Educators What You Can Claim At Tax Time

Educators can maximise tax deductions by claiming classroom supplies, training, union fees, and home office costs this financial year.

Common Deductible Expenses for Educators

Teaching resources: Textbooks, workbooks, stationery used for professional teaching purposes (typically $100–$500/year).
Classroom supplies: Art materials, display items purchased out-of-pocket and not reimbursed ($50–$300/year).
Professional development: Courses, conferences, and workshops directly connected to your current teaching role ($200–$2,000).
Teacher registration fees: State-based registration (e.g., VIT, NESA, QCT), usually $100–$200/year.
Union fees: AEU, IEU, or other union memberships ($300–$700/year).
Technology: Laptop/tablet depreciation based on work use (often 60–80% claimable, $150–$600/year).
Working from home: Fixed rate of 67c/hour for lesson planning, marking, and reporting.
Internet and phone: Work-related portion only, supported by a diary (Internet $100–$400; phone $50–$200).
Subscriptions: Educational journals, teaching platforms ($50–$300).
Excursion or camp costs: Out-of-pocket expenses not reimbursed ($50–$300).
Home office equipment: Desk, chair, or equipment used for teaching work (work-use percentage claimable; items under $300 deductible immediately).

Expenses You Cannot Claim

General clothing: Everyday professional attire, even if required by the school.
Gifts for students: Presents, prizes, or personal items.
Private expenses: Anything not directly tied to earning income (e.g., Netflix subscriptions, personal travel).

Keep receipts, invoices, and diaries for all deductible expenses.
For home office, phone, and internet claims, maintain a 4-week diary to establish work-use percentages.
If you receive an allowance (e.g., for travel or meals), you must include it as income if you claim deductions against it.

The ATO closely monitors teacher claims, especially for classroom resources and home office expenses.
Over-claiming or including private/gift expenses can trigger audits.
Always ensure deductions are directly related to your teaching duties.

The key rule is that the expense must directly relate to earning your income as a teacher, not personal or gift expenses.

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