Teacher Tax Deductions 2026-27: What Australian Teachers Can Claim

Teachers spend their own money on their classrooms, and the receipts pile up in a drawer somewhere. The trick is knowing which of those expenses you can actually claim in your 2026-27 return, and which ones the ATO will knock back. This is the short version of Australian teacher tax deductions for classroom teachers, teacher's aides and school support staff.

Classroom supplies you pay for yourself

If you buy teaching supplies out of your own pocket and the school doesn't pay you back, those costs can generally be claimed as work-related expenses. That covers stationery, posters, reward stickers, craft materials and the endless replacements. Sunscreen and a hat may count too if your duties, like yard duty, put you outside.

The test is simple. The item relates to your job, and you weren't reimbursed for it. Keep the receipt or a bank statement showing the purchase, and note what it was for.

Professional development and courses

Self-education is deductible when the course, conference or training day connects to the job you already have. Attending a conference or completing a short course that sharpens your skills in your current role usually fits. Study designed to get you into a completely different career does not.

Children's school fees and childcare are never claimable, no matter how much they feel like a work expense.

Union fees and teacher registration

Union membership fees are deductible, and so is your teacher registration fee, since you need registration to stay employed. These are the easy ones because the amounts are set and the paperwork lands in your inbox anyway.

Phone and internet

If you use your personal phone or home internet for work, you can claim the work-related share. That means parent calls, emails after hours, planning notes and the rest of it. Work out a reasonable percentage from actual use, apply it to your bills for the year, and keep a four-week diary if you want something to back the number up. If you use the fixed rate method below, your phone and internet are already included, so do not claim them again.

Working from home at the fixed rate

Teachers who do planning, admin or student support work at home can claim the ATO's fixed rate for working from home. It covers running costs such as electricity, internet, phone and stationery. Furniture and equipment, like a desk or laptop, are claimed separately. The current ATO fixed rate is 70 cents per hour, which applies for 2024-25 and 2025-26. Check the ATO website for the rate that applies to the income year you're lodging, because it's reviewed each year.

The fixed rate needs a record of the hours you worked from home. A simple log or diary is enough. Choosing to claim actual expenses instead means much more detailed records.

Car trips between schools

Driving between schools during the workday is work-related travel and can be claimed. The drive from home to your usual school, and the drive home again, is ordinary commuting and is not deductible. There are limited circumstances where carrying bulky teaching equipment changes things, so check with the ATO or a registered tax agent before you claim on that basis. A logbook or a car expense calculator will sort out the work portion.

First aid courses

If your school requires you to hold a current first aid certificate, the cost of the course can be claimed. If you did it on your own initiative and it isn't a requirement of your role, it's a much harder claim to justify.

What you can't claim

• Everyday clothing you'd wear outside work. If your school requires a uniform, the cost of buying it and laundering it can be claimed. Normal clothes cannot.

• The commute from home to your regular school.

• Anything the school has already reimbursed or paid for directly.

• Children's school fees or childcare costs.

The $1,000 standard deduction

From the 2026-27 income year, eligible workers get a standard deduction of up to $1,000 for work-related expenses. The ATO adds it to your return for you, and you do not need receipts for it. If you claim your own work costs, the $1,000 is reduced by the amount you claim. So if your teaching costs are well over $1,000, claim them with records instead.

Keeping the records straight

None of this holds up without evidence. Keep receipts for everything you intend to claim. Photograph paper receipts as you get them, so nothing fades in a shoebox before June.

The Lodgya Personal tracker is built for exactly this. You snap the receipt, tag it to a category, and the totals are ready to hand to your accountant or type straight into myTax after signing in with myID. The ATO's occupation guide for teachers on ato.gov.au is worth a read before you lodge, since it sets out the specific conditions for each claim.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I claim the cost of driving to and from school?

No. Travel between home and your regular workplace is commuting, and commuting isn't deductible. Driving between schools during the day is different and can be claimed. If you're ever unsure about a particular trip, keep a logbook of the kilometres and confirm the treatment with the ATO before you include it.

Can I claim normal work clothes?

Only if your school requires a specific uniform. In that case the purchase cost and the cost of laundry can be claimed. Standard clothes you'd wear anywhere, even if you only wear them to work, aren't deductible. A compulsory uniform with a school logo is the clearest example of something that qualifies.

What if my school reimburses me for supplies?

Then you can't claim them. You can only deduct an expense you've actually borne yourself and haven't been paid back for. If the school covers part of a purchase, claim only your own out-of-pocket portion and keep records showing how the cost was split between you and the school.

What rate do I use for working from home?

The ATO fixed rate is 70 cents per hour, which applies for 2024-25 and 2025-26. Check the ATO website for the rate covering the income year you're lodging, since it's updated. You'll also need a record of the hours you worked from home to support the calculation.

General information only, not tax advice. Check the ATO or speak to a registered tax agent about your own situation.