tourist refund scheme melbourne airport

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Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS) – common questions

I want to claim for someone else.

The person who is travelling must have bought the goods and must be travelling. You cannot make a TRS claim for someone else such as partner, relative or friend.

Providing a valid tax invoice

A valid tax invoice must be in English and contain the following:

• the document is intended to be a tax invoice
• the seller's identity
• the seller's Australian business number (ABN)
• the date the invoice was issued
• a brief description of the items sold, including the quantity (if applicable) and the price
• the GST amount (if any) payable – this can be shown separately or, if the GST amount is one-eleventh of the total price, as a statement such as 'Total price includes GST'
• the items on the invoice where GST is included and the items that are GST free.

Tax invoices for sales of $1000 or more must also include the buyer's identity, for example their full name or passport number.

Original tax invoices are required to process your claim. Photocopies, reprints and duplicates are not accepted and will result in that invoice being rejected.

You have 60 days to lodge a claim from purchase

The 60 days starts from the day after you purchased the item.

I have an electronic tax invoice

You can make a TRS claim with a valid electronic tax invoice. If the value of your electronic tax invoice is $1000 or more, it must contain your identity. You should be prepared and print out a copy of your electronic tax invoice in case live processing is not available..

Electronic tax invoices can only be accepted when live claim process is available.  You may have to use a Drop Box form which requires paper original invoices to be submitted.   Electronic invoices will not be accepted when using drop box. 

My goods are oversized or restricted

You must have goods available for inspection by an ABF Officer.  Your goods must be sighted by an officer at ABF Client Services before check-in.  If your goods have not been sighted, your claim can be rejected.

I have a domestic flight before my international flight

If you wish to make a TRS claim and you have oversized or restricted goods, you must advise the check-in agent at the domestic airport that you want your bags tagged only to the port from where you will be departing Australia.

You will then need to collect your luggage at the domestic terminal, transfer to the international terminal and have your goods sighted.

Once your goods have been sighted you must proceed to the departures area and complete check-in procedures for your international flight.

You then need to make your TRS claim, see  Making the claim .

I am transiting through Australia

Transit passengers cannot make a TRS claim.

My goods are not in the packaging

You can remove your goods from the packaging and use the goods before you depart. You can choose to leave the container/packaging behind as long as the officer can verify the goods against the corresponding tax invoice when the TRS claim is processed. 

You cannot claim on goods wholly or partially consumed in Australia such as food, drinks, health supplements and perfumes.

TRS facility opening hours

In international airports there are no set operating hours of the TRS facilities. If there is a departing international flight from the airport you are leaving, the TRS will be open for you to make a claim.

TRS facilities at seaports are usually available between one and four hours before sailing. You must ask the shipping company the location of the TRS facility as it varies depending on the port. Claims must be lodged at your final port of departure from Australia.

You may need to use a drop box to lodge your claim.  For instructions when using a drop box, see  Making the claim .

Processing time for my claim

There can be long queues at the TRS facility when multiple flights are leaving the airport around the same time.  You should aim to be at the TRS facility 90 minutes prior to the scheduled departure of your aircraft.

The use of TRS mobile or web based apps will reduce the time you spend at the TRS counter as the officer will not have to type in your details.

The mobile and web based apps are not available for cruise ship passengers.

The amount of time to process your claim depends on the number of invoices and quantity of goods you are claiming.  The more invoices you have the longer your processing time will be. ​

Claiming a refund as a member of the military

Any military personnel, who depart Australia as passengers on military transport can claim a TRS refund on purchases made in Australia.

On the day of your departure, you must present the following items to an ABF officer:

• passport and/or military ID along with proof of travel (for example, boarding pass or military orders);
• original tax invoice(s);

Note that if your aircraft is departing away from an international terminal, the TRS app cannot be used.

Operating air or sea crew are not eligible to participate in the TRS.

I want a cash refund

The Department does not give cash refunds. You can choose from the following refund options:

• deposit to an Australian bank account
• payment to a credit card

Refunds will usually be paid within 60 days of the claim being lodged.

Claims for imported goods

A condition of making a TRS claim is that goods must be supplied within Australia.

