Tax Tips for Holiday Workers
Tax Tips for Working Holiday Makers
Backpack full of memories... and tax deductions!
If you're on a Working Holiday Visa in Australia, you will pay tax — and yes, you can get some of it back. Whether you’ve been farming bananas in Innisfail or making flat whites in Fitzroy, there are claimable expenses that can boost your refund. GoTax makes it fast, easy, and yes... even fun (sort of) to finalise your tax return online.
4 Common Questions from Working Holiday Makers
Q1: Can I claim my flight to Australia?
Ah, the dream. Sadly no — the ATO won’t shout you a Qantas ticket. Flights to get here are not deductible.
Q2: Do I need to lodge a tax return even if I left the country?
Yep! Even if you’ve hopped off to Bali or gone full Eat Pray Love — you still need to finalise your return for the time you earned income in Oz.
Q3: What tax rate applies to Working Holiday Makers?
You’ll pay 15% on the first $45,000 you earn as long as you're from a treaty country. It’s automatic. No tax-free threshold. Just cold, hard Aussie tax law.
Q4: Can I claim things like tools or uniforms?
Absolutely! If you had out-of-pocket expenses related to earning your income — think safety boots, hi-vis, chef gear, or even sunscreen if you were working outdoors — claim away!
Common Tax Mistakes
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Not finalising a return at all. The ATO doesn’t forget... even if you did.
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Trying to claim personal travel. That road trip from Melbourne to Cairns? Lovely. Deductible? Not a chance.
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Not declaring all your jobs. That bar gig, farm job, and café stint — yes, all count. Even if one paid you in cash and questionable pizza.
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Leaving super behind. You're entitled to claim it back when you leave Australia — don’t let it rot in limbo!
Missed Opportunities
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Work gear. Think boots, hats, aprons, gloves — if it was required for work and you paid for it, that’s claimable.
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Sunscreen & sunglasses if you worked outdoors (yes, the tax office actually allows this — sunburn isn’t deductible though).
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Tax agent fees. If you paid for help last year, you can claim that this year. Including us!
Why Use GoTax?
Let’s be honest — doing your tax on myGov is about as fun as sleeping in a leaky tent in Byron. GoTax makes it:
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Fast and online (finish your return in under 10 mins)
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Cheap — just $65, or $25 if you’re in a rush
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Smart — we’ll help you find the deductions the ATO doesn’t advertise
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Built for humans — especially non-Aussies who just want to get their refund and move on
And if you’re no longer in Australia? No worries — you can finalise your tax return with us from anywhere in the world. Just bring your TFN and a Wi-Fi connection.
3 Golden Rules for Tax Deductions (from the ATO, filtered through Derek)
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You paid for it (not your boss, not your mum, and not your dodgy housemate)
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It’s related to your job
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You have proof — like a receipt, or at least a blurry bank statement
Final Word
You came to Australia for the beaches, the beers, and maybe to earn a few bucks. Don’t let the taxman keep more than he should. Get your tax return sorted, find the deductions you’re entitled to, and let GoTax make tax time the least stressful part of your holiday.
Finalise your tax return online now at:
www.gotax.com.au/working-holiday-tax-return
Download the Gotax app (Deduction Grabber) and generate all the log books you need to support your vehicle claims.
