Tax deductions for doctors & medical practitioners
As a doctor you can generally claim your AHPRA registration, medical indemnity insurance, work-related self-education and CPD, and professional equipment.
Build your checklistMedical careers carry a steady set of high-value recurring claims — registration, insurance, and the ongoing education the role demands. 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
Registration and indemnity insurance
Your annual AHPRA registration and medical indemnity insurance are generally deductible — significant, easy-to-forget recurring costs.
Self-education, CPD and memberships
Conferences, courses and continuing professional development that maintain or improve the skills for your current role, plus college and professional association fees, journals and subscriptions.
Equipment and reference materials
A stethoscope, medical instruments, and professional reference materials or apps used in your work.
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
- The cost of your initial qualification to become a doctor.
- Grooming or conventional professional clothing.
- The commute to a regular workplace.
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 HECS-HELP repayments or the cost of your original medical degree as self-education — both stay outside the deduction rules.
- Claiming conventional professional attire as a work expense.
Doctors & medical practitioners — common questions
Can I claim medical indemnity insurance?
Yes — indemnity insurance required to practise is generally deductible, as is your AHPRA registration. 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 conferences and CPD?
Self-education and CPD that maintain or improve the skills in your current role are generally claimable, including fees and related travel. 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 college fees and journal subscriptions?
Generally yes. College and professional association fees, journals and subscriptions that keep your practice current are typically claimable, alongside conferences and CPD that maintain or improve the skills for your current role. These are significant, recurring costs that leave the account quietly each year, which makes them easy to forget at tax time. 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 HECS-HELP repayments or my medical degree?
Generally no. HECS-HELP repayments and the cost of your original medical degree both sit outside the deduction rules, because they came before the income they relate to. Self-education and CPD that build on the role you already hold are treated differently. 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 stethoscope and medical reference apps?
Generally yes. A stethoscope, medical instruments, and professional reference materials or apps used in your work are typically claimable. Keep the receipts, since these sit alongside the larger recurring costs — registration, indemnity insurance and CPD — and are easy to forget when the bigger items take the attention. 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.
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