GST or VAT refund for tourist?
 

Please could some body tell me if a tourist, non Australian citizen, can get a tax refund for their shoppings in Australia? Europe has this system so I'm wondering if Australia offer the same thing. I'll be in Sydney soon so I would appreciate any help on this subject.<BR><BR>Thanks in advance.<BR><BR>Vinai

Hello Vinai,<BR><BR>I'm not an Australian but I am also doing research for an upcoming trip. I think you can get refund or declare your purchases at the airport and they will refund you. I'm not 100% sure since I live in Hong Kong and nobody here seem to know.<BR><BR>Wang

You must get a tax invoice from the seller which you then present to customs at the point of departure to obtain the GST refund. In other words you initially pay full price at the vendor and then claim back the GST component.<BR><BR>I believe the item must be over A$300.00 in order to do this. You will not get a refund on minor items like food etc. The only thing I am not sure on is if you can total your receipts in order to acrue over the A$300 in order to claim back the GST or if the A$300.00 has to be per item.<BR><BR>Cheers<BR><BR>Mav.

Yes, there is a tax refund scheme for tourists here in Australia. Details are on:<BR>http://www.customs.gov.au/taxref/trs.htm<BR>Have a great trip!<BR>Kay

Have researched this. You need to spend at least $300 in one store to be eligible. If you have multiple receipts from the same store, you can add them together. But you cannot add up receipts from many stores.<BR><BR>Hope that helps.

Thanks for all the replies!