Customs rules on arrival and GST refunds on departure at Western Sydney International.
Understanding customs procedures and tax refund rules helps you prepare for your journey through Nancy-Bird Walton Airport (WSI) in Western Sydney. International travellers should know Australia's customs requirements on arrival and the Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS) on departure.
The TRS lets eligible travellers claim back the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and, where applicable, the Wine Equalisation Tax (WET) paid on qualifying goods bought in Australia. Not every purchase qualifies, and you must meet specific conditions before you claim.
Tax invoice · TRS check
Before you claim at WSI
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Customs Procedures at Nancy-Bird Walton Airport
What to know when you arrive in Australia
Passengers arriving in Australia through Nancy-Bird Walton Airport must comply with Australian border and customs requirements. Depending on what you are carrying, you may need to declare certain goods or provide supporting documents. Food, animal products, plants, medicines and other regulated goods can be subject to specific import rules.
Before you travel, check the current Australian entry rules for the items in your luggage. Declaring goods when required and following the instructions of border officers helps you avoid delays.
Food and agricultural products
Some foods, plant materials and animal products are restricted or must be declared.
Medicines
Certain medicines are subject to import conditions and documentation requirements.
Restricted or regulated goods
Some products need permits, and others are prohibited from entering Australia.
Cash and monetary instruments
Carrying AUD 10,000 or more in cash, or the foreign equivalent, must be reported. Separate rules may apply to other monetary instruments.
What Is the Tourist Refund Scheme?
A GST and WET refund on eligible goods
Australia's Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS) lets eligible travellers claim back GST and, where applicable, WET paid on qualifying goods bought in Australia and taken out of the country. It is administered by the Australian Border Force (ABF).
The TRS covers
- Eligible goods bought in Australia
- GST paid on those goods
- WET on eligible wine
It does not cover
- Accommodation and restaurant meals
- Transport and tours
- Other services used in Australia
Who Can Claim a Tax Refund in Australia?
Eligibility at a glance
The TRS is open to eligible international travellers, including overseas visitors and Australian residents. Operating air and sea crew members are not eligible. To make a claim, you generally need to:
Spend at least AUD 300, including GST, on eligible goods from a single business with the same Australian Business Number (ABN).
Buy the goods within 60 days before you leave Australia.
Pay for the goods yourself.
Have the original, valid tax invoice or invoices.
Take the goods out of Australia and be ready to show them for inspection.
Lodge your claim in person at the TRS facility on the day you depart.
How to Claim a Tax Refund at Nancy-Bird Walton Airport
Five steps from shop to refund
Prepare your documents before you arrive at the airport. Your TRS claim must be lodged before departure; you cannot submit a new claim after leaving Australia.
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01
Check your purchases
Confirm the goods were bought in Australia within 60 days of departure, and that eligible purchases from one business total at least AUD 300 including GST.
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02
Prepare your documents
Bring your passport, international boarding pass, original paper tax invoices, the goods and your TRS QR code if you made one. Invoices of AUD 1,000 or more must show your name as it appears in your passport, and electronic invoices should be printed.
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03
Prepare your TRS claim
Enter your purchase and travel details in the official My TRS Claim application to generate a QR code. This does not submit the claim or guarantee approval.
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04
Visit the TRS facility
Show your passport, boarding pass, invoices, goods and QR code. Claims must be lodged at least 30 minutes before departure, so allow extra time for queues. Confirm the facility's location at WSI before you travel.
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05
Complete the assessment
An ABF officer assesses your claim and may inspect the goods and documents. Approval is not automatic, and refunds are paid by supported methods, not in cash.
What Is Not Eligible for a TRS Refund?
The TRS covers goods, not every travel expense
Important Customs Advice for Arriving Passengers
A TRS refund and a customs declaration are separate
Receiving a TRS refund when you leave Australia does not remove your obligation to declare goods when you come back.
Bringing refunded goods back
If you bring back goods for which you or someone else claimed a TRS refund, you must declare them on arrival. Depending on their value and the passenger concessions, GST or duty may become payable.
Check before you fly to Australia
- Food and plants
- Medicines
- Animal products
- Restricted goods
- Currency
Final Tips for Customs and Tax Refunds at WSI
Checking your customs documents and TRS eligibility before you travel helps you avoid delays at Nancy-Bird Walton Airport. Keep your original invoices, passport, boarding pass and goods ready for inspection, and leave plenty of time to finish your claim before departure. For the latest rules, follow the Australian Border Force's official TRS guidance and confirm airport arrangements before your trip.