Tax Tips for Teachers
Tax Tips for Teachers – Maximise Your Tax Return with Smart Deductions
Teaching isn’t a desk job—it’s a prep-at-home, work-on-weekends, pay-for-your-own-stationery type of profession. So when tax time rolls around, it’s only fair you get to claim back on the things that help you do your job.
This guide walks teachers through the most common tax deductions available in Australia—so you can lodge your online tax return with confidence and keep your refund as high as your student expectations.
Teachers' Tax Checklist
1. Teaching Supplies and Stationery
If your school doesn't reimburse you, you can claim:
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Pens, markers, whiteboard supplies
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Posters, visual aids, classroom decor
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Resources purchased to support curriculum or student needs
2. Technology, Tools and Equipment
You can claim:
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Laptops, tablets, monitors
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Printers and calculators
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Teaching software and education subscriptions
If the item costs over $300, the deduction must be depreciated over time.
3. Motor Vehicle Expenses
You can claim kilometres if you use your personal vehicle for:
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School excursions, sporting events, or camps
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Driving to off-site meetings, training, or second jobs
Use either the cents-per-kilometre method or a 12-week logbook to calculate your work-related usage.
4. Home Office, Phone and Internet
If you work from home to mark papers or prepare lessons, you can claim:
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Phone and internet (work % only)
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Home office running expenses (power, cleaning, consumables)
Keep a one-month logbook to determine your business use.
5. Training, Courses and Self-Education
If the course helps you maintain or improve your current skills, it’s deductible.
You can claim:
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Course fees, books and manuals
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Travel, accommodation and stationery
Courses that qualify you for a new role (like moving from teacher to principal) are not claimable.
6. Other Claimable Expenses
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Teacher registration and renewal fees
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Working with Children Checks / Blue Card
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Union and association memberships
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Sun protection items used during outdoor supervision
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Personal super contributions (if made directly)
7. Top 20 Q&As for Teachers
Can I claim classroom supplies I bought myself?
Yes, if the school didn't reimburse you and they're directly related to teaching.
Can I claim my laptop or tablet?
Yes, especially if it’s used for planning lessons, marking or classroom presentations.
Do I need to depreciate my computer?
If it cost over $300, yes. GoTax can help calculate this in your online tax return.
Can I claim driving to school each day?
No. Home to work travel is not deductible.
What if I drive to another school for a second job?
Yes, travel between separate workplaces is claimable.
Can I claim car use for excursions or sport events?
Yes, if you used your personal vehicle and weren’t reimbursed.
Is my home internet claimable?
Yes, partially. Claim the percentage used for work after keeping a usage diary.
Can I claim phone calls to parents?
Yes, if made from your personal phone and required for work. A usage log is needed.
Is sunscreen deductible?
Yes, if you use it while performing duties outdoors like yard duty or sports supervision.
What about sunglasses or sun hats?
Claimable if used specifically for outdoor school duties.
Can I claim professional development courses?
Yes, if they improve your current teaching role—not for promotion or new job qualifications.
Is working with children check claimable?
Yes, if it's required to maintain your current teaching position.
Can I claim union membership fees?
Yes. Union and professional association fees are deductible.
Can I claim a teacher’s subscription or magazine?
Yes, if it relates to your teaching subject or profession.
What if the school reimbursed me later?
You cannot claim anything that was reimbursed by your employer.
Can I claim working from home expenses?
Yes, if you're doing school work like lesson planning or marking from a designated workspace.
Are report-writing days at home claimable?
Yes, as long as you’re unpaid for that time and it's not part of your normal school hours.
Can I claim blue card or WWCC renewals?
Yes, if it’s essential to keep working in your teaching role.
Are online learning platforms deductible?
Yes, if you pay for access to content that helps you teach better.
Can I claim my tax agent fee?
Yes, your GoTax fee is 100% deductible on next year’s tax return.
8. Final Tax Tips for Teachers
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Keep receipts for everything work-related
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Use a logbook or GoTax's Deduction Grabber App to track kilometres
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Don’t mix personal purchases with work gear—separate the receipts
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Get your online tax return done fast and smart with GoTax
9. Helpful Blogs and Video Guides
What Next
Sign up to GoTax and not only get your Tax Return done, you can also ask as many questions as you like and get informed answers. You have access to the equivalent of a Tax Einstein – that is our very own D.e.r.e.k as well as the best credentialed Tax Accountants around.
