Backpackers’ Tax

‘RSM Australia welcomes the government’s announcement on the changes to the backpacker tax. RSM Australia employees across regional Western Australia have families and friends who need their assistance.

Backpackers add a great deal of diversity to many regional towns. Their backgrounds and experiences both complement and enhance many communities.

RSM Australia works with many regional businesses across Western Australia in both the agriculture and tourism sectors. Many of these businesses rely heavily on backpackers to fill roles at peak times and the loss of those people would have meant a drop in service for many visitors to regional centres. Many hotels, accommodation houses and wineries in holiday hot spots employ backpackers in the busy summer season.

The tax rate of 19% is the first tax rate level levied on resident Australian pay taxpayers after they come out of the tax free threshold. That is, 19% is levied on the next $1 of taxable income over $18,200.

The food products bought in supermarkets across Western Australia may have been picked or packed by a friendly backpacker!’