Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS): How to Claim GST at the Airport

Planning a trip and eyeing a shiny new camera, tablet, or designer carry-on before you go? If you are departing Australia, the Tourist Refund Scheme can put real money back in your pocket. With the right receipts and a few smart steps, you can claim a refund of the Goods and Services Tax on eligible purchases at the airport before you fly. This guide shows you exactly how to do it, what to bring, how much you can get back, and how to avoid common pitfalls that cost travelers time and cash.

Whether you are a visitor or an Australian resident heading overseas, this is your complete, sales-savvy walkthrough to make the most of TRS and turn pre-departure time into tax-free savings.

What Is the Tourist Refund Scheme?

The Tourist Refund Scheme, often called TRS, is an Australian government program that lets departing international travelers claim a refund of the Goods and Services Tax on eligible goods purchased in Australia. In simple terms, buy eligible items in the 60 days before you leave, take them with you when you depart, present the goods and tax invoices at the airport TRS counter, and you can get back the GST you paid.

Key points at a glance:

• GST is 10 percent, so your refund is typically one eleventh of the price paid for eligible goods.
• The scheme is run by the Australian Border Force.
• Claims can usually be lodged at TRS counters inside the international departure area at major airports and some seaports.
• There is no upper limit on the value of goods you can claim, provided you meet the rules.

Who Can Claim Under TRS?

Good news. TRS is not just for tourists. You can claim if you are:

• A visitor to Australia departing internationally.
• An Australian citizen or permanent resident departing internationally.

You must personally take the goods out of the country as part of your accompanied baggage. You cannot get someone else to claim for you, and you cannot ship the goods separately and still use TRS.

What Purchases Are Eligible?

To qualify, your purchases must meet all of the following:

1. You bought the goods in Australia within 60 days of your flight or cruise departure.
2. The total spend with the same retailer, identified by one Australian Business Number, is 300 Australian dollars or more, including GST. You can combine multiple invoices from the same ABN to reach the threshold.
3. You will take the goods with you as carry-on when you depart. If they are oversized or restricted for cabin baggage, you must show them to an officer before you check them in.
4. You have valid tax invoices that meet TRS requirements.
5. You are the traveler departing and you present both the goods and the invoices at the TRS counter.

Examples of eligible purchases:

• Electronics like cameras, lenses, laptops, tablets, headphones.
• Fashion, shoes, accessories, and luggage.
• Cosmetics and skincare, subject to liquid limits for carry-on.
• Watches and jewelry.
• Sporting goods and outdoor gear.
• Wine, in some cases, if Wine Equalisation Tax and GST were charged and the wine is exported in checked baggage after inspection. Policies can vary, so confirm with the retailer and check your invoice.

What You Cannot Claim

Not everything qualifies. You cannot claim TRS on:

• Services, including accommodation, tours, spa treatments, training, repairs, and warranties sold separately.
• Gift cards and vouchers.
• Food and beverages that are consumed in Australia.
• Tobacco products and most alcoholic beverages purchased for consumption.
• Goods that you will not take with you out of Australia, including items that are shipped or posted.
• Duty free items bought at the airport after you have passed through outbound immigration, since GST is not charged on those.
• Goods where the business has already claimed an input tax credit in relation to your purchase and you are attempting to claim TRS as well. No double dipping.

If your invoice totals more than 1000 Australian dollars, it must show your full name and residential address. If it does not, ask the retailer to reissue it correctly.

How Much Can You Get Back?

GST is included in retail prices in Australia. The refund amount is one eleventh of the total price you paid for eligible goods if GST was charged. For example:

• A 1100 dollar laptop includes 100 dollars GST. Your TRS refund is 100 dollars.
• A 330 dollar pair of shoes includes 30 dollars GST. Your refund is 30 dollars.

If Wine Equalisation Tax is shown on a wine purchase, TRS can refund the WET amount as well as GST provided you meet the export and presentation rules for wine. Most travelers focus on GST refunds on goods they will carry.

