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Tax deductions · Engineer

If you're an engineer, it pays to know what you can claim.

As an engineer, certain work-related costs are deductible at tax time. Here's a plain-English guide to what generally counts and what doesn't.

ⓘ General information only — not personal advice. See full disclaimer below.

Before you claim — the three rules

01
You must have spent the money yourself and weren't reimbursed.
02
The expense must directly relate to earning your income.
03
You must have a record — usually a receipt — to prove it.

You can only claim the work-related portion of an expense, not any part that relates to private use.

Car expenses

You may be able to claim

  • ✓The cost of driving between two separate jobs on the same day.
  • ✓The cost of travelling to an alternate workplace for the same employer on the same day, such as office to a job site.
  • ✓Trips between home and work in limited cases where you carry bulky tools or equipment that are essential, awkward to transport, and have no secure storage at work.

You generally can't claim

  • ✕Normal trips between home and work, even if you live far away or work outside normal hours.

Clothing, footwear and laundry expenses

You may be able to claim

  • ✓Buying, hiring, repairing, replacing or cleaning protective clothing, compulsory uniforms, or non-compulsory uniforms registered with AusIndustry.
  • ✓Protective clothing and footwear that guards against injury or illness from your work, such as gloves and protective boots.

You generally can't claim

  • ✕Buying or cleaning conventional clothing or plain uniforms, even if required by your employer.
  • ✕Clothing and laundry costs if your employer supplies and launders the clothing.

Self-education and study expenses

You may be able to claim

  • ✓Self-education and study that directly relates to your current engineering job and maintains or improves your skills or is likely to increase your income.

You generally can't claim

  • ✕Study that only relates generally to your job or is designed to help you get a new job.

Meal expenses

You may be able to claim

  • ✓The cost of a meal eaten while working overtime, if you receive an overtime meal allowance under an industrial law, award or agreement that is included in your income.

You generally can't claim

  • ✕Food, drink or snacks consumed during a normal working day, even if you receive an allowance, as these are private.

Home office expenses

You may be able to claim

  • ✓The work-related portion of running expenses when working from home, including decline in value of equipment, internet, and electricity for heating, cooling and lighting, claimed at a fixed rate per hour or by actual costs.

You generally can't claim

  • ✕Occupancy expenses such as rates, mortgage interest, rent and insurance.
  • ✕Running costs that are not additional as a result of working from home.

Other expenses

You may be able to claim

  • ✓Parking fees and tolls where car expense conditions are met.
  • ✓Transport or car expenses covered by an award transport payment where you actually spent the money on deductible work-related travel.
  • ✓Union and professional association fees.
  • ✓Phone and internet costs, apportioned for work and private use, with records of usage.
  • ✓Renewal of work-related licences, permits, certificates or white cards.
  • ✓Technical or professional publications.

You generally can't claim

  • ✕Any cost that was met or reimbursed by your employer.
  • ✕The initial cost of getting a licence, permit, card or certificate to gain employment.
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Last updated 19 June 2026

General information only — not personal tax advice.This guide is based on the Australian Taxation Office's (ATO) occupation and industry specific guidance and is provided by BelairTax as general information only. It is current as at 19 June 2026 and may change as tax laws, ATO positions and individual circumstances change. It does not take into account your particular objectives, financial situation or needs, and it is not personal tax, financial or legal advice. Whether you can claim a deduction depends on your specific circumstances — generally you must have spent the money yourself and not been reimbursed, the expense must directly relate to earning your income, and you must keep a record (usually a receipt) to prove it. Before acting on any information in this guide, you should obtain personal advice from a registered tax agent that is tailored to your individual situation. BelairTax (Registered Tax Agent, TPB Registration No. 75855001) accepts no liability for any loss arising from reliance on this general information. To discuss your circumstances, contact us on (08) 9295 0807 or at office@belairtax.com.au.

Based on Australian Taxation Office material. © Australian Taxation Office for the Commonwealth of Australia. Licensed under CC BY 3.0 AU. This material has been adapted from the original.