Passport

Please ensure your passport has at least 6 months’ validity.
Kindly renew your passport if the validity period falls before 23 September 2023.

Visa Eligibility

Singapore, Hong Kong, UK, Malaysia, UAE and India passport holders will require a visa to enter Australia.

Citizens of the following countries can apply for an Electronic Travel Authority (Tourist Stream, Subclass 601) to enter Australia:

• Singapore
• Hong Kong
• United Kingdom
• Malaysia

Citizens of the following countries will require an E-Visa (Tourist Stream, Subclass 600) to enter Australia:

• UAE
• India

Please apply for your visa as early as possible as the processing time can range from 2 weeks to 2 months.

For more information,

• You can check your type of visa here: Explore Visa Options for Visiting
• For ETA applications download the ETA app here:
  • For Apple: AustralianETA
  • For Android: AustralianETA
• For E-Visa applications into Australia, click here: ImmiAccount

The standard GST rate in Australia is 10%. 

You are eligible for a VAT Refund before leaving Australia if you meet all the following requirements:

• The goods need to be bought in person in a period of 60 days before departure.
• You are eligible for a tax return if you purchased goods totalling AUD 300 from one company, even if they were purchased on different invoices.
• You must have an original paper tax invoice for the goods. If you do not have an eligible tax invoice you cannot make a claim.
• You need to have the goods with you in your carry-on luggage when flying out. For oversized and restricted goods, they must be sighted by ABF Client services before checking in and you will have to take the stamped invoices to the TRS Facility on the day of departure.
• You can remove your goods from the packaging and use them. You do not need to bring the packaging to make your TRS claim.

Procedure of GST Refund

1. Claim in person by showing your passport, boarding pass and original invoices to the TRS on the day of departure:
   • More than 30 minutes before your scheduled departure at an airport
   • 1-4 hours before your scheduled departure at a seaport
2. Bring your goods along with you, in your carry on luggage. 
   • For oversized and restricted goods, you can check them in after they have been sighted by ABF Client services and take the invoices to the TRS Facility. 
3. Keep your TRS stamped invoices and claim receipt – this is evidence of a claim
4. Be prepared to show your goods and invoices any time you are asked by an ABF officer
5. Please be prepared to queue for more than 90 minutes.

Claim VAT funds at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport.

1. Download the Tourist Refund Scheme App (TRS) and fill in the necessary details.
   For Android Users: Tourist Refund Scheme
   For Apple Users: Tourist Refund Scheme
2. After saving the information, you receive a QR code that you can find in the Present My Claim section of the app. This does not submit your claim but it speeds up the process.
3. Once at the airport, you will need to present your QR Code at the TRS counter. You will still need to attend a TRS facility with your tax invoice. 
4. Claim in person by showing your passport, boarding pass and original invoices to the TRS on the day of departure more than 30 minutes before departure at the airport.

You cannot claim a refund on these goods

1. Tobacco products
2. Alcohol
3. Goods purchased over the Internet and imported into Australia
4. Services (Hotel rooms, car rentals, tours, etc)
5. GST-free goods where no GST was paid
6. Goods prohibited on aircraft for safety reasons (gas cylinders, fireworks, aerosol etc)
7. Product already used as perfume, however, you can claim GST on devices such as a computer, camera, iPhone, used during your stay