Tax deductions for childcare & early educators
As a childcare worker or early educator you can generally claim first-aid training, required checks, resources you buy for the room, and work-related self-education.
Build your checklistEarly-childhood work quietly involves a lot of self-funded resources and compliance costs — most of it claimable with records. 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: August 2026
What you can usually claim
First aid and required checks
First-aid and CPR training, and work-required checks you pay for yourself, such as a Working with Children Check tied to your role.
Room resources and materials
Books, craft supplies, toys and teaching materials you buy for the children out of your own pocket and aren’t reimbursed for.
Self-education and memberships
Early-childhood courses and professional development that build on your current role, plus relevant association fees.
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 commute to your centre.
- Resources the centre provides or reimburses.
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 a Working with Children Check that your centre already reimbursed.
- Claiming toys or resources bought for your own children as room resources for the centre.
Take it further
Your income tax, Medicare levy and take-home pay on any salary.
2Fin for students →Money that still exists in week four
2Fin for employees →Work expenses found, your refund in view
Tax-free threshold →The first $18,200 of income you can earn tax-free.
Marginal tax rate →The tax rate on your next dollar of income.
Childcare & early educators — common questions
Can I claim a Working with Children Check?
A check required for your current role that you pay for yourself is generally deductible; check the treatment of your specific check with the ATO or a tax agent. 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 things I buy for the kids?
Resources and materials you buy for the room yourself and aren’t reimbursed for are generally claimable — keep the receipts. 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 my first-aid and CPR course as an educator?
Generally yes. First-aid and CPR training you pay for yourself, along with work-required checks tied to your role, are typically claimable. If your centre covers or reimburses the cost, there is nothing left for you to claim — so check who paid before claiming, as a reimbursed check is a common mistake on an educator’s return. 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 toys I bought for my own kids?
Generally no. Resources bought for your own children stay private, and claiming them as room resources for the centre is one of the common mistakes on an educator’s return. Books, craft supplies and toys you buy for the room and aren’t reimbursed for are a different matter. 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 an early-childhood course while I’m working?
Generally yes, where the course or professional development builds on your current role. Relevant association fees sit in the same category. Study aimed at moving into a different career is treated differently, so keep the link to the work you already do. 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.
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