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Engineers — tax deductions you can claim

For civil, mechanical, electrical, and structural engineers employed by a firm. Professional body membership, chartered status, and site PPE are the main claim categories.

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What you can claim

  • Professional body membership

    Engineers Australia membership and CPD points training.

  • Technical software and standards

    Technical software licences and reference standards subscriptions used for your current role.

  • PPE for site visits

    Hi-vis, hard hat, and steel-cap boots.

  • Car travel between sites/offices

    Travel between sites or offices for work.

  • Home office running costs

    Running costs for design/reporting work done at home.

    70c/hour fixed rate

Commonly missed deductions

People in this occupation often forget to claim these — check they apply to you.

  • Chartered status (CPEng) application/renewal fees
  • Technical textbooks/codes and standards purchases
  • Small site-visit equipment (measuring tools, torches)
  • Software subscriptions (CAD, modelling tools) not reimbursed by employer

What you can't claim

  • General business attire

  • A laptop the employer already provides for the same purpose

  • Home-to-office commuting

  • Further study to move into an unrelated engineering discipline with no connection to current duties

Records the ATO expects

  • ReceiptMembership/CPD receipts

  • InvoiceSoftware subscription invoices

  • ReceiptPPE receipts

  • DiaryWorking-from-home diary

General information only, not tax advice — content last reviewed 01/07/2026 against ATO guidance for FY2025-26. Whether a specific expense is deductible depends on your individual circumstances; confirm with a registered tax agent or the ATO before lodging.

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