Tourist Refund Scheme: explained and elaborated

Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS) as the name suggests is a part of the Australian government’s taxation system that allows people, both travelers and Australian citizens alike, to get refunds on GST and other taxes.

With TRS, travelers from overseas and Australians as well can get refunds on the Goods and Services Tax and Wine equalization tax paid on goods bought in Australia and then out of Australia that too in a checked luggage or carryon bags, provided they meet certain conditions. Air and sea crews who are in operation are not eligible for TRS. To make a claim at the TRS facility, you need to take your bought goods, the respective tax invoices in original, your passport and boarding pass. Different goods have different conditions applied to them. For instance to get refunds on oversized items and LAGs goods you must get them verified at the Australian Border Force ‘s client service office.

According to Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP), you can claim a refund if:

• you purchased the goods in the 60 days before you leave Australia
• Your 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, these items could be eligible for a tax refund under the TRS
• you, as the travelling passenger, paid for the goods

·         You have an original tax invoice for the goods.

·         If the shop has issued you with an electronic tax invoice you will need to provide this on your device when making a claim.

• you wear or carry the goods as hand luggage aboard the aircraft or ship as you leave Australia
• If the goods are liquids, aerosols or gels (LAGs), or oversized or bulky goods that the airline requires to be checked in as hold luggage you need to have these good verified at the ABF Client Service office before checking the goods in with your luggage.