If you earn money here you will pay tax and need to lodge an Australian tax return. To work in Australia you need a work visa and a tax file number.
To understand your tax situation you first need to work out if you are an Australian or foreign resident for tax purposes. This may be different to your residency status for other purposes – for example, you could be an Australian resident for tax purposes even if you’re not an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
Next step: Work out your tax residency
Paying tax and lodging a tax return
After the end of the Australian income year (30 June), you lodge an annual tax return to tell us how much income you received and tax you paid. We then send you a notice of assessment and your tax refund if you’re entitled to one. ATO check information reported on tax returns against records reported by other organisations to make sure that people pay the correct amount of tax.
Do you need to lodge a tax return?
You can use ATO calculator to work out if you need to lodge a tax return.
How and when to lodge your tax return
You can use a registered tax agent to lodge your tax return. The Australian income year ends on 30 June. You have from 1 July to 31 October to lodge your tax return for the previous income year.
Returning to your home country
If you are leaving Australia permanently, you may be eligible to lodge an Australian tax return early. In this case, we will help you to lodge your tax return early.