Navy, Army and Air Force work comes with expenses many people miss at tax time. Here's a plain-English guide to the deductions Australian Defence Force members may be able to claim — and the records you'll need to back them up.
Every situation is different, but these are the categories that most commonly apply to Australian Defence Force members. Whether a specific expense is deductible depends on your role and circumstances.
Buying and laundering compulsory ADF uniforms and clothing with a permanent service insignia, plus protective items such as boots, wet-weather and safety gear.
Courses, formal education and training that directly relate to your current defence role and maintain or improve the skills you use to earn your income.
Travel directly between two workplaces, travel for courses, or travel required as part of your duties. Keep a logbook or diary — normal home-to-work travel is generally not deductible.
Work-related tools and equipment you pay for yourself. Items over the instant write-off threshold are claimed as depreciation over time.
The work-related portion of your mobile phone and home internet, where you use them for work and can show how you worked out the percentage.
Fees for unions, professional associations and relevant memberships connected to your defence employment.
Premiums for income protection insurance (where the payout would be assessable income) are generally deductible — but not life or trauma cover.
The cost of managing your tax affairs, including fees you pay to a registered tax agent like DefenceTax, is deductible in the following year.
These commonly come up but usually aren't deductible for defence members:
ADF members may be able to claim work-related expenses such as compulsory uniforms and their laundry, protective equipment, self-education directly related to your current role, some work-related travel, union or association fees, the work portion of phone and internet, and income protection insurance. To claim, you must have paid for it yourself, it must relate to earning your income, and you must have a record.
You can generally claim the cost of buying and cleaning compulsory ADF uniforms and items with a permanent service insignia, plus protective clothing. Conventional or plain clothing you could wear outside of work is not deductible.
For most ADF members, general fitness and gym costs are private and not deductible, even where you must maintain a fitness standard. A narrow exception can apply to a small number of roles where strenuous physical activity is an essential and regular part of the job (for example certain special forces roles). Check your specific situation with us.
Travel directly between two separate workplaces, or travel required as part of your duties, may be deductible. Normal home-to-work travel generally is not, even for irregular hours. Records such as a logbook or diary are important.
Yes. Keep receipts, invoices and a diary of work-related use. Without records the ATO can disallow a claim. We can tell you exactly what to keep for your circumstances.
Let a specialist who works with defence members every day check your return before you lodge — so you claim correctly and don't leave money on the table.