Tax deductions for aged & disability care workers
As an aged-care or disability support worker you can generally claim uniforms and laundry, first-aid training, travel between clients, and required checks.
Build your checklistCare work spreads across clients and shifts, and the travel and compliance costs are where the claims sit. Here’s what usually counts.
The three rules for any claim
- You paid for it yourself and weren’t reimbursed.
- It directly relates to earning your income.
- You have a record — a receipt, invoice or bank statement.
Checked against ATO guidance: September 2026
What you can usually claim
Uniforms, laundry and protective items
Compulsory or protective clothing, gloves and PPE, plus the cost of laundering work-specific clothing.
Travel between clients
Driving between clients during your shift is generally claimable. The logbook and cents-per-kilometre methods apply only to a car — built to carry under one tonne and fewer than nine passengers — so a heavier van is claimed at actual cost apportioned to work use instead. Home to your first client and last client home usually isn’t claimable either way.
First aid and required checks
First-aid and CPR training, and work-required checks you pay for yourself, such as certain clearances or screening tied to your role.
General information, not personal tax advice. What you can claim depends on your circumstances — check the ATO's own occupation guides or a registered tax agent, and keep records for every claim.
Keep in mind
- Everyday clothing worn to work.
- The trip from home to your first client and back from the last.
- Personal items not required for the work.
Where mistakes happen
The claims most likely to get adjusted — not because they're disallowed outright, but because the split or the timing was off.
- Claiming the trip from home to your first client and home from your last as work travel, rather than as a commute.
- Claiming PPE or supplies that your employer or the client's NDIS plan already funded.
Take it further
Your income tax, Medicare levy and take-home pay on any salary.
2Fin for contractors →Every job costed by the time you’re home
2Fin for employees →Work expenses found, your refund in view
Logbook method (car expenses) →Claim your car’s real business-use share of running costs.
Marginal tax rate →The tax rate on your next dollar of income.
Aged & disability care workers — common questions
Can I claim driving between clients?
Travel between clients during your working day is generally deductible, and the private portion isn’t. Logbook and cents-per-kilometre both apply only to a car — built to carry under one tonne and fewer than nine passengers — so a heavier vehicle is claimed at actual cost apportioned to work use. This is general information, not personal tax advice — what you can claim depends on your circumstances, so check with the ATO or a registered tax agent, and keep records to back up every claim.
Can I claim first-aid training?
First-aid and CPR training required for your role is generally deductible. This is general information, not personal tax advice — what you can claim depends on your circumstances, so check with the ATO or a registered tax agent, and keep records to back up every claim.
Can I claim gloves and PPE as a support worker?
Generally yes, where you pay for them yourself. Compulsory or protective clothing, gloves and PPE are typically claimable, along with the cost of laundering work-specific clothing. PPE or supplies your employer or the client’s NDIS plan already funded are outside the claim. This is general information, not personal tax advice — what you can claim depends on your circumstances, so check with the ATO or a registered tax agent, and keep records to back up every claim.
Can I claim the drive from home to my first client?
Generally no. The trip from home to your first client and home from your last is treated as a commute, and claiming it as work travel is one of the common mistakes on a care worker’s return. Driving between clients during your shift is a different matter and is typically claimable. This is general information, not personal tax advice — what you can claim depends on your circumstances, so check with the ATO or a registered tax agent, and keep records to back up every claim.
Can I claim clearances or screening checks my job requires?
Sometimes. Clearances and screening tied to your role can be claimable when you pay for them yourself, and first-aid or CPR refreshers sit in the same category. If your employer covers or reimburses the cost, there is nothing left for you to claim. This is general information, not personal tax advice — what you can claim depends on your circumstances, so check with the ATO or a registered tax agent, and keep records to back up every claim.
Deductions for other occupations
See all occupations.
Let Fin surface these for you
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