25 deductions that could boost your tax refund

Tax time is almost here, and many Australians could be missing out on hundreds of dollars in legitimate tax deductions.

From sunscreen and sunglasses to handbags, conferences and overtime meals, some work-related expenses can be surprisingly easy to overlook.

Whether you're a tradie, teacher, healthcare worker, retailer or office worker, knowing what you can and can't claim could make a meaningful difference to your tax refund this year.

Here are some of the tax deductions available for five professions, plus the records you'll need to support your claim.

Tax deductions tradies can claim in 2026

Tools worth more than $300: You can claim the cost of any tools or other work-related equipment that you're required to buy for your job. You can claim an immediate deduction for tools costing up to $300. Anything more expensive than that generally needs to be depreciated over the life of the asset.

Tool insurance and finance costs: You can claim a tax deduction for the cost of insuring tools and interest charged on finance taken out to buy tools and equipment.

Uniforms: You may be able to deduct expenses for buying and maintaining your uniform if you're required to wear one and it has your employer's logo on it. Ordinary clothing, such as a plain khaki shirt that could be worn outside work, is generally not deductible. A shirt bearing your employer's branding may qualify.

Protective clothing and sunscreen: The cost of protective items such as helmets, ear muffs, safety goggles, sunglasses, sun hats and sunscreen can also be claimed.

Trade union fees: Trade union fees can be deducted.

Licences and registrations: The cost of renewing professional licences, registrations and subscriptions is generally claimable.

Self-education: The cost of self-education courses run by a university or TAFE, such as an apprenticeship course, may be deductible if the course relates directly to your current job.

Overtime meal expenses: You may be able to claim overtime meal expenses up to the amount actually spent where you have received a genuine overtime meal allowance under an industrial law, award or agreement.

What other professions can claim on tax

Healthcare worker tax deductions you may be missing

Uniforms: If you're required to wear a uniform as part of your role, the cost may be deductible.

Protective clothing: You may also be able to claim clothing used to protect your ordinary clothes from damage or soiling, such as laboratory coats and aprons. Protective footwear such as non-slip shoes may also qualify.

Conferences: Conference expenses may be deductible. This can include registration costs, travel, meals and accommodation. If part of the trip is private, you'll need to apportion the expenses accordingly.

Professional memberships: Professional subscriptions, whether paid to a professional body such as the AMA or to a trade union, may be deductible.

Overtime meals: If you're required to work overtime and receive an overtime meal allowance, you may be able to claim the cost of meals.

Agency fees: If you obtain work through an agency, those agency costs may be claimable.

Car expenses: Many healthcare workers use their own vehicle for work purposes. Travel between medical facilities, transporting patients or travelling between patients' homes may be claimable.

Tax claims retail workers should know about

Uniforms: If you're required to wear a uniform at work, the cost may be deductible. Conventional clothing isn't deductible, even if you're required to wear items sold by the retailer you work for.

Training and courses: You may be able to claim the cost of work-related training, including first aid, workplace health and safety courses, management training and relevant retail qualifications.

Travel between stores: Travel from one work location to another may be deductible, including trips between stores and temporary work assignments at other locations.

Tax deductions for office, admin and professional workers

Handbags and briefcases: The cost of a handbag or briefcase may be claimable if it's used for work purposes, such as carrying paperwork or a laptop.

Work clothing: Occupation-specific clothing such as barristers' robes may qualify. Conventional clothing worn at work, including suits and business attire, isn't generally deductible.

Practising certificates: Annual practising certificates and similar professional registrations may be deductible.

Working from home: If you work from home, you may be able to claim a proportion of your home running costs using either actual expenses or the ATO's fixed-rate method.

Work travel: If you travel as part of your job, such as visiting clients or suppliers, you may be able to claim eligible travel expenses. Parking, tolls and public transport costs may also be deductible in some cases.

Client entertainment: The cost of entertaining clients generally isn't tax deductible.

Club memberships: Membership fees for social, sporting or recreational clubs generally can't be claimed, even if networking is involved.

Professional indemnity insurance: Professional indemnity insurance premiums may be deductible.

Teacher tax deductions and work expenses you can claim

Registration fees: Annual teacher registration fees are generally deductible.

Reference books and professional libraries: The cost of reference books and professional resources related to your teaching area may be claimable.

Classroom supplies: Stationery, art materials, stopwatches and computer consumables such as printer ink and toner cartridges can generally be claimed.

Laptops, tablets and phones: Computers, laptops, tablets, mobile phones and printers used for work may be deductible. Higher-cost items may need to be depreciated over time.

Teaching aids: Many teaching aids and classroom resources may qualify as work-related expenses.

Professional development: Conferences, training and professional development courses related to your teaching duties may be claimable, along with associated costs such as textbooks and travel.

Working from home: If you prepare lessons, mark homework or perform other duties at home, you may be able to claim eligible home office expenses.

School excursions: If you pay for excursions, camps or sporting trips out of your own pocket and aren't reimbursed, those costs may be deductible.

Why you need to keep receipts for tax time

Keep records. It doesn't matter what you've spent, if you can't prove that you spent it, you can't claim it. So, gather together all those receipts and invoices. If you've lost a receipt, try to get a copy from the retailer.

If that fails, a bank or credit card statement might do if you can clearly identify the item.

Don't try to claim if you don't have the paperwork. You're leaving yourself open to an ATO review. The best way to ensure your return is correct and that you're maximising the deductions you're entitled to is to visit a tax agent.

Best of all, if you get a tax agent to help you lodge your return, the cost is itself tax deductible.

The bottom line

Missing even a few legitimate deductions could mean leaving money on the table at tax time.

Before lodging your return, review the work-related expenses that apply to your occupation, gather your records and ensure any claims meet ATO requirements.

If you're unsure, a registered tax agent can help identify deductions you may have overlooked and ensure your return is compliant.

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