What Aussies Are Doing With Their Tax Refunds

And How Smart Ones Are Turning Them Into Income for 2025/26

Every year in July and August, millions of Australians eagerly check their myGov account, hoping for good news from the ATO.

For many, the annual tax refund has become a mid-year bonus — and it’s often spent just as quickly as it arrives.

Whether it’s a reward for working hard all year or a chance to finally splurge on something exciting, how Aussies use this money says a lot about their financial mindset.

Let’s be honest — getting a few thousand dollars back from the tax office feels good. In 2024, the average tax refund in Australia was around $2,700.

That’s not small change. But what happens next? For most Australians, the answer is predictable.

Where the Tax Refund Really Goes

Retailers know the pattern.

That’s why July and August are filled with EOFY clearance sales and “tax-time specials” on just about everything — electronics, holidays, home improvements, new clothes, and of course, the latest iPhone.

Walk into a JB Hi-Fi or scroll your Instagram feed and you’ll see tempting deals:

• 75-inch smart TVs
• iPhone 15s on interest-free plans
• Getaway packages to Bali or Queensland
• Kitchen renos and new couches

These purchases feel rewarding. And for many households, they’re emotionally justifiable. “We deserve this,” they say. “It’s been a tough year.”

And that’s fair.

But while these choices give a short-term dopamine hit, they don’t leave much to show a few months down the track.

What if, instead of spending a tax refund, you used it?

The Rise of the Smart Spender

There’s a growing number of Australians — especially in their 30s, 40s and 50s — who are taking a different approach.

They’re not just looking for things to buy… they’re looking for ways to grow their income. For them, a tax refund isn’t a windfall. It’s a launchpad.

Here’s what some of them are doing instead:

• Starting a side hustle or online business
• Investing in a trading course or coaching
• Setting up a home office
• Buying second-hand laptops and equipment for a business idea
• Getting mentorship or tools to turn a hobby into cashflow

And they’re doing this not because they have extra money to waste… but because they’re tired of watching every dollar disappear into bills.

They want more control over their income — especially in a cost-of-living crisis.

Why Now?

Think about it: if the government handed you $2,000 or $3,000 in any other setting, and said “Use this to build your future”… would you really rush out to upgrade your TV?

We’re not talking about tens of thousands in startup capital. We’re talking about a manageable sum that could:

• Buy a laptop and website hosting for a business
• Cover a full trading education with coaching support
• Pay for a camera to start a YouTube channel
• Let you learn how to market, sell, and earn from home

It’s not about dreaming. It’s about building something that could pay you again and again… long after your refund is gone.

The Trading Option: A Real Income Path for Everyday Aussies

One area seeing renewed interest in 2025 is forex trading.

With the right education and risk management, everyday Australians are learning how to use global currency markets to create a second income stream — often from a laptop in their living room.

It’s not about get-rich-quick schemes or crypto hype. In fact, the best traders are those who treat it like a skill… something they can grow over time. Just like learning a trade, coding, or photography.

If you’ve ever thought, “I’d love to learn how to trade, but I don’t have the time or the money to get started,” your tax refund may be your answer.

There are trading programs now designed for Aussies who:

• Work full-time or have families
• Can only trade a few times a week
• Want real coaching — not just YouTube videos
• Want a practical path, not unrealistic promises

So… What Will You Do With Your Refund?

If you’ve already spent it, that’s OK.

But if you’ve still got some or you’re expecting it soon, take a moment before the next “Buy Now” ad pops up.

Ask yourself:

Could I use this refund to help improve my income in 2025/26?

Could you learn a new skill, start a side hustle, or build a new stream of income?

The money came from your hard work. Why not let it keep working for you?

Final Thought

TVs get outdated. iPhones crack. Holidays fade into memory.

But knowledge, skills, and income-producing habits? Those can change your future.

So before you tap “Add to Cart” this tax season, maybe ask yourself:

Is this a once-a-year bonus?

Or is it my chance to build something better?

Disclaimer

The information, strategies, techniques and approaches discussed in this article are for general information purposes only.  The Trading Coach International does not necessarily use, promote nor recommend any strategies discussed in this article.  The information in this article may not be suitable for your personal financial circumstances and you should seek independent qualified financial advice before implementing any financial strategy. The Trading Coach International is not a financial advisor and does not have AFS registration.

The choice is yours.