1
Confirm visa status
Check VEVO for your visa expiry, travel facility, and any conditions. Save screenshots or PDFs alongside flight confirmation so you can demonstrate lawful departure if asked later.
Wrap up your Australian stay
Leaving Australia when your visa ends
Use this structured checklist to finalise immigration, tax, and financial tasks before you fly. You’ll leave in good standing, capture refunds you’re owed, and stay ready for a future return.
On this page
Skip straight to the topic you need for an orderly departure.
Know what changes when your visa finishes
Once your visa expires or you decide to depart early, you have a short window to finalise compliance tasks. Focus on visa status, tax lodgements, superannuation refunds, and the contact details organisations use once you’re overseas.
- Confirm your visa status in VEVO and capture departure evidence such as boarding passes or travel itineraries.
- Notify employers, education providers, landlords, and service providers so that final invoices or forms can be issued promptly.
- Keep records of income, bank statements, super balances, and visas for future refund claims or migration applications.
- Leave at least one Australian bank account active until refunds arrive, then close or maintain it based on your plans.
Stay across rule changes
Tax withholding rates, DASP rules, and Tourist Refund Scheme thresholds adjust regularly. Review the Department of Home Affairs and Australian Taxation Office guidance before you depart to confirm the latest eligibility requirements.
Four essentials before you board
2
Notify key organisations
- Employer or education provider for final pay and records
- ATO and super funds so they know you are leaving
- Banks, utilities, and telcos to finalise bills
- Private health cover or insurance providers
3
Download and store records
Collect payslips, payment summaries, super statements, tenancy documents, and any health insurance paperwork. Secure digital copies in cloud storage you can access from overseas.
4
Organise finances
Keep an Australian bank account active for refunds, note any account closure fees, and prepare international transfer details for moving funds once payments land.
Money you can claim back after leaving
Most temporary residents are entitled to refunds or benefits once their visa has ended. Prepare documentation before departure so claims are quick when you reach your next destination.
Final tax return
Declare income earned in Australia up to your departure date. If you leave before 30 June, you may lodge a paper return marked as your final return. Keep your TFN, employer summaries, and bank details ready for any refund.
Leave your bank account open until the Australian Taxation Office processes the payment.
DASP superannuation
Temporary residents (except Australian or New Zealand citizens and permanent residents) can claim their super as a Departing Australia Superannuation Payment once the visa has ceased.
- Prepare certified ID and visa information before you leave.
- Submit the claim online only after your visa expires or is cancelled.
- Expect tax withholding—rates vary by visa class and super components.
Tourist Refund Scheme
Bring eligible goods purchased within 60 days of departure, along with tax invoices, to the TRS counter at the airport. You must show the goods, passport, and boarding pass before leaving Australia.
- Goods need to travel with you as carry-on or be sighted before check-in.
- Claims must reach the threshold (currently AUD 300 including GST from one business).
Utilities and other refunds
Contact landlords, utilities, transport authorities, and insurers to settle balances and request bond or deposit refunds. Provide international contact and bank details in writing.
- Set reminders for any refunds that may arrive months later.
- Keep email addresses up to date for follow-up documentation.
Plan ahead if you expect to return
Check future visa pathways
Review whether your current visa has a multiple-entry travel facility or whether you will need a new visa. Keep evidence of compliant departure and employment history for future applications.
Keep communications active
Update banks, the ATO, and super funds with an email address you monitor. This keeps refunds moving and ensures you receive notices relating to taxation or compliance.
Store documents securely
Maintain scanned copies of identity documents, payslips, rental agreements, and study records. Having documentation accessible abroad speeds up reference checks and visa assessments.
Departure checklist
Refer to this quick table when you are finalising your exit tasks.
| Task | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Confirm visa status and conditions | Document lawful departure and understand if further travel rights remain. |
| Gather departure evidence | Retain boarding passes, itineraries, and any departure cards for future visa lodgements. |
| Lodge or prepare final tax return | Ensures correct tax withheld and unlocks any ATO refund due to you. |
| Identify super funds and DASP eligibility | Collect account numbers and certified ID before leaving to speed up the claim. |
| Review TRS purchases | Pack eligible goods and invoices in carry-on to claim GST/WET refunds. |
| Finalise utilities and housing | Arrange inspections, settle bills, and confirm bond refund payment details. |
| Update contact details | Provide overseas email/phone so banks, ATO, and super funds can reach you. |
| Close or maintain financial accounts | Keep one account open for refunds, then decide whether to close or retain it. |
| Plan next steps | Review visa options for returning and store documents for future applications. |
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply for the superannuation refund while still in Australia?
You can prepare identification documents and gather super fund details while you are in Australia, but you must submit the DASP claim after you have left and your temporary visa has ceased.
How long does the DASP process take?
Processing varies between super funds. Many applications finalise within several weeks once identity, visa, and departure evidence are verified.
What happens if I don’t claim my super within six months?
Your super fund may transfer the balance to the Australian Taxation Office as unclaimed superannuation. You can still access it later, but the claim takes longer because you must retrieve it through the ATO.
Does claiming DASP stop me from returning to Australia?
No. DASP payments do not block future visas. You will still need to apply for a new visa if your previous travel facility has expired.
Official references
Verify requirements with these authoritative sources before you depart:
- Department of Home Affairs – Leaving Australia guidance
- Australian Taxation Office – Leaving Australia checklist
- ATO – Departing Australia Superannuation Payment (DASP)
- Australian Border Force – Tourist Refund Scheme
Information on this page is general in nature and does not replace personalised migration, tax, or financial advice.