Australian Tax Rules
Do I as a student need to pay taxes?
If you are working in Australia, you have to pay an income tax there; so your employer has to pay tax on behalf of you during the financial year.
When is time to ask for my tax return?
The year for tax purpose (financial year) starts July 1st and ends June 30 the following year. Every end of financial year you can start to plan your tax back as the time to lodge it goes from July 1st to October 31st.
How much do I need to pay?
The tax you have to pay depends on your status regarding the tax obligation:
- If you study in Australia continuously for six months or more and for most of the time you have been working in one job and living in one place, you are considered as an Australian resident for tax purposes.
- If you stay in Australia for less than 6 months, you are considered as a non-resident for tax purposes.
Tax rates for the financial year 2009/2010
| Taxable income |
Tax on this income
|
| $1 – $6,000 |
Nil
|
| $6,001 – $35,000 |
15c for each $1 over $6,000 |
$35,001 – $80,000
| $4,350 plus 30c for each $1 over $35,000
|
$80,001 – $180,000
| $17,850 plus 38c for each $1 over $80,000
|
$180,001 and over
| $55,850 plus 45c for each $1 over $180,000
|
For more information or to count your tax duty see simple tax calculator.
What do I need to do before asking for my tax return?
At the end of every financial year or when you have a work termination, ask your employer for the so-called Group Certificate (Payment Certificate). On this certificate is stated your income during the financial year and the amount of tax paid during the year by your employer and by yourself.
You will need all those information to be able to lodge your tax return that can be done online or by mail. If you need help with the tax return, contact our advisers at Information Planet as we can arrange an appointment with our business partner ALL TAX - an accounting consultancy.