Expense tracking and tax, sorted for sole traders

If you sell online you can generally claim the cost of your stock, platform and payment fees, packaging and postage — and the point where a hobby becomes a business is what decides whether you declare the income at all.

As a tradie you can generally claim the tools, protective gear, and work-related vehicle travel you pay for yourself — the things you buy to actually do the job.

As a cleaner you can generally claim the supplies and equipment you buy, protective clothing, and the cost of driving between clients during the day.

As a rideshare or delivery driver you can generally claim the work portion of your car running costs, your phone and data, and app or platform fees.

As a truck driver you can generally claim meal costs on eligible overnight trips, your work gear and protective clothing, and licence and union fees.

As a fitness instructor or personal trainer you can generally claim equipment you buy, music and programming subscriptions, first-aid and certification costs, and travel between clients or venues.

As a hairdresser or beauty therapist you can generally claim the scissors and tools you buy, products used in your work, and self-education that builds your skills.

As a real estate agent you can generally claim work-related car travel, marketing costs you fund yourself, your phone, and licence and training costs.

As a mechanic you can generally claim the tools and equipment you buy, protective clothing and its laundering, and licences or training tied to your current work.

Cabin crew returns turn on two things most occupations never meet: an allowance that may not cover what a layover actually costs, and grooming rules that feel compulsory but are mostly not deductible.

Bus and coach work splits sharply at the depot gate: a regular route rarely produces travel or meal claims, while overnight charter work can produce quite a few.