Tourist Refund Scheme | Claim GST & WET, check eligibility, and check status

Tourist Refund Scheme | Claim GST & WET, check eligibility, and check status. Australia offers a Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS) that allows international travelers, including Australians, to reclaim the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Wine Equalisation Tax (WET) on eligible goods purchased within the country.

This scheme is available for goods intended to be taken out of Australia via air or sea travel. In this guide, we’ll explore the TRS in detail, covering eligibility criteria and how to claim your GST and WET refunds.

Eligibility for the TRS

To qualify for a GST and WET refund, both Australian citizens and international visitors must meet specific eligibility criteria:

• Carry Your Goods: You must physically carry the goods you purchased to take them out of Australia.
• Minimum Spend: You must have spent a minimum of 300 Australian Dollars, including GST, with a supplier who holds the same Australian Business Number (ABN).
• Purchase Timeframe: Goods must be bought within 60 days of your departure date to be eligible for a refund.
• Valid Tax Invoice: Ensure you obtain a valid paper tax invoice in English. This invoice should include your name, a description of the goods, the retailer’s name, address, ABN, the amount of GST or WET paid, and the purchase date.

Claiming a TRS Refund Online

To claim your GST and WET refund for goods purchased within 60 days of your departure, follow these steps:

• Visit the TRS Facility: Present your passport, boarding pass, and original tax invoices at the TRS (Travel Refund Scheme) Facility. Do this at least 30 minutes before your plane departure or one hour before your ship departure.
• Timely Reporting: Ensure you visit the TRS Facility with enough time to spare. If you arrive with less than half an hour before your departure (by plane or ship), you won’t be able to claim a refund. Plan to arrive at least two hours before your departure time to allow for document verification and processing.

Important Considerations Before Claiming a TRS Refund

Here are some crucial points to keep in mind before attempting to claim a TRS refund:

• No Copies: Photocopied, reprinted, or duplicate invoices cannot be used for refund claims.
• Transportation Method: You can only claim a TRS refund if you intend to carry the goods with you on air or sea transport.
• Business Purchases: Goods purchased for business purposes are not eligible for a TRS refund.
• Name Match: The name on the tax invoice must match the name on your passport.
• Alcohol and Tobacco: You can claim a TRS refund for tobacco and tobacco products. For wine, refunds are applicable if the alcohol content is less than 22%. Beyond this threshold, no refund is available.
• Consumed Goods: Refunds can be claimed for goods such as food, drinks, and perfume, whether they are fully or partially consumed in Australia.

Checking TRS Status

To track the status of your Travel Refund Scheme claim, please note that the Australian Border Force does not offer a specific tracking tool. However, after claiming the Goods and Services Tax and Wine Equalisation Tax at the TRS Facility, it may take up to 24 hours to process your refund. You can visit https://trs.border.gov.au/ for further details regarding the TRS refund and its status.