GST Explained Australia 2026: How the Goods and Services Tax Works

Money · 23 July 2026 · Use the currency converter calculator →

GST — the Goods and Services Tax — is Australia’s broad-based consumption tax. It’s 10% on most things you buy, but the system has more nuance than a flat rate suggests. Whether you’re an international student wondering why your grocery bill varies, a small business owner trying to figure out BAS lodgement, or just someone who wants to understand where the 10% goes, here’s how GST works in 2026.

The basics: 10% on most things, displayed in the price

GST is a value-added tax (VAT) applied at each stage of the production and distribution chain, with the final burden falling on the consumer. It was introduced on 1 July 2000, replacing a patchwork of state-based wholesale sales taxes.

The rate is 10% — it hasn’t changed since introduction and changing it would require both houses of parliament plus all state and territory governments to agree (GST revenue goes to the states). This political structure makes rate changes extremely unlikely.

In Australia, prices displayed to consumers must be GST-inclusive. If a sandwich board says $14.50, that’s what you pay — there’s no extra tax at the till. This is different from the US system where sales tax is added at purchase. The GST component of a $14.50 sandwich is $1.32 (calculated as price ÷ 11). If the sandwich were GST-free, it would cost $13.18.

What’s GST-free

A significant list of goods and services is GST-free — the supplier doesn’t charge GST and can still claim input tax credits on their costs. The main categories:

Basic food: fresh fruit and vegetables, bread (without confectionery), milk, eggs, meat (uncooked), plain water, tea and coffee (beans and leaves, not prepared drinks), baby food. But prepared food — restaurant meals, takeaway, hot food, sandwiches made to order, bakery items with sweet fillings — all attract GST. The line between GST-free ‘basic food’ and taxable ‘prepared food’ is frequently litigated and sometimes counterintuitive: a plain croissant is GST-free, a chocolate croissant is taxable.

Health and medical: GP consultations, specialist appointments, hospital treatment, prescription medicines, and most medical aids are GST-free. Over-the-counter medicines (painkillers, antihistamines, vitamins) are taxable. This is why your doctor’s bill has no GST but Panadol from the pharmacy does.

Education: recognised education courses (university degrees, vocational education, school education) are GST-free. This means your tuition fees as an international student at an Australian university include no GST — the $38,000 tuition bill is $38,000, not $41,800. Non-recognised courses (corporate training, hobby courses, some short courses) may attract GST.

Childcare: approved childcare services are GST-free. Nannies and unapproved care arrangements are taxable if the provider is registered for GST.

Exports: goods and services exported from Australia (consumed outside Australia) are GST-free. This is a significant concession for Australian businesses selling to overseas customers.

Financial supplies: most banking and financial services are input-taxed (see below), not GST-free.

Input-taxed supplies

Some supplies are input-taxed rather than GST-free. The difference is technical but important for businesses: a GST-free supplier charges no GST but can claim back the GST they paid on their business costs. An input-taxed supplier also charges no GST but cannot claim back GST on their costs — the embedded GST stays in their supply chain.

The main input-taxed supplies are financial services (bank fees, loan interest, insurance premiums — though general insurance attracts GST), residential rent and residential property sales (not new residential property, which attracts GST), and some charitable activities. This is why your bank doesn’t add 10% GST to your account-keeping fee: financial services are input-taxed, meaning they’re GST-free on the surface but the bank can’t claim back the GST on its operating costs, which is reflected in the fee you pay indirectly.

GST registration for businesses

If you’re running a business in Australia, GST registration is mandatory when your annual turnover reaches $75,000 (or $150,000 for not-for-profit organisations). You can register voluntarily below these thresholds, but it’s rarely advantageous because the compliance costs (quarterly BAS lodgement) outweigh the benefit of claiming input tax credits on relatively small expenses.

Once registered, you must charge GST on your taxable supplies — add 10% to your prices — and remit the GST collected to the ATO through your BAS (Business Activity Statement). The BAS is lodged quarterly (or monthly for larger businesses) and reports GST collected on sales minus GST paid on business purchases (input tax credits). The net amount is payable to or refundable by the ATO.

If most of your sales are GST-free (e.g., you’re a doctor, a university, or an exporter), you’re in a net refund position — you charge no GST on your sales but claim back the GST on your costs, so the ATO owes you money each quarter rather than the other way around. This is why businesses that make GST-free supplies are strongly incentivised to register.

