that you have to meet is the minimum purchase amount. Whether you’re paying in cash or using your credit card , you have to at least spend a certain amount to qualify. In Australia, you have to spend at least AUD 300 in total from participating stores. Meanwhile, in Thailand, you must purchase at least THB 2,000 worth of goods (for luxury goods, it’s THB 10,000). In Singapore, on the other hand, you have to spend at least SGD 100 to get a refund.

Each spending scheme also has its own set of mechanics, like meeting a maximum spending limit per day or store or reaching the limit by combining the accumulated amount from up to three same-day invoices. As such, it’s in your best interest to research the conditions of the tourist refund scheme of the country you’ll be visiting to give you a good idea of how it works.

Create a Strategic Shopping Plan

Once you know the mechanics of the country’s tourist refund scheme, the next step is to create a strategic shopping plan before you depart. Preparing in advance can help you make informed purchasing decisions, as well as create a shopping itinerary that fits your entire travel schedule.

When creating your shopping plan, you want to focus on researching products that are eligible for refunds and participating stores. This way, you can go straight to buying the items you want. Products that qualify you to get a travel tax refund are typically called standard-rated goods. These include:

Clothing and accessories

Electronics

Cosmetics and perfumes

Watches and jewelry

Souvenirs and handicrafts

Luxury goods

In some countries, alcohol and tobacco products don’t qualify. VAT-exempted goods are also disqualified. Moreover, qualified goods may lose their eligibility if they’re opened and consumed in their country of origin or if you fail to claim your refund during a specific time frame.

Fortunately, stores that actively participate in tourist refund schemes are well-versed in the process. In case you have any questions, they can guide you to ensure that you have a fast and smooth refund experience. Some stores also have signs indicating that they participate in the tourist refund scheme, so you immediately know where to go.

Document Your Purchases

Before you can get your refund at the travel tax counters, you have to present the necessary documents to ensure a successful claim. These important papers include original receipts, invoices, and refund forms. Make sure that the details on these documents match those on your passport and other travel documents. In some countries, they’ll be looking for the business number on the invoice to ensure that the store you’ve bought the product from is registered under the tourist refund scheme.

Be Aware of Administrative Fees

While tourist refund schemes offer financial benefits , it’s important to be aware of potential administrative fees associated with the refund process. Some schemes may deduct a small percentage as a processing fee, so factoring these charges into your calculations will ensure you have an accurate estimate of your final refund amount. In the UAE, for example, tourists will receive 85% of the total VAT while the remaining 15% will be deducted as the administration fee.

With many countries implementing tourist refund schemes, shopping at international destinations will definitely be a fun experience. Keep these tips in mind so you can purchase a wide variety of goods and still be able to enjoy plenty of savings.

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Australasia , Australia · July 20, 2022

Sydney Airport Tax Refund: How to Use the Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS) in Australia

Looking for information on how to get the Sydney Airport tax refund? Here’s all you need to know about the Tourist Refund Scheme at Sydney Airport and other airports in Australia.

Did you know that tourists are able to claim a GST (Goods & Services Tax) refund on certain purchases when they leave Australia? The Tourist Refund Scheme allows international travellers take advantage of GST-free shopping if they are departing Australia and taking the products with them.

So if you need to buy a new phone, some expensive jewellery or perhaps just do some shopping for the next season, it’s worth looking into how much money you might save in Australia.

Sydney Airport tax refund FAQs

What is the trs.

The Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS) lets international travellers departing Australia claim GST back on some of the purchases they made while in the country.

What do you get back?

GST in Australia is 10% on most goods and services in Australia, so you can claim this back through the Tourist Refund Scheme. You’ll see the total GST amount on your tax invoice, or you can divide your purchase by 11 to find the GST amount.

What items can you get tax back at the airport on?

Most products in Australia have GST included in the price, and you can claim back the GST on most of these items if:

• The amount you’ve spent at a single supplier is more than $300 (can be over multiple purchases on different days)
• You’ve made the purchases within 60 days of your departure
• You’ve got a valid tax invoice (more on that below)

You cannot claim GST back on things like food and drink, experiences or services, or anything that you consume (partly or wholly) in Australia, like food or perfume. You can claim GST back on items you have already opened and started using, provided they aren’t consumable.

You also need to have the items with you in your carry on luggage so the TRS staff can sight them at the TRS counter which is past security. If the goods are too big to put in your carry on then you’ll need to have them checked at the ABF (Australian Border Force) Client Services desk before you check in and receive a confirmation that they’ve been seen and approved before you check in your bag, then you can show your stamped form at the TRS counter once you’re through security to go through the remainder of the process.

