There are rules in Australia with regard to payment of superannuation. If you work in any form of paid employment, you may be entitled to receive superannuation payments from your employer.  The minimum superannuation payments are 9% of your taxable income.  You are entitled to receive these payments if your taxable income exceeds $450 in a calendar month. The superannuation payments will be paid into an approved superannuation fund. For all Australian residents, this money is usually not accessible until the person reaches retirement age. However for international students, superannuation paid to a fund in their name is accessible when they are departing Australia. For information on claiming this money, go to the Tax Office website: http://www.ato.gov.au/super/content.asp?doc=/content/23499.htm&page=5 This page will give you information on the two different types of claim forms, depending on the amount of superannuation you have accumulated. If you have less than $5000, you can apply online, whereas if you have more than $5000 you will have to apply through DIMIA and this will cost an application fee for verification from DIMIA. Tax Returns Every person who has earnt over $6000 or who has paid income tax from their income in Australia is legally bound to complete a Tax Return for that financial year. The Tax Return should be lodged with the Tax Office by October 31st following the end of the financial year. There are three ways you can lodge a Tax Return, paper lodgment, online lodgment(Etax), or through a tax agent. Forms Paper lodgment involves using a Tax Pack. This can be obtained either through the Tax Office, by calling them, or from one of their offices, or from a newsagent. Most newsagents stock them. Also if you have done a paper lodgment the year earlier, the Tax Office will send you a new one each year to the address you used on the previous return. It is always advisable to keep a copy of your return and any documents accompanying the return. Etax Etax is online lodgment. You can do this by downloading the program from the Tax Office website at : http://www.ato.gov.au/individuals/pathway.asp?pc=001/002/014 It is very easy to use and has a much faster processing time than the paper lodgment method.  To lodge a Tax Return via Etax, if you have lodged a Tax Return before, via any method, you need a previous Tax Assessment notice sequence number. If you have not lodged before via any method you only need your TFN. You should always keep a soft and hard copyof your return.
Time for processing The average time for processing returns  lodged online is about 2 weeks, however if you haven’t received any correspondence for three weeks after lodgment you should call the Tax Office to make sure your return was received and there are no problems. Paper lodgment will take around six weeks.  Again if you hear nothing by the seventh week you should call to check that the return was received. If you use a tax agent, they will tell you the processing time, however this is usually 2 weeks. Sections to look for: Part Year Threshold – Leaving Or Arriving In Australia During A Financial Year. Please take note that the tax free threshold applies if you have been in Australia for the full financial year. If you have been in Australia for less than this, the tax free threshold will be reduced pro rata. Medicare Levy Exemption You will need to make sure that you fill in the section on the return stating that you are eligible for the Medicare levy exemption. If you don’t fill this out, you will be charged the levy. You will need to provide a copy of the Medicare Levy Certificate of Exemption. (see details above in Medicare levy) Deductions Please note that you must have receipts for most deductions. You are not able to claim the self education deductions unless you were working in the employment prior to becoming a student and the study is directly related to your course.