Quick reference guide
Teacher tax deductions in Australia: what to keep before EOFY
Common receipts teachers should keep during the financial year.
Quick checklist
- Classroom supplies paid personally.
- Professional development, books, and subscriptions.
- Union fees and professional memberships.
- WFH internet or stationery used for lesson preparation.
Likely receipts
Classroom supplies, professional development, union fees, work-related subscriptions, and home internet can all matter if they are connected to earning your income.
The hard part is not knowing the category. It is keeping the evidence from disappearing into personal email, school portals, and bank statements.
Separate school-paid from personally paid
Do not mix reimbursements with your own costs. If the school paid you back, mark it clearly or leave it out of your review pack.
For everything else, keep the receipt, a short note, and the category so the record is explainable months later.
The habit
Do not wait until June. Forward receipts as they arrive so your accountant gets a clean record, not a shoebox.
A tidy export is more valuable than a late-night spreadsheet because it preserves dates, suppliers, amounts, and the original evidence.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Claiming items the school reimbursed or supplied. Reimbursed expenses can't appear in your deduction records.
- Claiming everyday clothing as a 'uniform.' Plain shirts, trousers, or shoes generally don't qualify, even if you only wear them at school.
- Treating commuting between home and school as a work trip. Ordinary travel from home to your regular workplace is not deductible.
- Including self-education that doesn't connect to your current teaching role. Courses for a future career change usually fall outside the rules.
Receipts to search for
Frequently asked questions
Can teachers claim classroom supplies they paid for personally?
Items you purchase out-of-pocket to use at work — pens, exercise books, art materials, prizes, books — may be deductible if they are directly used in earning your income and were not reimbursed. Keep the receipt and a short note describing how it was used. ATO occupation guides for teachers cover this in more detail.
Are union and professional registration fees deductible?
Union fees and most professional memberships connected to your role can generally be claimed if you paid them yourself. Registration renewals issued by your state or territory authority are usually included. Keep the invoice or receipt.
What about a laptop, tablet, or phone used for marking and lesson planning?
Items used partly for work can be claimed for the work-use percentage. Items costing $300 or less and used solely for work are typically claimed in the year of purchase; items above $300 are usually depreciated. Mixed personal/work devices need a reasonable work-use estimate based on hours of use.
Can I claim a whiteboard, desk, or chair I set up at home for marking?
Possibly. Home office equipment used for work-related marking, planning, or online teaching may be deductible (often via decline in value if over $300). Keep the receipt and note how often you use it for work.
Are excursion tickets or school camp costs deductible?
Only the work-related portion of costs you paid yourself and weren't reimbursed for. Pure private travel or food costs are not deductible. Keep an itinerary plus the receipts and let your accountant assess eligibility.
Sources
Last reviewed 29 Apr 2026 by Kalana Vithana. TaxBoy is not a registered tax agent and this article is general information, not tax advice.