What do you need in order to get a tax refund at Sydney Airport?

In order to get your tax back at Sydney Airport (or any other Australia international airport) you’ll need:

• All the items you are claiming for (or a stamped form from the ABF to say the oversized goods have been sighted before check in)
• A printed original tax invoice (not online, not photocopied) that shows all items from each separate store, which must include the GST amount, the business name, ABN and address, the date of purchase, and if the purchase is over $1000 it also must show your full name as per passport
• Your passport and boarding pass
• The credit card you want the refund processed to, or you can choose to be refunded to an Australian bank account instead

How do you claim tax back at Sydney Airport?

Once you go through security you need to make your way to the TRS office, which is a short walk to the left when you come through the duty free shops after security and passport control.

The TRS office can have long lines at busy times but when I visited there were only two people in front of me so it didn’t take long at all. Tp be safe though, and especially if you have quite a lot of stuff you want to claim for, get to the airport early and check in as early as you can to make sure you have time. If your flight is within 45 minutes of you being at the TRS office then they won’t process your refund because they don’t want to be the reason someone misses a flight.

At the TRS office you just need to show the goods you are claiming for and all the documents, they’ll pop your details into their system, and off you go to catch your flight!

How long does it take to receive the refund?

The website says it can take up to ten weeks to receive the refund however mine have always been much quicker. I’m sure it depends on demand so if you claim back around Christmas time it’s likely to be longer, but my most recent claim (June 2022) took only five days.

What other airports can you get a refund at?

You can claim GST back at any international airport in Australia, each international airport has a TRS facility. If the TRS facility isn’t staffed (we all know there have been severe staffing issues in airports right now) then you can speak to any ABF Officer and they’ll let you know where to go to process your tax refund before leaving.

You can also claim GST back in many other countries including Singapore and New Zealand too, always do a quick Google search before planning your trip because if you need to buy expensive items like a laptop or camera it can save you some decent money!

I hope this post has helped you figure out how to claim your GST and get a tax refund at Sydney Airport before departing Australia. I’ve used the TRS more than five times now and I’ll always plan my purchases out to make sure I can get an easy discount! Let me know your experience with the TRS in the comments below.

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February 27, 2023 at 6:04 pm

I would like to claim a tax refund on goods travelling in the hold. Can you please advise how I go about doing this. I cannot see anywhere at the airport (on the map) showing me where to go before I check in.

February 27, 2023 at 6:52 pm

Hey Carol! The ABF website says that you can have goods inspected by an ABF Officer before check in at the ABF desk at the arrival hall of terminal 1 by the glass elevators. If you get there and it’s not clear where to go then I’m sure you could just ask any ABF Officer and they’ll show you the way 🙂

June 5, 2023 at 10:11 am

What about purchasing items online we have confirmation receipts can we print that and use that as proof of purchase?

June 5, 2023 at 4:56 pm

My understanding is that you can claim GST back from online purchases within Australia as long as you have the required paperwork, like the full tax invoice with the company’s ABN number etc. I hope this helps!

September 17, 2023 at 11:10 am

I want to claim GST on new iPhone I just bought. I have already opened the packaging though. Am I able to claim GST of opened phones as well?

September 17, 2023 at 10:36 pm

You can claim GST back on things you have used and opened, provided they are not consumable (e.g. make up or perfume that’s been opened won’t be eligible, but things like clothing, phones or jewellery are eligible).

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Tourist Refund Scheme – How To Get Your Tax Back In Australia

• December 14, 2019
• Tips, Tricks & Hacks

There is nothing more satisfying than to start a holiday with a tax break before you jump in your plane. The Tourist Refund Scheme provides people leaving Australia the opportunity to get their GST back  on purchases made in Australia where GST is payable. You can claim back the GST on items up to AUD$900 (ie get AUD$90 back), take the goods out of Australia and bring them back in. It’s a no brainer. To get your tax back requires organisation and preparation. I try to get some tax back on each trip, whether it is a new phone or some Icebreaker travelling clothes . Goods you want to claim the tax on need to be taken to the airport and you need to leave Australia with them.

Tip: You can only claim tax back for items purchased sixty (60) days before your departure.

