International students employed in Australia under a Tax File Number (TFN) or Australian Business Number (ABN) must lodge an annual tax return with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) between 1 July and 31 October.
Key Tax Concepts for Students
- Australian Resident for Tax Purposes: If you are enrolled in an Australian course lasting 6 months or longer, you are generally treated as an Australian resident for tax purposes.
- Tax-Free Threshold: You do not pay income tax on the first AUD 18,200 earned within the financial year.
- Medicare Levy Exemption: As temporary visa holders not entitled to Medicare, international students can apply for a Medicare Entitlement Statement (MES) to exempt the 2% Medicare levy.
Source: Australian Taxation Office (ATO)
