Once you have completed and signed your application you can lodge it by phone or by post.
Lodging by phone will take you a few minutes and we will process your application within 14 days. We will process applications lodged by post within six weeks.
Lodging by phone
Phone 13 28 65.
This service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To avoid busy periods, phone before midday, after 5.00pm or on weekends.
What is the phone lodgment service?
Phone lodgment uses speech recognition. Simply answer each question.
Your call will be recorded in case anything needs to be checked later.
How to lodge your education tax refund claim by phone
- Complete the enclosed Education tax refund for individuals 2011, then read, sign and date the declaration.
- When you phone to lodge you must have your completed Education tax refund for individuals 2011 in front of you. Phone 13 28 65.
- Listen to each question asking for the information you have already written on your Education tax refund for individuals 2011.
Make sure you have listened to the whole question before you begin to answer. Speak naturally, as in normal conversation, there is no need to slow down.
- The service refers to red block letters beside the boxes you fill in on your claim (for example, L) as 'label L'.
- Listen carefully. You will be asked for confirmation on the amount you are claiming and the postcode you have provided.
- If the service has trouble understanding your answer, you will be asked to repeat the information or to use the phone keypad instead.
- If you don't understand a question, say 'help' and the service will give you more information. You may say 'repeat' if you have not understood the question. See What if something goes wrong? for more information.
- Once you have successfully lodged your Education tax refund for individuals 2011, you will be given a receipt number at the end of your call. Write the receipt number on your education tax refund claim. This receipt number is your official acknowledgment that you have lodged your education tax refund claim.
This is the only information you will be given.
Important
Once you have lodged your Education tax refund for individuals 2011 over the phone and received a receipt number, you can't lodge your education tax refund claim again.
Stop
Do not send us the paper copy of your Education tax refund for individuals 2011 if you have lodged by phone and received a receipt number. Keep your copy and the receipt number for your records.
What if something goes wrong?
If you don't understand a question, say 'help' and the service will give you more information.
If you experience difficulties using the service, or have any feedback, phone us on 13 28 61.
What if I get cut off or I cannot complete my lodgment?
If you cannot complete your lodgment you can phone again and reuse the details from your earlier phone call. To update personal details, phone 13 28 61.
What if the service doesn't understand me?
If the service doesn't understand you:
- try saying the information in a different way, for example, saying the amount of $1,235 can be either 'one, two, three, five dollars' or 'one thousand, two hundred and thirty-five dollars'
- use a fixed landline phone. Our service may have trouble understanding you if you are using a cordless or mobile phone because of interference. Alternatively you may use your phone keypad.
What if I have made a mistake on my claim?
If after you get your receipt number, you realise that you made a mistake or omitted some information, you will need to correct it as soon as possible by requesting an amendment.
How do I know I have finished?
You have finished lodging your education tax refund claim only when you have been issued with a receipt number.
Lodging by mail
Send your completed Education tax refund for individuals 2011 to:
Australian Taxation Office
GPO Box 9845
[insert the name and postcode of your capital city]
For example;
Australian Taxation Office
GPO Box 9845
SYDNEY NSW 2001
Keep your records
You must keep your records, usually for five years, unless you are subject to the shorter period of review.
If lodging by mail, you should first make a copy of your completed Education tax refund for individuals 2011 for your records.
If lodging by phone, keep your completed Education tax refund for individuals 2011 and the receipt number with your records.
How to contact the FAO
For advice on family tax benefit, you can contact the FAO by any of the following means.
- Visit their website at servicesaustralia.gov.auExternal Link
- Phone 13 61 50 between 8.00am and 8.00pm, Monday to Friday.
- Visit your nearest FAO. Offices are located in Medicare offices and Centrelink customer service centres.
- Phone 13 12 02 if you don't speak English well.
- Use a teletypewriter (TTY) service 1800 810 586 if you have a hearing or speech impairment (this service is only available via a teletypewriter).