In this post:

Get to the Airport early to get your tourist refund tax back

You just don’t know who is going to be in front of you, how efficient the processing crew are or even how many staff are on duty. I once saw a bride turn up with all her wedding dresses only to have to leave the queue in tears as she missed the cut off. You need to have the claim processed 60 minutes prior to departure. This is different to getting in  the queue!  On my recent trip to Singapore, I booked a transit via Brisbane. I only gave myself 90 minutes to get from Domestic to International blithely forgetting I was planning to claim some tax back for my new Pixel 3 XL phone. To get to the TRS office in Brisbane from the domestic airport you need to catch a shuttle bus to the international terminal. Between the plane being delayed and the transfer bus being late I missed the cut off by 15 minutes. I was more worried about missing my refund and time in the lounge than missing my connection! The great news about Brisbane is the TRS counter is immediately on your right as you go through customs. The TRS counter in Brisbane was totally different from previous Sydney experiences. Even though I missed the cut off (and had not finished entering the claim in the app) they processed the paper for the new Pixel phone and refunded to my Westpac Amex Black card .

Getting your tourist refund tax back on bulky items

If you turn up with bulky items e.g. snow boots or a bicycle then you will need to go to TRS before you check your bags in. In Sydney its bang in the middle of the terminal. Just look out for the large replica of the Charles Kingsford Smith airplane. I don’t know how this would work if you transited in Brisbane or Perth.

Download the TRS app before you leave

Available on the Android and Apple app stores. Just search for Tourist Refund Scheme. Obviously its a free app! This is a relatively simple to use app. You will need to ensure that your invoice has an ABN and that is for something you can claim tax back on. Alcohol is not on the list.When using it for a second trip you will need to delete all your old invoices and start again.

Tip: Bring a physical copy of the invoice, even for purchases made online.

Don’t be greedy, there is no upside

There are limits as to how much you can take. For an individual the tax free amount per adult is  AUD900 and for under 18 is AUD450. So if you are a family of three you can claim 900+900+450=2250.  This means you can get AUD225 back.  You have my attention! I have heard of people claiming a very expensive diamond suitable for an engagement ring on the basis they wont bring it back to Australia “cough”. While they got their tax back they were also given the third degree on their return to Australia. My view is you will be flagged for further investigation. Not something you want on your CV.

Consolidate your invoices

You can consolidate invoices if you want to get over the magical $300 limit. This is such a simple hack. So if you do multiple trips to David Jones or Icebreaker just bundle them together, its a no brainer.

With just a minimal amount of planning you can claim back up to $90 in taxes. As Kerry Packer famously said:  “if anybody in this country doesn’t minimise their tax , they want their heads read”

Drew spends 3 months of the year travelling, and 9 months working which is just enough to support a credit card application habit. Destinations are chosen around cycling, hiking or skiing opportunities. For Drew it's as much about the deal as the destination!

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You'll soon be able to get an automatic refund when your flight is delayed or canceled

• Airlines must start providing passengers with automatic refunds when flights are delayed or canceled.
• New regulations announced Wednesday mean passengers can also get automatic refunds on delayed baggage.
• Previously, airlines set their own policies about when passengers were eligible for refunds.

Airlines are to be required to provide passengers with "prompt" automatic refunds when their flights are delayed or canceled under a new rule from the Department of Transportation, announced on Wednesday .

The regulations, which are being rolled out over the next six to 12 months, also entitle passengers to automatic refunds for delays to checked bags and for airlines' failure to provide paid-for extra services.

Under the DOT regulations, passengers can get a refund if their flight is canceled or significantly changed and they don't accept alternative transportation or travel credits offered. This includes domestic flights delayed by more than three hours and international flights delayed by more than six hours.

Significant changes that make passengers eligible for a refund include a change in the departure or arrival airport, an increase in the number of connections, and being downgraded to a lower traveling class. Passengers can also get a refund if they're switched to connections at different airports or flights on different planes that are less accessible for a person with a disability.

Previously, airlines set their own standards for which circumstances passengers could get a refund in, which could make it confusing for passengers trying to figure out whether they were eligible for a refund and how to apply, the DOT said in a press release.

It added that some airlines gave passengers a travel credit or voucher by default, meaning they couldn't use their refund to rebook on another airline "without navigating a cumbersome request process."

Related stories

Passengers are also entitled to a refund of their checked bag fee if their bag is delayed and they file a mishandled baggage report. The DOT says that the policy covers bags that aren't delivered within 12 hours of a domestic flight arriving at the gate, or 15 to 30 hours for an international flight, depending on the length of the flight.