There is no maximum refund amount. You can claim on big-ticket items as long as they meet the rules.

The Documentation You Need

Bring all of the following to the airport:

• Your passport.
• Your international boarding pass.
• The goods you are claiming. They must be available for inspection. If they are oversized or restricted for carry-on, see the section below on oversize and liquids.
• Original tax invoices from the retailer. Digital tax invoices are often accepted if they contain all required details, but having original paper invoices can help speed things up.

A valid tax invoice must include:

• The words Tax Invoice.
• The retailer’s name, address, and ABN.
• The date of purchase.
• A description of each item, the price, and the GST amount or a statement that the total includes GST.
• Your name and address if the invoice total is more than 1000 dollars.

Pro tip: Keep invoices flat, legible, and un-crumpled. Staple multiple invoices from the same ABN together.

Step-by-Step: How to Claim GST at the Airport

Follow this no-stress process to claim fast and avoid surprises.

1. Before you buy

• Check the date. Purchases must be within 60 days of your departure.
• Ask the retailer for a valid tax invoice that meets TRS requirements.
• If you think you will spend across multiple receipts, try to buy from the same retailer or chain with one ABN so you can combine invoices.
• For items over 1000 dollars, ensure the invoice shows your name and address.

2. Pack smart

• Place eligible goods and their invoices together in an easy-to-reach spot in your carry-on.
• If the goods are oversized or restricted for carry-on, plan to show them to an officer before you check them in. More on that below.

3. At the airport, before you check in

• If you need to check in an oversized item or a liquid that exceeds the cabin limit, go to the Australian Border Force Client Services counter or other designated location in the check-in hall to have the goods sighted. The officer will confirm you have the items, then you can check them in.
• Keep any confirmation they give you. You will still complete your claim at the TRS facility after security and immigration.

4. After security and outbound immigration

• Head straight to the TRS facility. Queues can be long at peak times. Build in extra time.
• If you used the TRS app, have your QR code ready.

5. At the TRS counter

• Present your passport, boarding pass, invoices, and goods.
• The officer may inspect the goods and verify the details on the invoices.
• Choose your refund method. You can usually nominate a credit card, an Australian bank account, or request a cheque to a mailing address.

6. After you claim

• Keep any acknowledgment the officer provides.
• Refunds are processed after verification. Credit card or EFT refunds often appear within several weeks, while cheques can take longer.

Oversized Items, Liquids, and Goods You Must Check In

You must be able to show the actual goods when you make your TRS claim. That can be tricky for:

• Liquids, aerosols, and gels that exceed cabin limits.
• Large or heavy items that exceed carry-on size or weight.
• Goods that airlines require to be checked for safety reasons.

Here is how to handle them:

• Arrive a little earlier and find the Australian Border Force Client Services counter in the departures hall, before check-in. Ask to have your goods sighted for TRS.
• An officer will inspect the items and your invoices and note that the goods were sighted.
• After that, you can check the items in with your airline.
• Proceed through security and immigration, then finalize your TRS claim at the airside TRS facility. Bring any sighting confirmation with you.

Practical examples:

• A case of wine: Have it sighted before you check it in, then check it as luggage.
• A surfboard, e-bike frame without battery, or oversized lens: Have it sighted landside, then check it.

If you do not have the goods available for inspection, your claim can be refused.

Domestic Connections, Final Port of Departure, and Seaports

Timing matters when your journey has multiple segments.

• Domestic to international connections: If you start at a domestic airport and connect to your international flight at a different airport, you must make your TRS claim at the final international port of departure. Keep the goods with you for inspection there. If you must check them at your first airport, have them sighted by ABF before you check them in, then complete the claim at the international airport TRS facility.

• Seaports: TRS facilities exist at some cruise terminals, but hours can be limited. Claims are typically lodged shortly before boarding. Check your port’s TRS arrangements and opening hours well in advance and arrive early with your goods and invoices ready.

