Is there a GST refund desk at Cairns Airport?

[ozstamps]

We are flying CNS-HKG shortly and need to get back GST paid on some new goods here - about $250 GST involved, so do not want to miss out on it.

In SYD, there is a large room with about 6 agents processing GST refunds, and have never had to wait more than 10 or 15 mins to be processed.

I am assuming there is an area at CNS that does this - can anyone who has used it please give me a pointer as to approx where it is, as we have a pretty short domestic connection and do not want to miss out!

Thanks in advance!

Glen

 

[serfty]

I haven't used it, but this may assist:

TRS applications

There is an indication of a CNS office, but nothing re opening times.

Tourist Refund Scheme » Cairns Airport

You indicate you would be short of time, and do need to have TRS processed no later than 30 minutes before scheduled departure time, so I would recommend using the app.

 

[turtlemichael]

The attached terminal map indicates where the TRS desk is. Although I haven't flown out of Cairns International for a few years it was always open in advance of departures. Maybe someone like Limewood would be up to date? There were usually one or two officers there.

https://www.cairnsairport.com.au/assets/maps/pdf/t1-internal-map.pdf

 

[vetrade]

Yep, save time by downloading the TRS app to your phone or laptop - if you have the info ready it'll make the process at Cairns pretty quick.

 

[trooper]

For those of us who actually have to deal with "Customs" matters prior to departure at SYD its funny how that office has become a virtually full time TRS refund facility. In fact I have been greeted with visible pleasure/relief by officers there when I reach the front of the queue and actually am NOT looking for TRS receipt stamping... Seems they LIKE actually dealing with "Customs" procedures!!

 

[OZDUCK]

For those of us who actually have to deal with "Customs" matters prior to departure at SYD its funny how that office has become a virtually full time TRS refund facility. In fact I have been greeted with visible pleasure/relief by officers there when I reach the front of the queue and actually am NOT looking for TRS receipt stamping... Seems they LIKE actually dealing with "Customs" procedures!!

I think that is probably pretty true. As I have said on another thread, when the TRS was introduced we (Customs) didn't want to deal with it. It was only pushed on to us when all the tenders the Govt. received to run the scheme were hugely expensive - far more than it cost us. The last couple of times that I have claimed a GST refund at Perth Airport I have dealt with an old friend of mine that I worked for with in Customs for many years. He, like me, is long retired but does part time "contract" work and usually gets put onto the TRS desk leaving others to do the more "interesting" work.

 

[ozstamps]

Thanks Folks ….. so no-one has used this recently at CAIRNS? In SYD there are about 6 or 7 agents but often 20 folks lining up to see them.