Study here. Work here. Get the right tax back.

Student Tax Returns in Adelaide and Across Australia

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Many students work part-time in Australia. Most of them pay tax from every pay. Many then get some of it back when they lodge a tax return. But the rules can feel hard. Are you a resident or not? Which tax-free amount is yours? Can you skip the Medicare levy?

AMA Accountants can help. We are registered tax agents and CPA/IPA accountants in Adelaide. We have run our firm for 25 years. Every year our team lodges more than 20,000 tax returns.

Want to know what you could claim?

Call (08) 7111 0100 or send your details through the form on this page.

We will review your situation before you commit to anything.

Fill The form to Lodge Your Student Tax Returns

Quick Answer:
Do Students Need to Lodge a Tax Return?

Usually, yes. Here is the simple guide:

Your situation	What to do
You earned money in Australia and tax was taken out of your pay	Lodge a return. This is how you ask for a refund.
You earned more than the tax-free amount that applies to you	Lodge a return.
You earned less than the tax-free amount and no tax was taken out	You may send the ATO a "non-lodgement advice" instead. Ask us.
You had an ABN, for example delivery or tutoring work	Lodge a return. This is business income.

General information only. Your own facts can change the answer.

AMA Accountants

Company Statistics

20,000 +

Returns Annually

20 +

Tax Consultants

20 M

In Claimed Deductions

25 +

Years Experience

Student Tax Return FAQs

Do international students have to lodge a tax return in Australia?

Usually, yes. If you earned income here, and especially if tax was taken out of your pay, you should lodge. That is how you ask for a refund.

Am I a resident for tax purposes if I study here?

You may be. The ATO says an overseas student in a course of 6 months or more may be a resident for tax. Your visa alone does not decide it. Where you live and how long you stay also count.

What if I earn less than $18,200?

If tax was taken out of your pay, lodge a return to ask for it back. If no tax was taken out, you may only need to tell the ATO you did not need to lodge.

Do I pay tax on money I earn in my home country?

If you are a temporary resident, most foreign income is not taxed in Australia and you do not declare it. Some income from work done overseas while you hold a temporary visa may still count. Ask us about your case.

Can I claim my uni fees?

Only if the course has a clear link to your current job. Study for a future career usually cannot be claimed.

How long does a refund take?

The ATO can issue many refunds within about two weeks once a return is lodged. Some returns take longer if the ATO checks details.

Can I lodge after I leave Australia?

es. You can lodge from overseas, and we can also help with your DASP claim.

How do I know my tax agent is registered?

Ask for the TPB number and check it on the Tax Practitioners Board register. Ours is 25993228.

Ready to Lodge? Let Us Do the Hard Part.

You are busy with classes, work and life. Leave the tax rules to us.

Get in touch with AMA Accountants today. We will review your situation and prepare your return from start to finish.

Phone: (08) 7111 0100
Mobile / WhatsApp: 0420 529 890
Email: finance@amaaccountant.com.au
Office: 477 Torrens Road, Woodville SA 5011

AMA Accountants is a registered tax agent (TPB registration number 25993228). This page is general information only and does not take into account your personal circumstances. Please speak with your tax agent about your individual situation.