Different jobs come with different expenses
A paramedic, real estate agent, truck driver, teacher or office professional will each have different work costs to review at tax time. A general list of deductions is rarely enough.
Instead of asking only “what can I claim?”, ask: what work-related expenses are common for my occupation — and do I have the records to support them? The goal is not to claim everything, but to identify legitimate deductions and keep the right documents.
Download your occupation guide
Select the guide that best matches the work you actually do, not only your job title.
Common deduction categories
Not every work expense is automatically deductible. A deduction usually needs to be connected to earning your income, not reimbursed, and supported by records.
Uniforms & Protective Clothing
Occupation-specific uniforms, protective gear and eligible laundry — not ordinary clothing.
Tools & Equipment
Tools, safety equipment and job-specific devices used directly for work.
Vehicle & Travel
Travel between work locations or as part of your duties, supported by a logbook or diary.
Training & Education
Courses directly connected to your current role and the skills you use at work.
Home Office, Phone & Internet
The work-use portion, with bills or a reasonable calculation method.
Subscriptions, Union & Licences
Memberships, registrations and licences needed for your current role.
Find deductions by industry
Start with the expenses that are most common in your line of work.
Health, Emergency & Protective
Uniforms, protective clothing, training, registration and union fees.
Transport & Mobile Workers
Travel records, meal allowances, licences, logbooks and equipment.
Hospitality, Retail & Service
Compulsory uniforms, laundry, training and small work items.
Trades & Industrial
Tools, safety gear, licences, equipment repairs and union fees.
Office & Professional
Home office, phone, internet, memberships, software and seminars.
Property & Sales
Vehicle use between locations, phone, registration and marketing costs.
Before you lodge
Follow these steps to prepare your return with confidence.
Employees vs contractors
This guide focuses on employees. Contractors, consultants, freelancers and business owners usually need different guidance, as their position may involve business income, GST, payroll and bookkeeping. If that's you, speak with us about small business tax support.
Which deductions should I check first?
Truck driver?
Travel, licences and logbooks
Paramedic or nurse?
Uniforms, protective gear and training
Consultant or office worker?
Home office, phone, software and subscriptions
Tradesperson or labourer?
Tools, safety gear and licences
Real estate agent?
Vehicle, phone and registration
Frequently asked questions
Topics that relate to specific jobs or industries, helping workers understand the income, allowances and work-related expenses that may apply to them.
Potentially uniforms, protective clothing, tools, training, subscriptions, work phone use, home office costs and vehicle use — depending on your job, the reason for the expense and your records.
Some smaller claims may not need full written evidence, but you still need to show the connection to work and how you calculated the amount. Keeping records is always safer.
Normal travel between home and your regular workplace is usually not deductible. Travel between worksites or for work duties may be — keep records.
Yes. Employees, contractors, freelancers and business owners have different rules, records and categories.
Yes, especially for vehicle, travel, allowances, home office, mixed-use items or unclear records.
The information on this page is general in nature and does not consider your personal objectives, financial circumstances or individual tax position. Tax laws, superannuation rules and lending conditions can change. Obtain advice from a qualified adviser before making decisions about tax planning, property investment, SMSFs, business structures, refinancing, asset protection or retirement planning.