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.
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
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
