Tourist Refund Scheme

Did you know you can claim a refund on GST (Goods and Services Tax) or WET (Wine Equalisation Tax) at Brisbane Airport when you purchase more than AUD$300.00 worth of goods at a single Australian business, and you’re taking those goods out of the country. See what conditions apply.

The Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS) is an initiative of the Australian Government and allows the tax paid on the transaction to be reimbursed to all travellers (including Australians), when travelling out of the country with the goods.

The refund is redeemable at the International Terminal of Brisbane Airport at the Australian Border Force TRS claims desk on Level 3 of the International Terminal (after security and passport control).

Tourist Refund Scheme tips to ensure a smooth process:

1. Complete your claim online before you arrive at Brisbane Airport for a quicker refund process.
2. Be sure to allow additional time to your airport experience to process your refund.
3. TRS recommends arriving at least 90 minutes before your scheduled departure time as queues at the TRS facilities can be long.

Key TRS facts:

• Any international traveller, including Australian residents, are entitled to take up this benefit, which is operated by the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs.
• You need to have spent AU$300.00 (inc. GST) or more in one store
• The purchase needs to have been made within 60 days of departure
• You must have paid for the goods yourself
• You need to present an original copy of the tax invoice
• Australian Border Force officers will need to sight the items you are claiming
• Full terms and conditions are outlined here

Common exclusions:

• Alcohol such as beer, brandy, fortified wines and spirits do not qualify for the Wine Equalisation Tax
• Goods that are prohibited on aircraft for safety reasons
• Operating air crew are not eligible for the refund
• More details around exclusions are outlined here

Claiming the Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS) on liquids, aerosols or gels, or oversized goods, which cannot be taken as hand luggage onto the plane:

If you want to claim the refund on goods that you can’t carry onto the aircraft (like those golf clubs you just bought), you will need to take your goods to the Australian Border Force Client Services Office located on Level 1 of the International Terminal for officers to view the items before you check-in your luggage.  After you have checked-in, you can then lodge your claim at the TRS claims desk. This desk is located on level 3 after security screening and passport control. 

Where do I find the Tourist Refund Scheme claims desk at the International Terminal?

If your purchase is part of your carry-on luggage:

After you have checked in for your flight, please make your way through security and passport control.  You'll find the TRS claims desk, just to the right of the Lotte Duty Free entrance. Please be sure to be there at least 90 minutes prior to your flight departure to allow sufficient time for the TRS Officers to complete your claim.

If your purchase is packed in luggage you intend to check: 

You should make your way to the Australian Border Force Client Services Office, located on Level 1 of the International Terminal for officers to view the items. You will need to do this before you check-in your luggage for your flight.

Please note liquids, aerosols and gels restrictions still apply to goods you wish to claim, so you may need to check these in. Find more information about these restrictions here.

Once checked-in items have been viewed, proceed to the TRS claims desk on Level 3, after security and passport control to lodge your claim. 

If the TRS offices are closed:

Australian Border Force endeavour to staff the TRS offices before all departing international flights but don't have set business hours for the counters. If the counters are closed, you are able to submit your claim by filling in a form and dropping your information into the dropbox. You will find this option at the TRS claims desk located after security and passport control. 

Can I lodge my information online?

Yes! The Australian Government Department of Home Affairs have developed mobile and web Tourist Refund Scheme Applications (Apps) that allow you to enter the information required to lodge a TRS claim even faster.

Using the App you can enter:

• Your travel details;
• Details of the goods for which you are claiming a refund of Goods and Services Tax (GST) and/or Wine Equalisation Tax (WET); and
• How you prefer to receive your tax refund.

Your data will be stored in a QR code which will fast track your claim process at the Tourist Refund Scheme claims desk at Brisbane Airport. With your QR code, you can join the fast-tracked ‘web line’ and collect your refund faster. The TRS Claims desk is located after security and passport control.

To use the My TRS Claim web app or to download the mobile apps visit the Tourist Refund Scheme section of the Department of Home Affairs website.