Use the TRS App to Save Time

The official Tourist Refund Scheme app can streamline your airport experience:

• Pre-enter your personal details, retailer ABNs, invoice numbers, purchase totals, and item descriptions.
• The app generates a QR code.
• At the TRS counter, the officer scans your code to import your claim in seconds.

Tips for smooth app use:

• Double-check that invoice totals, ABNs, and dates match exactly.
• Add each invoice from the same ABN separately if needed.
• Keep the app and your phone battery ready at the counter.

Using the app does not guarantee priority, but it can cut down on data entry and reduce errors.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Avoid these missteps that can derail a claim:

• Arriving too late. Queues are unpredictable. Head to TRS as soon as you clear security and immigration, especially during holidays and peak hours.
• Packing the goods in checked baggage without having them sighted landside.
• Missing or invalid invoices. If an invoice is over 1000 dollars and does not show your name and address, or if the ABN is missing, ask the retailer to reissue a compliant tax invoice.
• Trying to claim for services or items consumed in Australia.
• Splitting purchases across different ABNs and failing to reach the 300 dollar threshold with any single ABN.
• Not matching traveler and goods. The traveler who is leaving must present the goods. If your partner is the one departing, they should carry the goods and invoices.
• Double claiming for business. If a business has claimed input tax credits on a purchase, you cannot claim TRS on the same purchase.

If You Are Returning to Australia Later

Plenty of Australians use TRS on laptops, cameras, and fashion items before an overseas trip. That is allowed, but there is a catch when you come home.

• Duty-free concession: When you return, you can bring back up to 900 dollars worth of general goods per adult (450 dollars per child) without paying duty or GST. This is the total combined value, not per item.
• If you exceed that concession, you must declare the goods on arrival and you may need to pay GST or duty on the full value of the goods, not just the amount above the concession threshold.
• The TRS refund you received does not remove your obligation to declare. In some cases, the GST you pay on return can be more than the refund you received if you exceed the concession.

Example:

• You bought a 2000 dollar laptop and claimed a 181.82 dollar GST refund through TRS.
• On return to Australia, your concession is 900 dollars. Because the laptop’s value exceeds the concession, you may be required to pay GST on the full 2000 dollars when you re-enter.
• The officer will advise the exact amount. Failing to declare can result in penalties.

Travel tip: If you plan to bring the goods back and their value exceeds your concession, factor in the potential GST on return when you decide whether to claim TRS.

Refund Methods and Timelines

At the TRS counter, you can usually nominate:

• Refund to a credit card.
• Refund to an Australian bank account by electronic funds transfer.
• Refund by cheque mailed to your address.

Processing time varies. A straightforward credit card or EFT refund can appear within a few weeks. Cheques take longer. Busy travel periods and verification checks can add time.

There is no cash refund at TRS counters.

Real-World Scenarios and Examples

1. The smart photographer

• You buy a 1500 dollar mirrorless camera and a 600 dollar lens from the same camera store chain with one ABN, across two receipts, all within 60 days of departure.
• You bring the camera and lens in your carry-on and present both receipts and the goods at the TRS counter.
• You claim the GST of one eleventh of 2100 dollars, which is about 190.91 dollars.

2. The designer wardrobe

• You purchase three items across two visits to the same boutique in the same mall. Each receipt is 160 dollars, but the total is 320 dollars with the same ABN. You can combine the invoices to pass the 300 dollar threshold.
• You wear one item to the airport. That is fine. Goods can be used before departure. Just make sure they are available to show if requested.

3. The wine collector

• You buy a mixed case of wine from a cellar door that issues a tax invoice showing GST and WET, within 60 days of your cruise departure.
• You arrive early at the cruise terminal, have the case sighted by ABF if required, then check it in.
• You finalize the claim at the TRS facility and receive a refund of the GST and any WET shown on the invoice.

