Melbourne Airport Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS)

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.