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Tax deductions · Hairdresser or beauty therapist

If you're a hairdresser or beauty therapist, it pays to know what you can claim.

If you're employed as a hairdresser or beauty therapist, certain work-related costs may be deductible. You can only claim the work-related part of an expense, you must have paid for it yourself without reimbursement, and you need a record to prove it.

ⓘ 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.

Tools and equipment

You may be able to claim

  • ✓The cost of tools and equipment used for work, such as hair cutting and styling tools (work-related portion only).
  • ✓An immediate deduction if an item cost $300 or less, or decline in value over several years if it cost more than $300.
  • ✓Repairing tools and equipment used for work (work-related portion only).

You generally can't claim

  • ✕Tools and equipment supplied by your employer or another person.
  • ✕The private-use portion of any repair cost.

Travel expenses

You may be able to claim

  • ✓Travel expenses such as meals, accommodation, fares and incidentals when you travel away from home overnight for work, such as to attend a conference, seminar, training course or industry promotion.

You generally can't claim

  • ✕Travel paid for or reimbursed by your employer or another person.

Car expenses

You may be able to claim

  • ✓Driving between separate jobs on the same day, such as from a hairdresser job to a second job with another employer.
  • ✓Driving to and from an alternate workplace for the same employer on the same day, such as a different salon.

You generally can't claim

  • ✕Normal trips between home and work, including parking fees and tolls, even if you work outside normal hours such as late-night shopping or weekends.

Clothing expenses and laundry

You may be able to claim

  • ✓Buying, hiring, mending or cleaning uniforms unique and distinctive to your job.
  • ✓Protective clothing your employer requires you to wear, such as face masks and gloves.

You generally can't claim

  • ✕Clothing costs if your employer buys, mends or cleans it for you.
  • ✕Buying or cleaning plain clothing such as black pants, even if you only wear it to work and your employer tells you to.

Self-education expenses

You may be able to claim

  • ✓Self-education that relates directly to your current job, such as advanced colouring, cutting and up-style courses.

You generally can't claim

  • ✕Study only related in a general way or designed to help you get a new job, such as a hairdresser studying to become a make-up artist.

Personal grooming and beauty products

You generally can't claim

  • ✕Hairdressing, cosmetics, hair and skin care products and other beauty products, even if your employer tells you to use them, as these are personal expenses.

Other expenses

You may be able to claim

  • ✓The work-related portion of mobile phone calls.
  • ✓The work-related portion of union and professional association fees.
  • ✓The work-related portion of technical or professional publications.

You generally can't claim

  • ✕Any cost that was met or reimbursed by your employer.
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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.