International Student Tax Return

Yes, if you are working and earning wages while in Australia, you will have to pay tax. On average, students working in Australia pay 15.5% income tax on their earnings.
But the good news is that many international students in Australia are due a tax refund at the end of the year.

Yes. Anyone who works in Australia must file a tax return at the end of the financial year regardless of the income earned.
Filing a tax return will ensure that your tax affairs are in order (this is important when applying for future Australian visas!) and it will also allow you to claim a tax refund.

In order to file your tax return and claim your tax back you will need:

• Your payslips: keep your final payslip from each job safe, as this is the most important one when filing your return.
• Tax File Number (TFN): You will need your tax file number when filing your return as it is a personal reference number in the tax and superannuation systems to identify you.
• Work-related expenses: keep any receipts for work-related expenses, such as uniform, course, tools, car, etc.

If you file your tax return online, your refund will typically be processed in 2-4 weeks. Early tax submissions (paper returns) take 6-8 weeks.

The financial year in Australia runs from the 1^st of July, until the 30^th of June. However, if you leave Australia before the end of the financial year, then you can complete a tax return for the year in advance and lodge it with the ATO.

A tax file number (TFN) is your personal reference number in the tax and superannuation systems in Australia.

To avoid being emergency taxed when you start working you need to provide your tax file number (TFN) to your employer within the first 30 days. You can apply for TFN for free directly with the Australian Tax Office here

Tax deduction is a reduction of the income subject to tax, for various items, especially expenses incurred to produce income. Often these deductions are subject to limitations or conditions.

Basically, what this means is if you have spent money to pay for things to do with your job. E.g. uniforms, union fees, RSA/RCG, work related courses, safety equipment (safety boots, high visibility vest, etc), stationary, tools, travel between jobs and work sites, uniform and laundry receipt. Items & services like this are all tax deductible. You could get a large percentage of this money back in your tax refund.

If you don’t have receipts it is always advisable to talk to an accountant. Sometimes there are thresholds of money you can claim without having to show receipts. It is important not to be dishonest when doing your tax return. The Australian Taxation office does numerous audits every year on random and suspicious tax returns. You could risk big fines if you are found out to be falsely claiming tax deductions.

Superannuation in Australia is for paid by employers for “retirement pension contributions.” If you earn over $450 a month, your employer is legally obliged to pay 9.5% of your basic earnings into a superannuation fund for you.

Yes, non-residents can claim a refund of 70% of this superannuation back when they leave Australia. You can apply to receive you superannuation back online here.

You will need to list the name of your superannuation fund used by your employer, so be sure to ask. Below is an example of how much you may claim back:

• A student makes $15000 throughout their time in Australia. Their employers would contribute 9% of $15000 = $1350 to different superannuation funds on your behalf. This would mean the student would receive $1350 x 70% = $945back! A student should contact all former employers and ask for the following things:.