Joe Hockey's GST jet-set: Take-off delayed for tax officials in public service

Treasurer Joe Hockey's plans to collect GST on online purchases has thousands of Tax Office public servants daring to dream of joining his regiment of globe-trotting tax inspectors.

The announcement that hundreds of Australian tax officials could soon be travelling the world, convincing international online retailers to collect the goods and services tax, has raised hopes of a jet-set public service lifestyle for those lucky enough to make the grade.

It was a rare glimpse of good news for the ATO's 18,000-strong workforce which has had little to smile about in recent years, facing massive job losses, stagnating pay and tougher working conditions.

Trouble is, the ATO's bosses sound as surprised about Mr Hockey's plan as they were in 2014 when the federal government told them to send hundreds of their public servants to the regional NSW town of Gosford.

 The Office's response to requests for details on the initiative indicates that its public servants might have time to polish up their CVs and renew their passports.

The Treasurer seemed to have the whole thing figured out on Friday when he outlined his plans for the GST to be paid on overseas online purchases worth more than $100.

"We are going to have taxation officials travel around the world visiting these companies asking them to register for GST purposes," Mr Hockey said.

"There could be hundreds of them.

"However what we are able to do is to narrow down the number of high-volume goods vendors."

But a response from the ATO's media unit to questions about the new jet-setting GST collectors indicated Tax had been caught unawares by the Treasurer's enthusiasm.

The spokeswoman battled on however, insisting that plans were being put in place even though the legislation had not been drafted and consultations with the states and territories were still underway.

"Federal, state and territory governments are still consulting on this measure before Treasury drafts legislation," the ATO spokeswoman said.

"We will need to consider the final legislation, but are planning for the announced changes. "We will consult with business and government and other countries through the OECD to implement the measure in the most cost effective and efficient way."