Tax-Free & Duty-Free Shopping

There are two ways to buy your jewellery without the GST — and both are open to anyone flying or sailing out of Australia, residents included. We hold a duty-free licence, so we can take the tax off right at the counter. Or you can wear your piece for the rest of your trip and claim the tax back on your way home. We'll help you pick.

Option 1 — Sealed for travel: we take the GST off at the counter

Bring your passport and your travel itinerary (flight or cruise number and booking reference). You'll sign a short declaration that you're taking the jewellery overseas, and we'll prepare it, seal it for travel with your invoice attached to the outside, and hand it to you tax-free. Nothing to claim, nothing to queue for.

Two things to know: we can hand over sealed goods up to 60 days before you depart (you're welcome to choose and pay earlier — up to 90 days — and collect closer to your flight). And the bag stays sealed until you leave — carry it where the Border Force officers can see it at departure, and they'll check it and take the invoice. That does mean you won't be able to wear it before you fly — so if you'd like to, option 2 is made for you.

Option 2 — Wear it now, claim the tax back at the airport

Buy it, wear it, enjoy it for the rest of your trip — then claim the GST back on your way out through the Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS). You'll need to:

  • Spend $300 or more (GST inclusive) with us on one tax invoice
  • Have bought it within 60 days of leaving Australia
  • Carry it with you — worn, or in your hand luggage
  • Present the jewellery, your tax invoice, passport and boarding pass at the TRS facility, after passport control

Allow 30 minutes before your flight, or an hour before a cruise departs. TRS facilities are at the international terminals in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Cairns, Adelaide, Darwin and the Gold Coast, and at the Circular Quay and Darling Harbour cruise terminals. Your refund can go to a credit card, an Australian bank account, or by cheque.

The full conditions are on the Australian Border Force's Tourist Refund Scheme page. You can also start your claim before you get to the airport at My TRS Claim.

Which one suits you?

Want to wear your opal for the rest of your holiday? Take option 2 — buy it today, wear it tonight, claim the tax at the airport. Flying out soon, or happy to keep it packed? Option 1 is simpler — the tax comes off now and there's nothing to do at the airport but show the bag.

Buying online from overseas

Orders shipped outside Australia are sent tax-free automatically — nothing to claim. If you're in Australia when you order, GST applies, and TRS is open to you.

Bringing it back to Australia

Jewellery you claimed under TRS counts toward your passenger concession if you return with it — declare it on arrival if you go over the limit. The Australian Border Force publishes the current thresholds and the full rules.

Come and see us at Opera Quays and we'll walk you through whichever suits you — it's an honour to be part of your story.