Leaving Australia — 19-Step Checklist
Everything you need to do before you go. Click each item to mark it done. Your progress is saved in your browser.
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Notify the ATO of your departure
Lodge a "going overseas" notification. This doesn't change your residency status — only a private ruling does that.
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Lodge your final resident tax return
For the year of departure, you may need a part-year return showing resident income (Jul–departure) and non-resident income (departure–Jun).
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Understand CGT events on departure
If you become a non-resident, you're deemed to have disposed of certain taxable Australian property. You can choose to defer this CGT event — but it will apply on eventual sale.
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Consider a private ruling on residency
If your situation is borderline, request a binding private ruling from the ATO (IT form). This gives you certainty on your tax obligations.
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HECS/HELP overseas assessment
If you have HELP debt, lodge an overseas travel notification and report worldwide income. Current HELP repayment thresholds load from the shared AU tax engine.
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Notify your super fund
Update your overseas address and residency status. This affects withholding on contributions and insurance premiums.
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Consolidate multiple super accounts
Reduce fee drag by rolling everything into one fund via MyGov before you leave. Lost super can be found at ato.gov.au.
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Review insurance within super
TPD and income protection cover may not apply overseas. Check your PDS for territorial limits. Consider reducing cover to save premiums.
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Notify Medicare of your departure
Medicare doesn't cover you abroad. Notify via MyGov or a Medicare centre. You won't pay the levy as a non-resident.
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Arrange international health insurance
Get OSHC (if required by visa) or international health cover. Keep your AU private health insurance if you plan to return within 12 months to avoid LHC loading.
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Keep at least one AU bank account open
You'll need it for super withdrawals, rental income, and tax refunds. Some banks restrict overseas access — check before you go.
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Set up international money transfer
Wise (TransferWise), OFX, or similar for regular transfers. Much cheaper than bank wire — saves 2-4% on FX fees.
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Update your address with all financial institutions
Banks, super funds, insurers, share registries. Non-resident withholding may apply to dividends and interest.
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Decide what to do with your property
Sell (CGT may apply), rent out (non-resident withholding 12.5%), or leave vacant. The main residence exemption has a 6-year absence rule — but changes after 30 June 2020 may remove it for non-residents.
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Appoint a property manager or agent
If renting, your agent must withhold 12.5% of gross rent for non-residents (Foreign Resident Capital Gains Withholding). Lodge a variation request if this creates a cash flow issue.
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Notify Centrelink / Services Australia
Report your departure. Some payments continue abroad (Age Pension, DSP) but many stop after 6 weeks or 13 weeks.
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Update your electoral enrolment
Register as an overseas elector with the AEC if you plan to be away for more than 3 years. Voting is still compulsory.
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Cancel or redirect mail
Set up mail redirection via Australia Post. Cancel unnecessary subscriptions. Update your myGov contact details.
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Register with DFAT Smart Traveller
Register your overseas travel with smartraveller.gov.au for consular assistance and emergency notifications.