The registration threshold matters for freelancers and side businesses. If your side hustle generates $70,000 in annual revenue, you don’t need to register, don’t charge GST, and don’t lodge BAS. If it crosses $75,000, registration becomes mandatory, and you need to either absorb the 10% GST into your existing prices (reducing your effective revenue by one-eleventh) or increase your prices by 10% (potentially losing customers at the higher price point). The threshold is tested on a rolling 12-month basis, so a spike that crosses $75,000 triggers the obligation within 21 days.

GST on imports and online purchases

Since 1 July 2018, GST applies to low-value imported goods (under $1,000) sold to Australian consumers. This means when you buy a $200 jacket from an overseas online retailer, GST of $20 is added at checkout if the retailer has registered for Australian GST (most large platforms have). For goods over $1,000, GST is collected at the border by Australian Border Force, along with any customs duty.

Digital products and services (streaming subscriptions, software, e-books, app purchases) from overseas sellers also attract GST if sold to Australian consumers. This is why your Netflix or Spotify subscription in Australia includes GST — even though the company is based overseas, it’s required to register for and charge Australian GST.

For businesses importing goods, GST is paid at the border and can be claimed back as an input tax credit on the next BAS (if the business is GST-registered). The GST is effectively a cashflow item — you pay it and claim it back in the same quarter — rather than a permanent cost.

Use the Currency Converter calculator to compare prices between Australia and home in your own currency, factoring in the GST component where applicable. For more on managing your money as an international student, see our AUD to CNY exchange rate guide and cost of living comparison.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information only and does not constitute tax or legal advice. GST rules, thresholds, and classifications are subject to ATO rulings and legislative change. For business GST obligations, consult a registered tax agent or BAS agent. Last updated: July 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Do international students pay GST on everything in Australia?
Yes — GST of 10% is included in the displayed price of most goods and services you buy in Australia. Unlike some countries where tax is added at the register, Australian prices must show the GST-inclusive total by law. This means the price you see on the menu, the shelf, or the website is the price you pay. GST applies to most things a student buys: food at cafes and restaurants, clothing, electronics, entertainment, transport (excluding some public transport in states where it's GST-free), and professional services. The main everyday items that are GST-free and don't cost you the extra 10% are: basic fresh food from the supermarket (fruit, vegetables, bread, milk, meat — but not prepared meals or restaurant food), education courses (your university tuition is GST-free), health and medical services, and childcare. International students cannot claim GST refunds on everyday purchases while in Australia, but departing visitors (including students leaving permanently) can claim GST back on goods purchased within 60 days of departure under the Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS), provided the goods are taken out of Australia and total $300 or more from a single retailer.
Is rent in Australia subject to GST?
Residential rent is generally GST-free — your landlord does not charge GST on your rent, and the rent you pay is the rent you see in the lease agreement. This applies to private rentals, share houses, student accommodation, and university-managed residences. Commercial property leases (office, retail, warehouse space) do attract GST, but this doesn't affect most students. The one exception: if your accommodation is more like a hotel — short-term stays with daily servicing — GST may apply. Standard residential tenancies of several weeks or longer are GST-free.
I'm an international student doing freelance work — do I need to register for GST?
You only need to register for GST if your business or freelance income exceeds the $75,000 annual turnover threshold. Most student freelancers (tutoring, food delivery, design work) earn well below this and don't need to register. If you do register — either because you exceed the threshold or voluntarily — you must charge GST (an extra 10%) on your invoices, lodge Business Activity Statements (BAS) quarterly, and can claim GST credits on your business purchases. Voluntary registration is generally not beneficial for small-scale freelancers because the administrative burden of BAS lodgement outweighs the GST credit benefit. If you're earning below $75,000, the simplest approach is to not register, not charge GST, and operate as a sole trader without a GST component in your pricing.
Can I claim back GST on purchases when I leave Australia?
Yes, under the Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS), departing visitors and international students leaving Australia permanently can claim a refund of the GST (and Wine Equalisation Tax, if applicable) on goods purchased in the 60 days before departure. Conditions: the goods must total $300 or more (GST-inclusive) from a single retailer on a single tax invoice, you must have paid for the goods yourself, you must wear or carry the goods as hand luggage (or present them at the TRS counter before checking them in — for oversized items like laptops and handbags), and you need the original tax invoice showing the GST amount. The TRS counter is located after passport control at international airports. The refund is typically processed to your credit card or Australian bank account within 60 days. Services (hotel stays, restaurant meals, Uber rides) are not eligible for TRS — only physical goods you're taking out of Australia.

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Disclaimer: This article provides general information only and does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Figures and thresholds referenced are 2026 estimates and may vary by individual circumstances. Always verify details with a licensed financial adviser, tax professional, or your state revenue office before making a purchase or investment decision.