For chefs, cooks, bartenders, and other hospitality staff. Knives and compulsory chef whites are the standout claims for kitchen staff.
Chef's knives
Knives bought and used for your role.
Non-slip kitchen shoes
Protective footwear for kitchen work.
Compulsory uniform
Chef whites or compulsory uniform, and its laundering.
RSA certificate
Cost of obtaining and renewing an RSA certificate.
Food safety/first aid certificates
Where required for the role.
Car travel between venues
Travel between venues on the same day for multi-site roles.
People in this occupation often forget to claim these — check they apply to you.
Plain black pants/shirts with no logo — treated as conventional clothing
Meals/snacks during a normal shift
Grooming
Home-to-work travel
Receipt — Receipts for knives/tools
Invoice — RSA/certificate renewal invoices
Diary — Laundry log
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.