Tax deductions for nurses & midwives
As a nurse or midwife you can generally claim your uniforms and laundry, professional registration and memberships, and work-related self-education.
Nursing carries a steady set of recurring claims — registration, uniforms, and ongoing education that keeps your practice current. 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
Uniforms, shoes and laundry
Compulsory uniforms and protective footwear, plus non-slip shoes and the cost of laundering work-specific clothing. Everyday clothes worn under scrubs aren’t claimable.
Registration and memberships
Your annual AHPRA registration and professional association or union fees are generally deductible — a recurring, easy-to-forget claim.
Self-education and training
Courses, conferences and CPD that maintain or improve the skills you use in your current role, including course fees, materials and related travel.
Equipment and reference materials
A fob watch, stethoscope, nursing scissors and professional reference materials or subscriptions used for 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
- Plain clothing or ordinary shoes worn to work.
- Self-education for a new career (rather than your current role).
- Grooming, haircuts or make-up.
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 everyday shoes as part of a uniform — only non-slip or genuinely compulsory footwear qualifies, not ordinary shoes you also wear outside work.
- Claiming study aimed at a different specialty or career as self-education for your current role.
Take it further
Nurses & midwives — common questions
Can I claim my AHPRA registration?
Yes — your annual professional registration to practise is generally deductible, as are relevant professional or union memberships. 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 nursing course fees?
Self-education that maintains or improves the skills for your current role is generally claimable. Study to move into a different career usually isn’t. The distinction matters, so check your case. 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.
What about travel between hospitals for agency shifts?
Travel between separate workplaces on the same day is generally claimable; your normal commute to a single workplace isn’t. 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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