Tax Tips for Social Workers
Tax Tips for Social Workers – Maximise Your Refund
You spend your days helping people through some of life’s toughest challenges. But when it comes to tax time, you deserve a little care too — in the form of a bigger tax refund.
Whether you’re travelling to clients, buying resources, or studying to improve your skills, many of your out-of-pocket expenses can be claimed back on your online tax return. The trick? Knowing what’s deductible, what’s not, and where social workers often trip up.
This guide gives you the lowdown on tax deductions for social workers, the common traps and missed opportunities, plus answers to the top 10 questions your fellow professionals are asking.
Common Tax Deductions for Social Workers
1. Motor Vehicle Expenses
Social workers clock up serious kilometres. You can claim travel between:
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Clients’ homes
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Community centres
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Hospitals
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Multiple workplaces in the same day
Methods to claim:
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Cents per kilometre: Easy option, up to 5,000 km, no receipts required (but keep a diary).
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Logbook: Track 12 weeks to claim work % of fuel, rego, insurance, servicing, depreciation, and even car washes.
Trap to avoid: You can’t claim home-to-work travel. The ATO will shut that down faster than a bad TV rerun.
2. Uniforms and Protective Clothing
You can claim:
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Branded uniforms with your employer’s logo
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Protective gear like aprons, gloves, or non-slip shoes
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Laundry and cleaning costs
Missed opportunity: Everyday black pants or plain shirts? Sorry — not deductible, even if your boss insists on them.
3. Home Office and Admin Costs
Social workers often take paperwork home — case notes, reports, admin. You can claim:
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Power, internet, and cleaning for your work area
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A share of home office equipment like desks or computers
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Stationery and diaries
Trap: No “home office,” no claim. You need a dedicated workspace, not your couch and Netflix.
(For the full breakdown, check our guide: Home Office Tax Deductions)
4. Training and Self-Education
Courses that boost your current skills are deductible. That includes:
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Counselling workshops
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Mental health training
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First aid and crisis response updates
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Travel, meals, and accommodation if overnight
Trap: A psychology degree if you’re currently a case worker? Nope — that qualifies you for a new role, not deductible.
5. Work-Related Phone and Internet
If you use your personal mobile or internet for work calls, rostering apps, or client updates, you can claim a percentage.
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Keep a one-month logbook of work vs personal use
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Claim the work-use portion on your return
6. Other Work-Related Expenses
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Union or membership fees
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Registrations and licences (e.g. Blue Card, Working with Vulnerable People)
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Professional journals or subscriptions
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Donations to registered charities (see our guide here)
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Tax agent fees (yes, your GoTax return is deductible next year)
Common Traps and Missed Opportunities
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Trap: Claiming travel from home to your regular workplace — it’s not deductible.
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Missed Opportunity: Forgetting to claim professional development courses reimbursed partially (you can claim the unreimbursed portion).
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Trap: Everyday clothes like plain shoes or pants — not deductible, no matter what the dress code says.
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Missed Opportunity: Super contributions — add a little extra and claim a deduction to save tax.
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Trap: Not keeping receipts. Without proof, the ATO will laugh you out of the refund queue.
Top 10 Q&As for Social Worker Tax Deductions
Q1: Can I claim fuel if I visit multiple clients in a day?
Yes, if it’s for work travel between clients.
Snippet: Work-related travel between clients is deductible, but home-to-work trips are not.
Q2: Can I claim laundry for my uniform?
Yes, if it’s logoed or occupation-specific.
Snippet: Uniforms with logos or protective clothing are deductible; plain clothes are not.
Q3: Can I claim a psychology degree?
No, if it qualifies you for a new occupation.
Snippet: Only courses maintaining your current skills are deductible.
Q4: What about mental health training workshops?
Yes, if they maintain or improve your skills as a social worker.
Snippet: Job-related training costs are deductible, including travel and materials.
Q5: Can I claim my mobile phone bill?
Partly, based on work use percentage.
Snippet: Work-related calls and apps on your phone are deductible; keep a one-month log.
Q6: Can I claim internet if I write case notes at home?
Yes, for the work-use portion.
Snippet: Internet use for work admin is deductible when tracked with a diary.
Q7: Can I claim a bag for carrying work resources?
Yes, if used exclusively for work items like case files or PPE.
Snippet: Work-only bags are deductible; personal bags are not.
Q8: Are union or membership fees deductible?
Yes, full amount if it relates to your profession.
Snippet: Union and association fees are fully tax deductible for social workers.
Q9: Can I claim donations I made to charities?
Yes, if they’re to registered charities.
Snippet: Verified donations over $2 are deductible — check receipts.
Q10: Can I claim my GoTax tax return fee?
Yes, 100%.
Snippet: Tax agent fees are deductible on your next year’s return.
Related Blogs for Social Workers
Final Tax Tips for Social Workers
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Keep detailed receipts, diaries, and logbooks — future-you will thank you.
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Don’t miss out on deductions just because you weren’t sure.
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Use the GoTax Deduction Grabber App to make it brain-dead easy.
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And the golden rule: If you spent it for work, it wasn’t reimbursed, and you’ve got proof — claim it.
What's next
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