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Tax deductions · Meat worker

If you're a meat worker, it pays to know what you can claim.

As a meat processing worker, certain work-related costs may be deductible at tax time. You can only claim the work-related portion 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.

Clothing expenses and laundry

You may be able to claim

  • ✓Buying, hiring, mending or cleaning uniforms that are unique and distinctive to your job.
  • ✓Protective clothing your employer requires you to wear, such as overalls, thermals, gloves and protective boots.
  • ✓Laundering occupation-specific clothing or a distinctive uniform.

You generally can't claim

  • ✕Clothing costs if your employer buys, mends or cleans it for you.
  • ✕Buying or cleaning plain clothing worn at work, such as standard jeans or shirts, even if your employer tells you to wear it.

Car expenses

You may be able to claim

  • ✓Driving between separate jobs on the same day, such as from a meat processing 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 between abattoirs or worksites.

You generally can't claim

  • ✕Normal trips between home and work, even if you live far away or work outside normal hours such as weekend or early morning shifts.
  • ✕Carrying knives, steels and protective clothing as your only work items, as these aren't considered bulky.

Tools and equipment

You may be able to claim

  • ✓The cost of tools and equipment used for work, such as knives and sharpening stones (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.

Meals

You may be able to claim

  • ✓A meal bought and eaten during overtime if your employer paid you an overtime meal allowance under an industrial law, award or agreement.

You generally can't claim

  • ✕Meals eaten during a normal working day, as this is a private expense, even if you receive an allowance for it.

Other expenses

You may be able to claim

  • ✓The work-related portion of union and professional association fees.
  • ✓The work-related portion of phone and internet usage if your employer needs you to use your personal devices for work.

You generally can't claim

  • ✕Q fever vaccination, even if your employer requires it.
  • ✕Any expense 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.