Student Tax Return
Student Tax Returns Made Simple.
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Studying full time and working on the side? Sort your return online for just $69, check your eligible deductions and have it reviewed by a certified tax agent before it’s lodged.
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Full-Time Student
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Agent Reviewed
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Direct ATO Pre-Fill
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Only $69 for full time students, no hidden fees
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$69 flat for full-time students.
Earned under $18,200 and had tax withheld? You can usually get all of it back by lodging. Tax Falcon’s student return is $69, with ATO pre-fill and a registered tax agent review included.
$18,200 tax-free
ATO pre-fill
Agent reviewed
Getting Started
Do Students Need to Lodge a Tax Return?
Being a student doesn’t automatically mean you need to lodge a tax return. If you work part time, casually or during holidays, you may have had tax withheld. Lodging a return helps determine whether you’re due a refund or have tax to pay. If you’re unsure, Tax Falcon can help.
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Working While Studying
Income & Deductions.
Whether you’re working at a café, restaurant, retail store, supermarket or office, your income needs to be included in your tax return, and you may have expenses related to earning it that could be deductible.
Clothing & Uniforms
Work related clothing and uniform costs.
Phone & Internet
Work related phone and internet use.
Travel
Claim your eligible work travel costs.
Tools & Equipment
Tools and equipment used for work.
Other Expenses
Other eligible work related expenses apply.
Not sure what you can claim? We make it easier to identify deductions you may be entitled to.
Self Education
What About University and Study Expenses?
Not Every Expense Qualifies
Being a student doesn’t mean every study expense is deductible. Self education costs may qualify when your study has a direct connection to your current work and helps maintain or improve your skills or income.
What May Be Eligible
For example, eligible expenses may include certain course costs, textbooks, equipment and other study related expenses. Your circumstances matter, so Tax Falcon helps you identify what may be relevant to your return each year.
Study Loans
What About HECS HELP?
How It’s Factored In
Have a HECS-HELP or other study loan? Your loan details are considered when preparing your return. A HECS-HELP debt doesn’t automatically mean you must repay. Compulsory repayments depend on your income and the ATO threshold.
Worth Remembering
HECS HELP repayments are never tax deductible, no matter how much you’ve paid during the year. We’ll still record your loan details carefully so your return reflects your correct tax position and repayment obligations.
How It Works
Your Student Tax Return in 3 Simple Steps.
01
Get Started Online
Create your Tax Falcon account and start your tax return from your phone, tablet or computer.
02
Tell Us About Your Year
Answer a few simple questions about your work, income, study and expenses.
03
Review & Lodge
Your return is reviewed by a certified tax agent before it’s lodged with the ATO.
Why Tax Falcon
Why Choose Tax Falcon?
Only $69
A dedicated, affordably priced tax return built just for full time students.
Direct ATO Pre-Fill
We connect with the ATO to pull your available information in automatically.
Certified Tax Agent Review
Every tax return is checked by a certified tax agent before it’s lodged.
Easy Online Process
Complete your tax return anywhere, anytime, from your phone, tablet or computer.
Help With Eligible Deductions
We help you identify the deductions that may apply to your situation.
Maximum Refund Guarantee
We help you claim every eligible deduction so you never miss a dollar.
Before You Start
What Do I Need to Get Started?
Getting your first tax return sorted is easier than you might think. Here’s everything worth having on hand before you begin.
Tax File Number
Used to identify your tax record.
Bank Details
For any refund to be paid.
Income Information
Payslips or income statements from work.
Job Details
Employer names and dates you worked.
Expense Receipts
Proof for any deductions you claim.
Study Loan Info
Your HECS HELP or similar balance.
You may not need to manually enter everything. Available ATO pre-fill information can help make the process quicker.
Questions
Student Tax Return FAQs.
How much does a student tax return cost?
A student tax return with Tax Falcon costs $69, a flat fee, for full-time students. ATO pre-fill and a registered tax agent review are included. If you’re not a full-time student, the Standard return is $88. See Pricing and Standard Tax Return.
Can I get a tax refund as a student?
Yes, if your employer withheld tax. The tax-free threshold is $18,200, so if you earned less and tax was withheld, you can usually get all of it back. For example, if you earned $15,000 and $900 was withheld, lodging could return the $900. See Tax refund as a student.
Do I need to lodge a tax return if I’m a full-time student?
Generally yes, if you earned more than $18,200 or if tax was withheld from your pay. If you earned less and no tax was withheld, you may not need to. Lodging is still worthwhile if tax was withheld, because it’s the only way to claim it back. See Student Tax Return guide.
Can students claim tax deductions?
Yes, if the cost is work-related. You can claim it if you paid for it yourself, weren’t reimbursed, it directly relates to earning your income and you have a record. Examples are uniforms, tools, and the work-use share of your phone. See Tax deductions guide.
Can I claim my university fees?
Generally no. Study costs are only deductible if the course has a direct link to your current job, for example a retail worker studying a retail management course. HECS-HELP debt and repayments can never be claimed. See Tax deductions guide.
Can I claim my laptop or textbooks?
Only for work use, or if your study is directly connected to your current job. A laptop costing $300 or less can generally be claimed immediately for the work-use portion. Above $300, you claim depreciation over its effective life, which the ATO sets at 2 years for laptops.
Does HECS-HELP affect my student tax return?
HELP repayments are worked out on your tax return, but you only repay once your repayment income passes the ATO threshold ($67,000 for 2025–26). Below that, you repay nothing. See HECS-HELP guide and HECS tax return.
What if I had more than one job?
Report all of them. The ATO pre-fills each income statement. The tax-free threshold is usually claimed at one employer only, so tax at a second job is often higher, and your return reconciles the total. You may get a refund or owe a small amount.
When is the student tax return deadline?
The usual deadline is 31 October. In 2026 it fell on a Saturday, so Monday 2 November counted as on time. If you’ve missed it, lodge as soon as you can, because late penalties grow the longer you wait. See Tax deadlines and Overdue tax returns.
How much tax will I pay on my student income?
Residents pay no tax on the first $18,200. Income from $18,201 to $45,000 is taxed at 16%. For example, on $25,000 that’s $1,088 before offsets, and the low income tax offset (up to $700) generally brings it down to about $388. The 2% Medicare levy generally doesn’t apply below about $28,000. See Tax-free threshold.
Ready to Get Your Tax Return Sorted?
Your first tax return doesn’t have to be complicated. For just $69, Tax Falcon makes it easy for full time students to complete their tax return online, check eligible deductions and have their return reviewed by a certified tax agent.
[Button] Start My Student Tax Return (new tab, rel="noopener")
Only $69 for full time students.