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

Car expenses

You may be able to claim

• ✓Driving between separate jobs on the same day, such as from your paramedic job to a second job as a first aid trainer.
• ✓Driving to and from an alternate workplace for the same employer on the same day, such as travelling from your ambulance station to a meeting at head office.

You generally can't claim

• ✕Trips between home and work, even if you live a long way from your usual workplace or work outside normal hours such as weekend or early morning shifts.

Clothing and laundry expenses

You may be able to claim

• ✓The cost of buying, repairing or cleaning (laundering or dry cleaning) your paramedic uniform.

You generally can't claim

• ✕A deduction if your employer pays for or reimburses these expenses.
• ✕The cost of buying or cleaning conventional clothing worn at work, even if you only wear it to work and your employer tells you to, such as a plain shirt you wear before your shift starts.

Travel expenses

You may be able to claim

• ✓Meals, accommodation, fares and incidental costs when you're required to travel away from home overnight in the course of your employment duties.

You generally can't claim

• ✕A deduction if the travel is paid for or reimbursed by your employer or another person; receiving an allowance doesn't automatically entitle you to a deduction, and you must show you were away overnight, paid the money yourself, and the travel related directly to earning your income.

Meal expenses

You may be able to claim

• ✓The cost of a meal you buy and eat when working overtime, if you receive an overtime meal allowance under an industrial law, award or agreement that's included in your assessable income.

You generally can't claim

• ✕The cost of food, drinks or snacks consumed during your normal working day, as these are private, even if you receive an allowance to cover them.

Fitness expenses

You may be able to claim

• ✓Fitness expenses in very limited circumstances, where your role requires a fitness level well above the normal paramedic standard and strenuous physical activity is an essential and regular part of your work, such as specialist rescue operations involving vertical access, white water survival or snowfield work where you're regularly tested on fitness.

You generally can't claim

• ✕Fitness expenses such as gym fees to maintain your general fitness.

Other common deductible expenses

• ✓Phone and internet costs, apportioned for private and work use, with records showing a detailed usage pattern.
• ✓Protective equipment such as sunglasses, sunhats and sunscreen if your duties require prolonged periods outdoors.
• ✓Union and professional association fees.
• ✓Tools and equipment, such as a stethoscope or a pin watch.
• ✓Additional costs to renew a special licence or condition on your licence in order to drive the ambulance vehicle, such as a heavy vehicle permit.