Financial Matters

The Australian Tax Office (ATO) policy may accept early lodgement of returns for individuals before the end of the financial year in certain circumstances. These are the circumstances:

International students here for less than six months

You are considered a non-resident of Australia for tax purposes and can lodge an early return if:

• You are leaving Australia permanently, and
• You will no longer derive Australian sourced income (excluding interest, dividend, and royalty income).

International students here for longer than six months

You are considered a resident of Australia for tax purposes and can lodge an early return if:

• You are leaving Australia, and
• Are ceasing to be a resident of Australia for tax purposes, and
• You will no longer derive Australian sourced income (excluding interest, dividend, and royalty income).

If you are unsure whether or not you will continue to be a resident of Australia for tax purposes, read 'Your tax residency' at the ATO website.

If you are not leaving Australia permanently, or will receive Australian sourced income (other than interest, dividends, and royalties) after leaving Australia, you should lodge your return during the normal lodgement period (1 July to 31 October).

How to lodge an early tax return

If you meet the requirements outlined above, you will need to follow instructions at ATO’s website.

If you have been studying in Australia on a student visa, you will have had Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) and may be entitled to a refund for any outstanding cover.

For example, you may have four months of cover left on your policy, which you will not use after you leave Australia, so you can claim it back. See your health cover provider for details. 

You will need to provide evidence of the day you plan to leave Australia (e.g. an air ticket), and details of an overseas bank account.

If your OSHC provider is Medibank, please see their website for information about requesting a refund.

The TRS enables you to claim a refund of the goods and services tax (GST) that you pay on goods you buy in Australia. The scheme is limited and is only relevant to amounts for purchases over $300 in one store within 60 days of your departure. Further information on the Tourist Refund Scheme.