| One of the inevitable facts of life, the government is after your money here, just like anywhere else.
Every person working in Australia must have a tax file number — available from the Australian Taxation Office in the state or territory you will be working in. This takes around six weeks to come through, so apply early and consider using a mail forwarding service (Available from the
Travellers Club).
If you do not get a tax file number you will end up donating too much to the
government. As a non-resident, your tax rate is 29 per cent (50 per cent if you don’t have a tax file
number). Before you leave Australia you should lodge a tax form. Your tax assessment and refund cheque (if applicable) will be sent to wherever you nominate.
Many travellers have received refund cheques because they were taxed too heavily at some stage, but these days refunds are less likely. Tax agents will be able to help.
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