Australia Tax Information

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IMPORTANT TAX INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS AND WORKING HOLIDAY MAKERS

The Australian Tax System affects you differently, depending on whether you are in Australia as:

- A Working Holiday Maker, OR
- An International Student.

Working Holiday Maker

As a working holiday maker who is a non-resident for tax purposes, you:
- Pay tax on every dollar of income you earn in Australia. This tax is taken out by your employer before you receive your wages. For detailed individual income tax rates, see Individual Income Tax Rates.
- Generally do not pay tax on income you earn overseas (for example, in your home country )
- Are not liable to pay the Medicare Levy

International Students

If you are an international student enrolled in a course of six months duration or more, you will be considered a resident for tax purposes and you pay tax at the residents’ rate – see Individual Income Tax Rates .

Essential tax requirements to legally WORK in Australia:

  • Work Visa – You must apply to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC). You can visit their website at www.immi.gov.au for more information. Tax File Number – A tax file number is a unique number the Tax Office issues you with. It remains yours for life. You can only apply for a tax file number once the Department of Immigration and Citizenship authorises you to work in Australia. If you do not provide your tax file number you are taxed at the rate of 45% of all your income. Register for your Tax File Number here now!
  • Lodging your Tax Return – You will generally need to lodge a tax return at the end of the financial year. The financial year goes from 1 July to 30 June the following year. Should you leave Australia permanently before the end of the financial year, we can request an early assessment on your behalf to get your taxback now
  • Tax File Number Declaration – This declaration attempts to determine your eligibility as an Australian Resident Taxpayer. At the question ‘Are you an Australian resident for tax purposes?’ you must answer as follows:

    • Working holidaymakers travelling and working in various locations in Australia, holidaying in Australia or visiting for less than six months – answer NO. This tells your employer to take out tax at the non-resident rates.
    • International students studying in Australia for six months or more – answer YES. This tells your employer to tax you at resident rates.