Adobe, maker of software including PhotoShop, Illustrator and After Effects, is about to add GST to the prices it charges Australian customers for its products, in effect raising the cost to users by 10 per cent.
The company has long-since moved from a one-off licence model, in which users pay a large fee to purchase a licence and then use the software indefinitely, to a subscription model under its "Creative Cloud" suite.
![Some of the apps offered in the Adobe Creative Cloud, which is about to get 10 per cent more expensive.](/web/20161112165429im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/k/d/m/5/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gskbcz.png/1478576295103.jpg)
While the subscription has the benefit of not requiring a big upfront investment and making sure all users have access to the latest software at all times, it also means current users have to keep paying month to month if they want to maintain access to the suite.
In an email sent to current subscribers, seen by Fairfax Media, Adobe outlines upcoming changes to its prices:
"Thank you for being a valued Adobe customer. We wanted to share an important change to the tax you currently pay on your Adobe products and services," it said.
"Starting December 1, 2016, Adobe will begin to charge 10 per cent GST on all goods and services to our customers in Australia. Your next bill, on or after this date, will reflect the new tax rate. Note that this change does not affect the base price of your Adobe products."
Though this will have an impact for those spending money on Creative Cloud for Teams, Adobe's marketing software solutions, and various other products, the biggest impact for individual consumers will be felt by those currently paying monthly or yearly access fees for Creative Cloud.
Below are the current, non-GST monthly prices for individuals. Note that the photography and "all apps" plans can be less expensive if you pay for a year upfront, and more expensive if you pay month-to-month. The "single app" plan is always month-to-month.
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20161112165429im_/http://www.smh.com.au/cqstatic/gskctx/adobe2.jpg)
The monthly payment on an annual photography plan will jump to $13.18 with GST added. Access to a single full piece of software via Creative Cloud will be $25.28 with GST, and the whole suite (not including stock images) will move to $63.78.
In September, it was revealed the federal government would soon be able to block retailers doing business in Australia if they did not collect GST.
The rules, coming into effect in July next year, would force any overseas business with an Australian turnover of $75,000 or more a year to collect the tax. Those that don't comply would be warned first, and then have their websites blocked.
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