And if passengers pay extra for a service such as WiFi, seat selection, or in-flight entertainment and then don't receive this, they're entitled to a refund for the fee they paid.

"The new rule makes it easy for passengers to obtain refunds when airlines cancel or significantly change their flights, significantly delay their checked bags, or fail to provide the extra services they purchased," the DOT said in a press release.

As well as being automatic, the refunds must be "prompt," which it describes as within seven business days for credit card purchases and 20 calendar days for other payment methods.

The refunds must be in whatever payment method the passenger originally used, whether cash, credit card, or airline miles, rather than substituting vouchers or travel credits unless the passenger accepts alternative compensation.  

The DOT also noted that airlines must provide a full refund, including all government-imposed taxes and fees and airline-imposed fees.

Many passengers have previously spoken to Business Insider about their troubles getting compensation for delayed and canceled flights and lost luggage. In 2020, when flights were canceled due to waves of COVID lockdowns, the DOT got more than 102,000 complaints from airline customers in total. Nearly 90,000 were related to refunds.

Travel chaos spiked in the summer of 2022 as vacationers returned to the skies after the pandemic canceled their plans during the two prior years. Summer travel this year is also expected to be significantly disrupted, with Boeing delaying some plane deliveries .

Watch: Thousands of bags pile up at US airports after flight cancellations

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Student Protest Movement Could Cause a Tumultuous End to School Year

Protesters were arrested at the University of Minnesota and Yale, and the House speaker, Mike Johnson, said he would come to Columbia to speak to Jewish students about antisemitism on campuses.

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By Troy Closson

As a wave of pro-Palestinian activism on college campuses showed few signs of abating on Tuesday, the demonstrations have raised new questions about what shape the end of the semester may take for thousands of students across the United States.

At Columbia University, where the arrests of more than 100 protesters unleashed a flurry of national protests, students will have the option to attend their last week of lectures remotely for safety reasons. At the University of Texas at Austin, protesters announced plans to occupy a campus plaza and said that, at least for them, “class is canceled.”

And at the University of Michigan, administrators were already looking ahead and bracing for graduation. They set up designated areas for demonstrations, and agreed to “generally be patient with lawful disruptions.”

“Commencement ceremonies have been the site of free expression and peaceful protest for decades,” the university said in an online message, adding, “And they will likely continue to be.”

The steps are an acknowledgment that the last weeks of the spring could be among the most difficult for administrators at some of the nation’s most prestigious universities. On Tuesday, the campus police at the University of Minnesota took nine people into custody after they erected a protest encampment, following dozens of arrests at Yale and New York University.

Other demonstrations continue to emerge from coast to coast, including at the University of New Mexico and Emerson College. At California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, students took over a campus building, and barricaded the exits with chairs and trash bins.

The pro-Palestinian student movement has disrupted campus life, especially for Jewish students. Many have said they no longer feel safe in their classrooms or on university quads as the tone of protests at times has become threatening. Speaker Mike Johnson said he would meet with Jewish students at Columbia University on Wednesday and give remarks about the “troubling rise of virulent antisemitism on America’s college campuses,” according to a news release.

At the same time, many school leaders may face the possibility of graduation ceremonies transforming into high-profile stages of protest over the war in Gaza.

No matter how administrators approach these final weeks, the stakes are uniquely high for students who are graduating. Many graduated from high school in the first months of the coronavirus pandemic, and never walked across the stage or celebrated alongside their classmates.

The tumult on campuses escalated after Columbia’s administration called in the police last week to arrest student protesters who had organized a large encampment on a school lawn and refused to leave.

At the New School in Manhattan, where protesters have set up tents inside a school lobby, a couple dozen students formed a picket line on Tuesday as they chanted to the beat of a drum. When one student was asked how long protesters intended to continue the demonstrations, she said there was no immediate end in sight.

“We’re demanding something,” said the student, Skylar Schiltz-Rouse, a freshman who joined the protest on Monday. “So if it doesn’t happen, we’re going to have to keep going.”

It was not yet apparent whether the turmoil at schools would prompt additional arrests, or whether college leaders would adopt a less aggressive playbook as the semester winds down.

Many administrators, watching the uproar at Columbia, seem to be choosing other strategies to handle the protests. Several universities, including Harvard and schools in the California State University system, have shut down parts of their campuses in an effort to avoid major clashes and conclude the school year quietly.

“What you’re seeing is an inability to find spaces for dialogue and conversation and understanding,” said Benjie Kaplan, the executive director of Minnesota Hillel, a Jewish student group.