Foreign goods can be eligible for a TRS refund if the retailer imports the goods into Australia themselves, and then supplies the goods to a customer.

Goods purchased overseas and imported to Australia by you, where import duty and taxes are paid are not eligible.

I forgot to make a claim and have now departed Australia

You cannot make a TRS claim after you have departed.

Need a hand?

My TRS Claim

Browser not supported

The browser that you are using cannot run the TRS Claim application: it does not properly support html "canvas" elements and so cannot be used to generate a QR code.

Please install a more up-to-date browser, such as the latest version of Chrome , Firefox , or Edge .

• 1. Disclaimer
• 2. My Travel Details
• 3. My Invoices
• 4. My Payment Details
• 5. My Claim Code

Step 2 of 5 -

Important note to all claimants.

This web page will assist you to enter information required to lodge a Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS) claim.

When you have finished entering your information it will be stored in a QR code. This QR code is your TRS Claim Code, and it must be presented at the TRS location at the airport on the day you depart from Australia.

Creating a TRS Claim 'QR' Code may allow your claim to be processed faster at TRS as your claim information is pre-filled.

Your Privacy

The Department of Home Affairs collects and deals with personal information in accordance with its Privacy Policy.

Your use of this TRS Application is regulated by its Terms and Conditions, including the application's Privacy Statement.

By checking this box, I understand and accept the TRS Application's Terms and Conditions, including the Privacy Statement.

Tax Invoice Requirements

A valid tax invoice includes:

• the retailer's name, address and Australian Business Number (ABN)
• a description of the goods that allows us to match the goods to the invoice
• the purchase price of the goods, including the GST or WET paid (or total price including GST)
• the date of purchase
• the invoice must be in English.

Tax invoices for $1,000 or more must also show your name (and only your name) as it appears in your passport.

Tax Invoice s :

Invoice Date: Invoices must be dated within 60 days of your Departure Date Invoices cannot be dated in the future Invoice/Receipt Number:

Total for : $

Estimated Refund for ABN: $

The invoices for ABN are not eligible for a refund because they total less than $300.

Total Of All Invoices: $ Estimated Total GST/WET Refund Being Claimed: $

Each abn on the claim must have invoices totalling a minimum of $300. the highlighted abns do not qualify., up to 10 invoices may be added..

* How do you want your refund to be paid, if approved?

 Credit Card

The following credit cards are accepted:

Please note Union Pay debit cards are not accepted.

This application does not collect credit card details. Present your credit card when submitting your claim on departure.

 Australian Bank Account

 Cheque (not recommended)

Cheques may take 2 months to arrive, from date of departure.

Travel Details:

Passport Issuing Country:

Passport Number:

Australian Resident:

Departure Date:

Invoice Date: Invoice/Receipt Number:

Total All Invoices: $

Estimated gst/wet refund in australian dollars being claimed against all invoices (if approved): $, payment details:.

Payment Method:

Present your credit card when submitting your claim on departure.

Account Name:

BSB Number:

Account Number:

Cheque Currency:

Declaration:

I claim the Goods and Services Tax (and Wine Equalisation Tax if applicable) under the Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS) for the goods described in this TRS claim application.

I confirm that:

• These goods were acquired by me within 60 days of my departure date, and paid in full for the amounts indicated in this TRS claim on the associated invoices;
• The goods in this TRS claim will be in my possession and exported by me on the specified date of departure from Australia.

I understand that if I return to Australia with the goods, I may be required to pay applicable duties including GST and WET.

You have finished supplying the information needed to process your TRS claim and it is now saved in the following claim code. Please print or save this claim code.

You may save the claim code by right-clicking it and selecting your browsers Save Image/Picture... option.

To submit your TRS claim, you must present this claim code and any additional claim codes you have created at the TRS location at your port of departure from Australia.

Ensure you have the following items ready to be inspected:

• The goods you are claiming a refund against;
• Your Tax Invoice(s);
• Your passport; and
• Your boarding pass.

If you cannot present your claim code, your claim will be processed manually.

If when requested by an ABF officer you cannot present some or any of the goods listed above, some or all of your claim may be rejected.

Please note: this claim contains invoices that do not meet eligibility requirements.

