Australian TRS GST refund scheme query

Forums › Travel (planes, train, cruise) › Australian TRS GST refund scheme query

Jaxson

8042 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#248095 10-Mar-2019 10:34

Hi all,

Has anyone used the Australian TRS GST refund scheme recently?

Specifically I'd like to know if anyone has purchased something before they arrived in Australia, but within the 60 days prior to departure window.

There is a great sale on GoPro Hero 7 black cameras over there at the moment, and I'm heading there in 3 weeks.

Curious to know if purchasing online now, for in store pickup when I'm there, would meet the requirements.

Thanks in advance.

Geektastic

17943 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2195025 10-Mar-2019 12:26

Not sure.

I purchased some Canon image stabilising binoculars just before Christmas as they were available there at half what they cost in NZ. I ordered them 'click and collect' and told the store by email that I was coming from NZ and when, and would come and pay and collect then.

All worked just fine, did the TRS refund on the app and was straightforward.

I'm not sure what the situation is when you pay now and collect later though.

sbiddle

30853 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

Trusted

Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#2195030 10-Mar-2019 12:27

I wouldn't see why not.

When they look at the receipts and goods at the airport all they care about is that the date is no more than 60 days ago.

tigercorp

668 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2195126 10-Mar-2019 15:58

I've done this multiple times over the years without an issue, most recently in December with a Dyson vacuum.

If you can carry whatever it is in hand luggage then that should be the first option. I've taken photos of the things that have gone in the hold luggage in case they want proof. Have only been asked for that once (a heavy winter coat I couldn't be bothered carrying).

Jaxson

8042 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#2195133 10-Mar-2019 16:09

Thanks all, will give this a go.

Have emailed the click and collect pick up store, and they’re happy to hold for 3 weeks too. Sweet as.

Cheers.

Batman

Mad Scientist
29766 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2195183 10-Mar-2019 17:57

It'll work.

Stu1

1769 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Subscriber

#2196919 13-Mar-2019 07:33

Hi I brought an iPad through office works before I went over , the TRS have an app to download to make the process quicker . I was lucky in and out of office at airport within 5 mins refund to card 3 working days. The only hicup was the refund amount I claimed 40 AU dollers back but it was only credited as 40 NZ dollers . ANZ we're hopeless they only display the currency conversion when buying goods not when a refund goes back to a card and couldn't explain why I was credited the AU amount as NZ

sbiddle

30853 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

Trusted

Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#2196931 13-Mar-2019 08:08

Stu1: Hi I brought an iPad through office works before I went over , the TRS have an app to download to make the process quicker . I was lucky in and out of office at airport within 5 mins refund to card 3 working days. The only hicup was the refund amount I claimed 40 AU dollers back but it was only credited as 40 NZ dollers . ANZ we're hopeless they only display the currency conversion when buying goods not when a refund goes back to a card and couldn't explain why I was credited the AU amount as NZ

ANZ have always showed currency conversion rates for both purchases and refunds to a card - this is a legal requirement.

Since late last year Visa also not don't charge for refunds back to a card - meaning credits are now processed at the Visa exchange rate (which is very close to the mid market rate) meaning you won't lose an extra 2.5% on refunds back to your card.

If you were credited the $NZ amount rather than $AUD then there isn't going to be any conversion rate shown as the conversion is undertaken by the processor the merchant uses - and they've processed that as NZ$ and would have taken their own commission themselves for the $AUD to $NZ conversion.

On terminals now it's incredibly common to have the option of paying in the foreign currency or $NZ - *never* select $NZ as you'll almost certainly end up paying more than you will do simply allowing your bank to process the payment.

Sharesies

Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Sharesies (affiliate link).

Stu1

1769 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Subscriber

#2197038 13-Mar-2019 10:10

sbiddle:
Stu1: Hi I brought an iPad through office works before I went over , the TRS have an app to download to make the process quicker . I was lucky in and out of office at airport within 5 mins refund to card 3 working days. The only hicup was the refund amount I claimed 40 AU dollers back but it was only credited as 40 NZ dollers . ANZ we're hopeless they only display the currency conversion when buying goods not when a refund goes back to a card and couldn't explain why I was credited the AU amount as NZ

ANZ have always showed currency conversion rates for both purchases and refunds to a card - this is a legal requirement.

Since late last year Visa also not don't charge for refunds back to a card - meaning credits are now processed at the Visa exchange rate (which is very close to the mid market rate) meaning you won't lose an extra 2.5% on refunds back to your card.

If you were credited the $NZ amount rather than $AUD then there isn't going to be any conversion rate shown as the conversion is undertaken by the processor the merchant uses - and they've processed that as NZ$ and would have taken their own commission themselves for the $AUD to $NZ conversion.

On terminals now it's incredibly common to have the option of paying in the foreign currency or $NZ - *never* select $NZ as you'll almost certainly end up paying more than you will do simply allowing your bank to process the payment.

Thanks for the information thats more than what ANZ provided . I am not too fussed as the difference is not that much think purchase transactions on same day were at .95 AU to NZ. The rep said they would pass it on as a suggestion to add exchange rates for refunds I thought it was odd no conversion rates on refunds on a visa

Amosnz

567 posts

Ultimate Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#2197071 13-Mar-2019 10:30

tigercorp: I've done this multiple times over the years without an issue, most recently in December with a Dyson vacuum.

If you can carry whatever it is in hand luggage then that should be the first option. I've taken photos of the things that have gone in the hold luggage in case they want proof. Have only been asked for that once (a heavy winter coat I couldn't be bothered carrying).

At Melbourne airport (and most likely others) there is a customs(?) office prior to check-in where you can take the items you want to check in, they witness it and after checking in etc you go to the TRS counter with the signed receipt.

Speedtest

Jaxson

8042 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#2197199 13-Mar-2019 11:47

sbiddle:

On terminals now it's incredibly common to have the option of paying in the foreign currency or $NZ - *never* select $NZ as you'll almost certainly end up paying more than you will do simply allowing your bank to process the payment.

Thanks for this side tip. I have seen this option myself, and from memory choosing one way over the other is also much slower at the machine.

Nice to have the info on what's best to select here, as I had been wondering what the implications of one over the other was.