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Tax time can feel like just another thing to organise, especially when you’re juggling shift work, demanding roles and often working across multiple locations.
For nurses and healthcare workers, there are specific deductions available, but understanding what you can (and can’t) claim is essential to getting it right.
To claim a work-related expense, you must:
Have paid for it yourself, meaning your work did not pay for you
Not have been reimbursed, for example through a scholarship
Ensure it directly relates to earning your income
Have a record (like a receipt)
What you can claim
Uniforms & Laundry
Compulsory uniform (scrubs)
Protective clothing (non-slip shoes, PPE)
Laundry and dry-cleaning costs
Important: You can’t claim everyday clothing, even if you only wear it to work.
Registration, Union and Professional Fees
Annual registration renewals (AHPRA)
Union fees (ANMF)
Professional memberships (Australian College of Nursing, Australian College of Midwives)
These are only claimable when directly related to your work.
CPD Training and Education
You can claim education expenses if they:
Maintain or improve your current skills
Are directly related to your role
Are paid for by you
This can include courses, workshops, conferences.
You can’t claim training if your organisation/employer paid for you to attend or if it leads to a new career or different role.
Travel Between Workplaces
You may be able to claim:
Travel between different work locations
Travel between jobs on the same day
Parking and tolls
You can’t claim travel from home to your usual workplace.
Equipment & Work-Related Expenses
Depending on your role, you may be able to claim:
Medical equipment (stethoscopes, nurse watches)
Work-related phone or internet usage
Stationery, diaries, and professional resources
If items are used for both work and personal use, only the work-related portion is claimable.
Other Deductions
Many healthcare workers forget about:
Professional journals and subscriptions (BMJ or Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing)
Agency fees
First aid training (if required for your role and you paid for this)
Home office use (admin, rostering if related to your role)
What you can't claim
The Australian Taxation Office is very clear, you generally cannot claim:
Everyday clothing or standard shoes
Travel from home to work
Childcare costs
Grooming costs (hair, makeup, skincare)
Courses unrelated to your current role
Salary Packaging: A Major Benefit for Healthcare Workers
Salary Packaging: A Major Benefit for Healthcare Workers
Many nurses and healthcare workers are eligible for salary packaging, particularly if you work for a public hospital or not-for-profit organisations.
This allows you to pay for certain expenses using pre-tax income, which can reduce your taxable income.
Common Salary Packaging Benefits
Depending on your employer, you may be able to package:
Rent or mortgage repayments
Credit card repayments
Everyday living expenses
Meal entertainment (restaurants, takeaway)
For many healthcare workers, this can mean thousands of dollars in tax savings each year.
Remember
Remember
Salary packaged expenses cannot also be claimed as tax deductions
There are annual caps (often up to $9,010 for not-for-profits, but varies by employer)
It’s important to ensure your packaging is set up correctly to maximise benefits
Tax deductions don’t give you the full amount back, they reduce your taxable income.
Many healthcare workers are surprised by how much they can claim once all eligible deductions are properly identified.
Every situation is different and this is why an individual approach can make a significant difference to your tax return.
Example:
A nurse who regularly works across multiple sites, maintains CPD and incurs uniform and equipment costs, may be able to claim a range of deductions, but the exact amount depends on their individual circumstances.
At DS Financial Partners, we often see healthcare workers either under-claiming or unsure what they are actually entitled to.
We help ensure that you claim everything you’re eligible for, that it’s compliant with ATO requirements and we make sure you avoid missed opportunities or costly mistakes.
If you are a nurse, midwife, or healthcare worker, now is the time to get organised.
Reach out to DS Financial Partners to make tax time simple, accurate and stress-free.
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