From my experience with the GST refund, Reddo, be prepared for a loooooooooong wait.
It is obvious that it is NOT in the Govt's interest to refund taxes, and the service offered reflects this..again from my personal experience (and an email stating the same, sent to them.)
I joined a queue in BNE - the queue being about 8 or 10 ahead of me - served by 2 Customs officers.
The processing seemed, to me, to be deliberately slow with the computers taking about 3 times longer than it would have, had they been using carrier pidgeons instead!!
Non-Australian visitors seeking a rebate were refused a rebate on what has since been proven to be an incorrect interpretation of the rules. I have the email stating such.
To elaborate:-
Dear XXXX XXXXXXXX
You are correct in that travellers may purchase a number of goods totalling $300 (GST inclusive) from the same store. The tax invoice does not have to contain a single item totalling $300. The goods must have also been purchased within 30 days prior to the travellers departure from Australia.
For TRS purposes, it is a legal requirement that Customs can only accept an invoice for the purchase of goods where the total on the single invoice is $300 (GST inclusive) or more. If travellers present tax invoices at the TRS facility that are less than $300 their claim will be rejected, however, normal procedure is for the traveller to be advised that Customs will review their claim subject to them asking the retailer for an invoice consolidating their purchases onto one tax invoice totalling $300 (GST inclusive) or more.
I will refer your email to the TRS Supervisor at Brisbane Airport with a request to take appropropriate action to ensure that TRS officers do not misinterpet the tax invoice requirement.
Thank you for your concern and taking the time to write to us.
So Ms Snail, my recommendation would be to allow yourself at least 30 minutes prior to BOARDING TIME to complete your claim -if not longer.
Cheers.