To submit your Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS) claim, you must present this claim code at the TRS facility at your port of departure.

If, when requested, you cannot present some or any of the items listed above prior to departing the country, some or all of your claim may be rejected.

Tax Invoice Summary

Tax Invoice s . Total:

Estimated Refund (subject to approval)

Terms and Conditions

Privacy statement.

The Department of Home Affairs (Home Affairs) is collecting and using your personal information for the purpose of assessing and refunding the Goods and Services (GST) and Wine Equalisation Tax (WET) in accordance with section 168 of the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 (Cth). Home Affairs may disclose this information to the Australian Taxation Office and any retailers from whom you have attached invoices for the purposes of assessing and determining your eligibility for a GST/WET refund. If a tax refund is due to be paid to you, your personal information will be disclosed to a contracted commercial agency to facilitate the processing of that refund.

Failure to complete this application or provide this information may result in Home Affairs being unable to process your tax refund using this application.

Personal information will be collected, used, stored and disclosed by Home Affairs in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles in Schedule 1 of the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).

Further information regarding how Home Affairs handles personal information can be found in Home Affairs' privacy policy .

Warning: The TRS claim code generated by this app is not encrypted and can be read by any device capable of reading a QR code. You bear sole responsibility for the security of the code and its data.

Conditions on the use of this application, the eligibility rules for making a TRS claim, and the process for making a claim are detailed on the TRS information page .

Legal Statement

Making a false or misleading statement to an officer, including by presenting false documents, may result in the application of penalties.

Any goods subject to this TRS claim must be declared if they are brought back into Australia. You may be required to repay the GST/WET refunded under the TRS plus any additional customs duties and taxes payable on the ENTIRE VALUE of ALL the general goods you are importing.

Failure to declare imported goods may also result in the application of penalties (see the TRS Information page).

Invoice Details

What can i claim.

You can claim on most goods provided you can present a valid tax invoice.

You cannot claim against:

• GST-free goods
• Services, such as car hire and accommodation
• Beer, spirits, tobacco and tobacco products
• Goods consumed in Australia
• Dangerous goods (goods you can't take out with you on the aircraft)
• Goods which are not accompanying you on departure including goods you have freighted or posted out of Australia.

For more information refer to the TRS Information page .

Invoice Items:

* Please describe OTHER goods below. Your claim will be rejected if these goods do not meet the TRS requirements.

Amount Paid for Claimable Goods, including GST/WET

Melbourne Airport Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS)

The Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS) provides an opportunity for individuals to request a reimbursement of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Wine Equalisation Tax (WET) incurred on specific purchases in Australia. The TRS office at Melbourne Airport, situated in T2 departures beyond customs within the primary tax and duty-free store, is managed by the Australian Border Force (ABF). It is accessible to international visitors and Australian residents, excluding operational air crew members. To initiate a claim, you must: ◦ Have expended $300 or more (inclusive of GST) with a single business at a store or a chain of stores under the same Australian Business Number (ABN). ◦ Acquire goods no more than 60 days before departing Australia. ◦ Carry or wear the goods as hand luggage on your flight (excluding liquids, gels, or aerosols, as well as oversized or bulky items that may need to be checked in). Present the goods, along with your tax invoice, passport, and international boarding pass, at the TRS office. ◦ Personally cover the cost of the goods. ◦ Possess original tax invoices for the purchased items. It is advisable to clear immigration at least 90 minutes before your flight to ensure sufficient time for your claim. Special conditions apply to the refund process for liquids, aerosols, gels, and oversized items. These items must be initially inspected by the ABF office in T2 arrivals and subsequently checked in with your baggage. Refunds for these items are then processed at the TRS booth using your receipts. Additional details can be found on the Department of Home Affairs website. To expedite the procedure, you can utilize the ABF mobile and web TRS applications to submit your claim. Enter your travel details and the specifics of the goods you are claiming, and indicate your preferred method for receiving the TRS refund. Your information will be encoded into a QR code, which you must present alongside your purchased goods and original tax invoices at the airport. Successful completion of the process enables you to use a dedicated queue at the TRS office. It is important to note that completing the app does not constitute claim submission; you must still present to an ABF officer to have your QR code scanned and your claim officially lodged.