If you've spent your own money to earn your income, there’s a good chance you can claim it as a tax deduction provided it directly relates to your work and wasn’t reimbursed by your employer.

Are claimable if you're using your car for work-related trips going from one work site to another, such as visiting different job sites or attending off-site meetings. You can use either the cents-per-kilometre method (up to 5,000 km) or the logbook method, which allows you to claim a percentage of actual vehicle costs.

Are deductible for those working from home. You can use the fixed rate method (70c/hour, which includes electricity, internet, phone, and stationery) or the actual cost method. Be careful if you use the fixed rate method, you can’t separately claim phone or internet expenses.

Can only be claimed separately from the work from home fixed rate method if you're using the actual cost method. You’ll need to keep a 4-week usage diary to determine the work-related portion.

Used directly for your job are deductible. Items under $300 can be claimed in full in the year of purchase, while those over $300 must be depreciated over their effective life.

Are deductible if they include a logo or are safety-related (e.g. steel cap boots, hi-vis gear). 

You can also claim laundry costs upto $150 annually without providing evidence of laundry expenses. 

If you work in the sun, you can also claim items such as sunglasses and sunscreen to protect from the sun.

Are fully deductible if they relate to your current profession. This includes memberships to bodies such as the Law Society, or similar industry bodies.

Can be claimed if the course directly improves your current job skills. This includes fees, textbooks, internet, and travel to attend classes.

If you travel between work and study, that travel is also claimable.

Related to your profession are also claimable. You can deduct entry fees, travel, accommodation, and meals if required to stay overnight.

Journals, trade subscriptions, and apps are deductible if they are relevant to your role or profession, such as legal journals, financial subscriptions, or business-related apps.

If you purchase a work-related asset that costs $300 or less, you can claim the full amount in the year you bought it. If the cost is more than $300, you must depreciate it over its effective life. 

This is an area we find most people miss out on and get wrong. Because that laptop you got for work a year ago could still help you in this year's tax return. Therefore, it is best to speak to a good accountant about how you can depreciate your work assets to give you the maximum refund.

Examples include:

Work & office equipment like laptops, tablets, phones, printers, ergonomic chairs, job-specific tools, or camera gear used for work. If you use this equipment regularly for your job and it cost more than $300, you’ll need to claim it over several years.

Home office assets including desks, office chairs, modems, routers, computer hardware, and even portable air conditioning units can be depreciated, provided they are primarily used for work.

Vehicles used for work purposes (such as cars, utes, or motorbikes) can be depreciated if you use the logbook method. You must track work-related use for at least 12 weeks and keep all relevant receipts.

Tax agent and accounting fees from the previous financial year are deductible. This includes the cost of preparing your return or receiving tax advice.

Interest on investment loans is deductible if the loan was used to purchase income-producing assets like shares, managed funds, or investment property. Note: the principal is not deductible—only the interest.

Income protection insurance is fully deductible if it’s held outside of super and covers loss of income.

Donations of $2 or more to registered Deductible Gift Recipients (DGRs) are claimable. Just ensure you have a valid receipt and that no benefit was received in return.

Bank fees and investment account charges are deductible if the accounts are used to generate income, such as interest or dividends.

Dividend and share management fees, such as subscriptions to portfolio tracking software or brokerage account admin costs, can be claimed as long as they relate to producing investment income.

Boosting your super before 30 June can also give you a personal tax deduction.

Personal concessional contributions are deductible up to the cap of $30,000 for 2025 year (including employer contributions). To claim the deduction, the contribution must clear your super fund by 30 June.

You must also lodge a Notice of Intent to Claim with your fund and receive confirmation before you lodge your tax return.

A lot of the Superannuation Funds have in house Financial Advisors who can assist for free.