ATBAussie Tax Back

Built for working holiday makers, casual workers and first-time lodgers

Work out your Australian tax refund in plain English.

Add your income, tax already taken out, and work expenses. Get a simple estimate and a guide for what to check in myTax.

Start calculatorWorking holiday guide

What you get

  • A refund or amount-to-pay estimate
  • Working holiday maker tax rates
  • Plain work expense categories
  • A checklist for myGov and myTax

Start with your myGov income statement.

You only need a few numbers: income, tax already taken out, and any work costs you paid yourself.

Your income

This changes the tax rate. Working holiday makers are usually taxed from the first dollar they earn.

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Use the total income from your payslips or myGov.

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This is the tax your employer already took out during the year.

Quick work expenses

Do you already know your total work expenses?

Student loan and Medicare

Do you have a HELP, HECS or other study loan?

Did you have a spouse or children?

This can affect extra Medicare charges for higher income earners.

Did you not have to pay Medicare?

I could not use Medicare for part of the year

If you have a Medicare Entitlement Statement, enter the number of days it says you were not covered. Leave as zero if unsure.

Add extra ATO income items

Most people can leave these as zero. Add them if myGov shows them, because they can change study loan and Medicare estimates.

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Common situations

Which one sounds like you?

Use these examples to choose the right options in the calculator and know what to check in myGov.

Working holiday visa

You worked farm, hospo, cleaning or warehouse jobs while travelling around Australia.

Check: Choose working holiday maker visa and add the total income from all jobs.

Why it matters: Your tax usually starts from the first dollar, so your refund may be smaller than a resident worker's.

Casual job, too much tax taken

You had one casual job and your payslips show a lot of tax taken out each week.

Check: Add your total income and the tax already taken out from your myGov income statement.

Why it matters: This is a common refund situation, especially if you only worked part of the year.

Two jobs at the same time

You worked two jobs, or changed jobs, and are not sure if the tax-free threshold was used correctly.

Check: Add income and tax from every employer, not just your main job.

Why it matters: You might get a refund, but you can also owe money if too little tax was taken out.

No Medicare cover

You were on a temporary visa and could not use Medicare for some or all of the year.

Check: Check if you need a Medicare Entitlement Statement, then add the number of days not covered.

Why it matters: This can lower the Medicare part of the estimate, but only if the ATO accepts the exemption.

Real work costs

You bought safety boots, tools, uniforms, licences, or used your phone for work.

Check: Add only costs you paid yourself, keep receipts, and remove anything your employer paid back.

Why it matters: Work costs can help, but they only reduce taxable income. They are not refunded dollar for dollar.

Study loan or HECS debt

You have a HELP, HECS or study loan and your income is above the repayment level.

Check: Turn on the study loan option and include any extra income items shown in myGov.

Why it matters: Study loan repayments can reduce your refund or turn a refund into an amount to pay.

Try your own numbers

How this tax refund calculator works

  1. 1. Add incomeEnter what you earned and tax already taken out.
  2. 2. Add work costsUse a total or the guided expense questions.
  3. 3. Check myTaxUse the guide to compare against myGov.

Helpful guides

Working holiday tax refund guideBackpacker tax refund guideCasual worker tax calculatorFarm work tax refund guideHow to read your myGov income statementMedicare statement guideTemporary visa Medicare guideWork expenses guideWhat can I claim on tax?Tax return checklist

What work expenses can you include?

  • ✓Work clothes and safety gear
  • ✓Tools and equipment
  • ✓Phone and internet
  • ✓Training and licences
  • ✓Work travel
  • ✓Subscriptions and memberships
  • ✓Donations to charity
  • ✓Tax agent fees

Helpful official links

Want to check the official rules? These ATO pages may help.

Rates last checked: 14 May 2026

Tax rates, working holiday maker rates, Medicare guidance, study loan rates and car kilometre rates were checked against public ATO pages.

Frequently asked questions