October 2025

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a 10% levy that is included in the price of most consumer products, and businesses must ensure that it is included in their prices. Simply put, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a broad-based 10% tax that applies to most goods and services sold or consumed in Australia. The revenue from this tax is shared across Australian states to fund essential public services such as hospitals and public transport. This tax affects both consumers and business owners. If you run a business, it is important to understand the GST as you may need to register for it and adjust your pricing to include the tax. What Is GST? As mentioned earlier, GST is a consumption-based tax that applies to the things we use or consume. This doesn’t just include food and drinks – it covers almost all products and services that can be consumed or deducted. GST is a flat tax, unlike income tax, which follows a progressive system. This means that the GST rate remains fixed at 10%, regardless of your income, what you buy or how much you spend. (Unless the item or service you sell is GST-exempt – we’ll discuss that shortly.) If your business makes $75,000 or more a year, you’ll need to register for and charge GST. You’ll need to add 10% to your normal prices, record the tax collected and pay it to the government when you file your Business Activity Statement (BAS). When purchasing goods or services that already include GST for your business, you can claim a credit for the GST you paid against the GST you paid to the government. If your GST credit is more than you collected, you may be eligible for a GST refund (we’ll explain that shortly). However, not all products or services are subject to the 10% GST rate. The Australian Government exempts some items, including residential rent, certain food items, medical services, some medicines and precious metals. GST-exempt goods and services are taxed at 0%. To find a full list of GST-exempt items, visit the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) website. Understanding The Goods And Services Tax (GST) in Australia The Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a key part of Australia’s tax structure, applying a 10% charge to most goods, services and certain transactions. This coherent tax system was designed to simplify tax collection and replace the old, more complex sales tax. Under the GST model, businesses act as intermediaries for the government, adding GST to the prices of their products and services throughout the supply chain and then paying that amount to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). GST registration becomes mandatory for businesses with an annual turnover of $75,000 or more, while not-for-profit organisations must register once they reach $150,000. Businesses need a clear understanding of their GST obligations, which include issuing valid tax invoices, filing regular activity statements and maintaining accurate financial records to support GST credits and claims. How GST Affects Australian Businesses GST affects businesses by imposing a 10% tax on most goods and services, requiring them to regularly manage tax collections and submit Business Activity Statements (BAS). Any Australian business earning $75,000 or more per year is required to register for GST and include it in their prices. This tax structure promotes fair competition and easy compliance with government tax laws. However, it also affects cash flow as businesses have to pay the collected GST to the ATO – usually every quarter. This requires accurate accounting and detailed record management. When Should You Register for GST in Australia? What Is The GST Registration Threshold? Business turnover: $75,000+ per year Not-for-profit organisations: $150,000+ per year Fuel tax credit claims: GST registration required Ride-share/taxi drivers: Must register immediately Important: You must register within 21 days of crossing this threshold. Benefits of Registering For GST To claim fuel tax credits or taxi travel expenses for your business, you must register for GST. If your GST turnover is below the required threshold, registration remains optional. However, it is often smart business practice to register early—especially if you expect your new venture to exceed the $75,000 turnover mark in its first year of operation. How To Register Once your business is established and you have an Australian Business Number (ABN), you can easily register for GST online, over the phone, via a written form or through your BAS or tax agent. Simply visit the ATO’s online business portal at https://bp.ato.gov.au Or contact the ATO directly on 13 28 66 for assistance. Further Reading: What Can Teachers Claim on Tax? Teacher Tax Deductions Conclusion: Optimising GST Management Effective GST management in Australia depends on understanding how the Goods and Services Tax affects your pricing structure, cash flow and compliance obligations. For entrepreneurs and high-income earners in Toowoomba, integrating this understanding into daily business operations is critical for financial strength and sustainable growth. Firstly, GST plays a key role in pricing strategy. Adopting GST-inclusive pricing allows you to remain competitive without reducing your profit margins. It also provides transparency by showing customers the full price upfront, which builds confidence in your pricing system. At the same time, ensure that all GST