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Teachers and Education Professionals — tax deductions you can claim

For teachers, tutors, and early childhood educators employed by a school, TAFE, or education provider. Deductions are limited to costs you paid yourself and weren't reimbursed for, and that directly relate to your current teaching role.

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What you can claim

  • Teaching resources & stationery

    Classroom resources and stationery bought for teaching, where not reimbursed by the school.

  • Excursion and camp costs

    Costs you personally paid for supervising an excursion or camp that weren't reimbursed.

  • Professional development

    Courses and conferences relevant to your current teaching role.

  • Union and professional association fees

    Membership fees for teaching unions and professional bodies.

  • Work-related phone/internet

    The work-related portion of your phone and internet use, based on a diary of actual use.

  • Car travel between schools/campuses

    Travel between different schools or campuses on the same day.

    88c/km up to 5,000km, or logbook method
  • First aid course

    Cost of a first aid course where required for your role.

  • Work bag/laptop case

    A bag or case used to carry school work, marking, and equipment.

  • Home office running costs

    Running costs for marking and lesson planning done at home.

    70c/hour fixed rate
  • Self-education

    Further study directly related to your current teaching area.

Commonly missed deductions

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

  • Classroom decorations and prizes bought personally
  • Laminating pouches and printer ink bought for class use
  • Professional reading — education journals and books related to your curriculum area
  • Working with children check renewal fees
  • Software/app subscriptions used for lesson delivery
  • A portion of a second phone line or data used for parent communication

What you can't claim

  • General clothing or office wear, even if only worn to school

  • Gifts for students

  • Normal home-to-school commuting

  • A working with children check for a role you don't yet have

  • Coffee or morning tea for the staffroom

Records the ATO expects

  • ReceiptReceipts for resources and professional development

  • DiaryWorking-from-home hours diary

  • Diary4-week phone/internet use diary

  • Written evidenceUnion fee statement (usually pre-filled from payment summary)

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.