Australia (AU)
Australia is the world's sixth-largest country by area and one of the most urbanised nations on Earth, with over 85% of its 27 million people living in coastal cities.
Leaving Australia
How to properly exit — protecting your finances, rights and records.
📅 General Timeline
3 months before: give lease notice, arrange international removalists (get quotes from at least 3 companies, allow 4–12 weeks for sea freight). 1–2 months before: notify ATO of departure date, cancel utilities with notice period, cancel gym memberships and subscriptions, close or redirect bank accounts. Final weeks: lodge any outstanding tax returns, obtain DASP application materials, cancel Medicare and private health insurance, submit bond refund claim, organise mail redirection at auspost.com.au.
Deregistration
Australia has no formal mandatory address deregistration for departing residents. You must notify the ATO of your departure and change of residency status. Notify Services Australia (Centrelink) if receiving any welfare payments or Family Tax Benefit. Cancel Medicare — your Medicare eligibility ceases when you leave Australia and no longer reside here (if you are a PR/citizen who returns, Medicare reactivates). Update your address with banks, insurers, and subscription services.
Tax clearance
Lodge a final Australian tax return for the financial year of departure (by 31 October or 15 May with a tax agent). Notify the ATO that you are ceasing Australian tax residency — this affects your withholding tax rates on any ongoing Australian income (dividends, rent). Australian source income earned after becoming a non-resident is still taxable in Australia but at non-resident rates (32.5% from $1, no tax-free threshold). Capital gains on assets — including Australian real property and shares — may be triggered on deemed disposal when you cease Australian tax residency (unless assets are "taxable Australian property").
Pension portability
Superannuation is the key departure consideration. Permanent residents and citizens cannot access their super early on departure — it is preserved until preservation age (60). Temporary visa holders are eligible for DASP (Departing Australia Superannuation Payment) after their visa expires/is cancelled and they leave Australia — apply online at ato.gov.au. DASP withholding tax rates (confirmed 2026 by ATO): taxed element 35% (most temporary visa holders); untaxed element 45%; Working Holiday Maker visa (417/462) entire balance 65%. Australia has bilateral social security agreements with 31 countries that may affect Age Pension portability — check dss.gov.au. Source: ATO DASP withholding; countrytaxcalc.com Australia 2026.
Health insurance
Cancel private health insurance with the required notice period (typically 30 days). If you are leaving Australia permanently (as a citizen or PR), your Medicare card ceases to be valid. If you intend to return, some PRs and citizens maintain Medicare dormancy — contact Services Australia. Travel insurance for your departure journey and initial settlement period in your new country is essential.
Bank account
You can retain Australian bank accounts after departure — useful for receiving any ongoing Australian income, DASP payments, or tax refunds. Notify your bank of your new overseas address. If closing accounts, do so before departure to avoid complications. Wire remaining funds via Wise for the best exchange rate. Australian banks must report accounts of foreign tax residents to the ATO under CRS (Common Reporting Standard).
Utilities
Cancel electricity, gas, and internet with the required notice period (30 days for most providers). Provide a final meter reading and closing date. Cancel mobile phone plans — exit fees may apply for plans still under contract. Redirect mail with Australia Post (mail redirection service, $35–$75 for 3–12 months — auspost.com.au).
Rental contract
Standard residential tenancy notice: 21–28 days for periodic tenancies (varies by state). For fixed-term leases, a break-lease fee may apply (typically 1–6 weeks rent depending on time remaining). Submit your bond refund claim via the state bond authority portal (RTA QLD, RTBA VIC, NSW Fair Trading, etc.) before leaving. Document the property carefully at the final inspection.
Leaving the Country
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