credits and charges are recorded correctly in your books to avoid any mismatches with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). Secondly, GST has a direct impact on cash flow, so planning ahead is essential. Whether you pay GST quarterly or annually, each option affects your available funds differently. Assess whether your GST reporting schedule fits into your cash flow pattern. Using a cash flow forecast helps predict GST liabilities and keeps your finances stable throughout the year. Finally, compliance cannot be ignored. Meeting GST registration and payment deadlines is important to avoid penalties. Create automatic alerts for BAS lodging and perform regular account reconciliations to catch errors early. Keeping accurate records is key to simplifying GST compliance and saving time as tax deadlines approach. Working with skilled accountants or tax professionals like Truetally adds real value. They provide

When it comes to tax time, it’s important for teachers to know what they can claim. Many teachers spend their own money on work-related items, and these expenses can be claimed to reduce their taxable income and increase their refund. In Australia, teachers can claim a variety of deductions covering areas such as travel, classroom items and home office use. Knowing which expenses are allowed can make a big difference in getting the most out of your tax return. We focus on helping teachers and education professionals handle tax returns with ease. Our team understands the rules and works to ensure you don’t miss out on the deductions you’re entitled to. Whether you’re new to filing or have been teaching for years, our goal is to help you claim the right expenses and get the most out of your tax refund. What Can Teachers Claim on Tax? Many teachers and education professionals can claim special teacher tax deductions that are directly related to their jobs. If you want to make the most of this deduction, it’s important to know what common expenses you can claim. This teacher tax deduction can help reduce your tax bill and boost your return, so it’s wise to understand the rules shared by the ATO. So, how do you know if you’re eligible for the teacher tax deduction? What items are allowed, and what items can’t you include? We’ve created this handy guide to teacher tax deductions to help you get the best results on your annual return. With tax time fast approaching, this guide provides Australian teachers with practical tax tips to help you be prepared and maximise your deductions. Keeping receipts and filing your tax returns on time is key to a smooth end to the financial year. Check Also: What Is GST in Australia? A Complete Guide for Small Businesses Can Teachers Claim Taxes Without Receipts? Teachers can claim some work-related expenses on their tax return, even if they don’t have receipts, but certain rules and limitations apply. Laundry Expenses Teachers can claim laundry expenses of up to $150 per year without receipts when they relate to work clothing. This includes protective clothing, job-specific clothing, or items that are part of a registered uniform. They must show how they made the claim, as it is not an automatic deduction. Minor Expenses Teachers can claim minor expenses, up to a total of $200 for the year, without receipts. They need to keep records, such as diary notes, to show proof of these purchases. Overtime Meal Expenses Teachers can claim meal expenses without receipts if they receive an overtime meal allowance and the claim is within the ‘reasonable amount’ set by the ATO. For 2023-24, the limit per overtime meal is $35.65. Expenses up to this amount are allowable as a deduction if all ATO conditions are met. What Records Do I Need to Keep? Keeping clear and accurate records is very important at tax time, so if you want to claim the best tax refund, you should stay organized with your receipts. It’s a good idea to set up a simple and reliable system to manage this throughout the year. You don’t need to keep paper receipts, as digital copies (such as a photo or email receipt) are also accepted, as long as they show: Name of supplier Date of receipt Date of payment Total amount spent How much goods or services were purchased You don’t need to keep expenses for items under $10 (unless they total more than $200) or for which you don’t have a receipt. In such cases, you should keep an expense diary. FAQs: People Also Ask Q1. Can teachers claim tax on classroom supplies? Yes, teachers can claim money spent on pens, paper, books and other teaching supplies purchased for their students or the classroom. Q2. Are professional development expenses tax-deductible for teachers? Yes! Costs for training, workshops, and conferences related to your teaching work are generally considered tax-deductible. Q3. Can teachers claim work-related travel expenses? Teachers can claim travel expenses for work purposes, such as going to conferences or moving between schools. However, daily travel from home to school does not count. Q4. Is home office equipment tax-deductible for teachers? If teachers use part of their home for work, they can claim some expenses for internet, electricity, or office furniture used for lesson planning or grading. Q5. Can teachers claim uniform expenses? Yes, if the uniform is required, has a school logo, or provides protection such as lab coats. You can also claim laundry expenses for these uniforms. Also Read: What Is BAS & BAS Due Dates in Australia (2025 Guide)