AUSTRALIA · TAX RETURNS · CHECKED 19 OCTOBER 2026
Tax deductions for disability support and aged-care workers
Check travel between clients, work calls and training tied to your current care duties. Keep a journey record distinguishing client visits from private driving and your ordinary commute.
Expenses to check for your work
Uniforms and protective clothing
Compulsory distinctive uniforms, registered optional uniforms, occupation-specific clothing or protection against a real work hazard. Ordinary black trousers, everyday shoes and office clothes do not qualify just because work requires them.
Read the official guidanceWashing eligible work clothing
Only washing, drying or cleaning clothing that itself qualifies. Keep a calculation of your actual eligible loads or cleaning bills; there is no automatic $150 claim.
Read the official guidanceTravel while doing your job
Travel between workplaces or clients may qualify. Your ordinary journey from home to work normally does not. Car claims need the correct method and records; do not add petrol on top of a cents-per-kilometre claim.
Read the official guidanceWork phone and internet
Use bills and a reasonable work/private usage record. Include only work use and avoid claiming costs already included in a working-from-home fixed-rate claim.
Read the official guidanceTraining for your current work
Training must maintain or improve skills used in your existing work, or be sufficiently connected to increasing income in it. Study that qualifies you for a new occupation is generally excluded.
Read the official guidanceUnion and professional fees
Eligible annual union or professional membership costs connected with your current work. Enter the amount you paid, excluding reimbursement.
Read the official guidanceWhat to leave out
A client outing does not automatically make your own meals or entertainment deductible. Expenses paid back by the employer cannot be claimed again.
Keep the evidence with your calculation
Keep invoices and a note of the work purpose. Where an item also has private use, record how you calculated the work share. Do not duplicate an expense between jobs or include costs paid back to you.
Official guidance for these claims