How does the Tourist Refund Scheme work?

Products purchased from Scorptec may be eligible for the Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS). The TRS lets you claim a refund of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) that you pay on certain goods you buy in Australia and then take out of Australia with you or in your checked luggage or carry-on bags.

Who is eligible:
TRS is open to all overseas visitors and Australian residents, except for operating air and sea crew.

What purchases are eligible:
Purchases are eligible for refunds if:

• They were purchased within 60 days before leaving Australia.
• The purchases from any single business total $300 or more (including GST).
• Tax invoices for purchases of $1000 or more require additional information such as the name and address of the purchaser.
• The passenger paid for the goods and has tax invoice for the goods.
• The goods are worn or carried on (unless they are liquids, gels or aerosols or oversized or bulky goods which the airline require to be checked in) as hand luggage aboard the aircraft or ship as you leave Australia, or are checked with your luggage after they have been verified by an officer at a Client Services counter.

Purchases are not eligible for refunds if they are:

• Goods that did not have GST paid on them.
• Services
• Gift cards or vouchers
• Goods that have already been used (in part or in full) in Australia.
• Not taken by you on your flight or ship out of Australia.
• Returning to Australia

How to make a claim:
You can make a claim for a tax refund by visiting the TRS facility in an international airport or the cruise liner terminal at some Australian seaports.

To make processing your claim faster at your port of departure, details of your claim can be filled out online using the TRS website or app.

What must be provided:
The goods, original tax invoices, passport and boarding pass must be brought to the TRS facility. For tax invoices over $1,000, the tax invoice must also show your name and address.

If you have filled your claim out online you must also present your TRS claim code to an officer at the TRS counter.

If you are unable to present some or all of your goods and/or tax invoices on request, or cannot provide evidence that an officer has sighted your goods, some or all of your claim may be rejected.

TRS requirements will change or update from time to time, the above is provided as general advice and is not guaranteed to reflect the current policies and procedures for the TRS. For the most up to date and accurate information please see the TRS Page on the Department of Home Affairs website.