4. The tech traveler with a domestic connection

• You fly Cairns to Sydney, then Sydney to Singapore. You must claim TRS in Sydney, the final port of departure.
• Keep your new tablet in your carry-on until Sydney. If you need to check it earlier, have it sighted by ABF in Cairns before you check it in, then complete the claim in Sydney.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I have to keep the goods unused until I leave? A: No. You can use the goods in Australia before departure. You must still present the goods for inspection when you make the claim.

Q: Can I claim on multiple invoices? A: Yes, as long as the invoices are from the same retailer with one ABN and the combined total is 300 dollars or more including GST. Invoices from different ABNs cannot be combined.

Q: Are online purchases eligible? A: Yes, if you bought from an Australian retailer, have a valid tax invoice that meets TRS requirements, and can present the goods and invoice at the TRS counter when you depart. Goods that are shipped overseas directly are not eligible because you will not be carrying them out.

Q: Can someone else carry the goods for me? A: No. The traveler who is departing and making the claim must take the goods out of Australia.

Q: What if my flight is delayed or I change flights? A: Keep your boarding pass and documents updated. If there is a significant change, the officer may need to verify your new flight details.

Q: Can I claim on repairs or services bundled with goods? A: You can claim for the goods component if GST is shown, but not for services like repair labor or extended warranties sold separately.

Q: What if my invoice is over 1000 dollars but does not have my name and address? A: Return to the retailer and ask for a compliant tax invoice before you travel. Without it, your claim can be refused.

Q: Is cash available at the TRS counter? A: No. Refunds are processed to a card, bank account, or cheque.

Pro Tips to Maximize Your TRS Refund

• Choose one retailer: If you plan to buy multiple items, try to purchase from the same retailer or chain with one ABN. That way you can combine invoices and cross the 300 dollar threshold easily.
• Check invoices on the spot: Verify ABN, date, GST, and the presence of your name and address if the total exceeds 1000 dollars. Asking for a corrected invoice days later can be time-consuming.
• Use the app: Preload your claim in the TRS app. It reduces delays at the counter and helps you spot invoice errors early.
• Plan for inspection: Keep goods accessible in your carry-on. For oversized or restricted items, have them sighted before check-in.
• Arrive early: TRS queues can be long. Head to the counter as soon as you clear immigration.
• Keep it in your name: If you travel as a family or group, consider putting large purchases in the name of the person most likely to be near the TRS counter early and organized. The traveler who claims needs to present the goods.
• Consider your return: If you will bring the goods back to Australia and the value will exceed your duty-free concession, you may owe GST on return. Factor that into your decision to claim TRS now.
• Keep records: Save your invoices and the TRS acknowledgment. If the refund is delayed, you will want quick access to all details.

A Traveler’s Checklist for TRS Day

• Purchases within 60 days and total at least 300 dollars with one ABN.
• Valid tax invoices packed together with the goods.
• Goods accessible, clean, and ready for inspection.
• Oversized or restricted items pre-sighted before check-in if needed.
• TRS app QR code ready on your phone.
• Passport and boarding pass at hand.
• Extra time to reach the TRS counter after immigration.

Why TRS Belongs in Your Travel Budget

If you are already upgrading your tech, wardrobe, or travel kit before a big trip, TRS can be the difference between good value and great value. That 10 percent back often covers a splurge dinner at your destination, a night in a better room, or airport lounge access you would otherwise skip. It is a small planning step with a clear payoff.

• Buy smart in the 60-day window.
• Keep your paperwork tight.
• Get to the counter with time to spare.

Done right, the Tourist Refund Scheme turns your pre-flight routine into a reward.

Conclusion: Turn Departure Day Into a Win

The Tourist Refund Scheme is one of the easiest ways to stretch your travel budget. With the right receipts, a clear plan for inspection, and a few minutes at the TRS counter, you can claim back the GST on eligible purchases and take off with extra cash in your pocket.

Think ahead, shop strategically, and use the TRS app to streamline the process. Whether you are flying for business, backpacking, or setting sail on a cruise, claiming GST at the airport is a savvy traveler move that delivers a real return. Start your trip with a win, and let that refund work for you at your destination.