Red Japanese Torii pole, Fuji mountain and snow nature landscape background in winter season at Chureito pagoda, JapanA new survey by TravelInsurance.com.au reveals the top destinations Australians are planning to visit using their tax refund this year. Forget shopping sprees or paying down debt: the nationally representative survey found that more than half of Australians (56%) intend to put some or all of their FY 2025 tax return towards overseas travel.
For those heading abroad with their tax dollars, the top 5 destinations are:
- Japan
- Europe
- New Zealand
- Bali/Indonesia
- Thailand
TravelInsurance.com.au CEO, Shaun McGowan, says many Aussies are using their tax return to make travel more affordable.
"Many Australians see their tax refund as an opportunity to book a holiday they might not otherwise afford. Mid-year is a popular time to travel, especially to places like Japan and Europe, where you can catch the tail end of summer without the crowds and inflated prices," he says.
"The trend we’re seeing is that most Aussies have already covered flights, accommodation and travel insurance with savings. They plan to use their tax return for spending money, tours, and experiences."
Australians are least likely to put their tax refund towards trips to the United States, South America, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Africa, the survey found.
Where the rest of Aussies are going with their tax refund
While overseas travel was the top choice, the survey found that a smaller portion of Australians (8%) plan to travel domestically with their tax refund, and 6% are setting sail on a cruise. In contrast, nearly a third (30%) say they won’t spend their FY 2025 tax return on travel at all.
