🇦🇺 Australia · Tax System
Corporate tax, VAT/GST, personal income tax, capital gains, and filing obligations.
Quick answer
Australia taxes income federally through the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) at progressive rates and levies a Goods and Services Tax (GST) on most supplies. Residents are taxed on worldwide income; the tax year runs 1 July to 30 June.
Taxes are administered by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). Companies pay company income tax, and GST applies to most goods and services.
- The company tax rate is 30%, or 25% for base-rate entities (smaller companies that meet the criteria).
- GST is 10% and applies to most goods and services.
- Filing and payment are handled online through the ATO Business Portal / myGovID.
Step-by-step
- 1
Check your tax residency
Determine your Australian tax residency; residents are taxed on worldwide income, foreign residents on Australian-sourced income, and the tax-free threshold applies to residents.
- 2
Get a Tax File Number
Apply for a Tax File Number (TFN) from the ATO; businesses also register for an ABN and, where relevant, GST.
- 3
Understand the taxes that apply
Identify income tax (progressive rates), the Medicare levy, GST on most goods and services (business), and compulsory superannuation on wages.
- 4
Have PAYG withheld
Employers withhold Pay As You Go (PAYG) tax; the self-employed may pay PAYG instalments.
- 5
Lodge your return
Lodge your tax return through myTax or a registered agent — usually due 31 October for self-lodgers, for the year ending 30 June.
- 6
Pay, keep records and get advice
Pay any amount owing, keep records for the required period, and get advice for foreign-income or residency questions.
Checklist
- Tax residency determined
- Tax File Number (TFN) [+ ABN/GST for business]
- Applicable taxes identified (income tax, Medicare levy, GST, super)
- PAYG withholding or instalments
- Return lodged via myTax/agent (by 31 October)
- Superannuation contributions tracked
- Records kept for the required period
- Advice for foreign-income/residency
Official authorities
- Australian Taxation Office (ATO)
National tax authority — company tax, GST, filing.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Australian tax year?
The income year runs from 1 July to 30 June, and individuals lodge a return after year-end.
Am I a resident for tax purposes?
Residency depends on tests such as domicile and physical presence; residents are taxed on worldwide income, non-residents only on Australian-source income.
What is the GST rate?
GST applies at a flat rate to most goods and services, with some exemptions such as basic food.
Official-information aggregation, not legal advice. Always verify on the authority's own site.
Government portals
- Australian Government — Australian Government's official entry point — quick access to all department services
- Dept of Home Affairs — Student/work visas, skilled migration (189/190/491 subclasses), and citizenship applications
- Australian Tax Office (ATO) — TFN application, tax refunds, GST, superannuation, and personal income tax lodgment