After school leaders often inflamed unrest with their initial responses, some have begun to hit the brakes.

At Barnard College, Columbia’s affiliate school, many student protesters had received interim suspensions for last week’s tent demonstration. But in a Monday night email, the school’s president, Laura Ann Rosenbury, extended an olive branch.

The school would lift most of the suspensions and restore students’ access to campus, she said, as long as they promised to follow the rules. Those who still face discipline would have access to hot meals, mental health counseling and academic support. And with a professor’s permission, they could also finish out the semester virtually.

“I strongly believe that exposure to uncomfortable ideas is a vital component of education, and I applaud the boldness of all of our students who speak out,” Ms. Rosenbury said in the email, her first message since the arrests of protesters on Columbia’s campus last week, several of whom were Barnard students.

“But,” she said, “no student should fear for their safety while at Barnard.”

She added: “In these last few weeks together before our seniors graduate, let’s be good to one another.”

Some pro-Palestinian students, though, may regard commencement as an opportunity.

Protesters at many schools have vowed to press on until their universities divest from companies with ties to Israel, often chanting “We will not stop. We will not rest.” Administrators are on high alert for demonstrations or threats, as tens of thousands of families travel to campuses in May and June to attend graduations.

Dagmar Michelson, a senior at the New School, was unsure if protests were planned for the university’s May 17 ceremonies. But if they are, she added, she would not be upset.

“It’ll be nice for those who haven’t recognized their privilege,” she said.

Earlier this month, the University of Southern California cited security concerns when it canceled a speech by its valedictorian , a first-generation Muslim student who questioned the university’s explanation. The school later said it would also not host outside honorees.

Already, students have organized demonstrations meant to disrupt cherished college traditions.

At Michigan, several dozen protesters took over a celebration for honors students last month, waving signs that read “Divest Now” and interrupting a speech by the university’s president, Santa J. Ono, according to The Michigan Daily .

“Protest is valued and protected,” Dr. Ono said in a statement after the event. “Disruptions are not.”

Shira Goodman, the senior director of advocacy at the Anti-Defamation League, said the disturbance at Michigan “may unfortunately be a harbinger for what’s to come.”

The group is concerned about the potential of harassment or “identity-based hostility” toward Jewish families at graduation ceremonies. “We remain deeply concerned,” Ms. Goodman said in a statement.

Some colleges are now stepping in to promise Jewish students a safe haven. Brandeis, a historically Jewish university in Massachusetts, said this week that it would extend its deadline for transfer applications in response to campus protests.

The president, Ronald D. Liebowitz, said the school would provide an environment “free of harassment and Jew-hatred.”

Other schools have had little time to look ahead to the future as they reel from the last few days.

At N.Y.U., where at least 120 people were arrested on Monday night after refusing to vacate a plaza, several students said on Tuesday that they would continue to voice support for Palestinians, and were unconcerned that their protest activities might upend final essays and assignments.

The university had said it turned to the police because “disorderly, disruptive and antagonizing behavior” of protesters created safety concerns. But on Tuesday, a professional faculty organization shot back.

The school’s chapter of the American Association of University Professors called “much of their account” false, referring to the administration, and criticized the decision to call the police as an “egregious overstep.”

And at Columbia, the university’s president, Nemat Shafik, is facing the threat of a formal censure resolution from the school’s faculty for her handling of demonstrations. Many Republican lawmakers are also still calling for her resignation, arguing that the school has failed to safeguard its Jewish students.

The decision to offer hybrid classes at Columbia seemed to be a tacit acknowledgment that many students were, at the very least, uncomfortable there. Many are expected to log on from their dorms and apartments. Others might attend from a large protest encampment that remained in the center of campus.

Along with the demonstration, occasional outbursts at rallies have occurred outside the campus’s gates over the past several days. But otherwise, Columbia has been quiet during what is typically a bustling final week of the semester.

Angela V. Olinto, the university provost, said in an email on Monday night that if even one student wanted to finish out the year online, professors should offer hybrid classes — or move to fully remote if that was not an option.

“Safety is our highest priority,” Dr. Olinto said.

Maia Coleman , Eliza Fawcett , Colbi Edmonds , Jose Quezada , Ernesto Londoño , Kaja Andric , Coral Murphy Marcos , Dana Goldstein , Karla Marie Sanford and Stephanie Saul contributed reporting.

Troy Closson reports on K-12 schools in New York City for The Times. More about Troy Closson