Stay informed with practical tax tips and claim guidance for NDIS support workers. From everyday expense categories to record-keeping essentials, we make it easier to understand what you can claim and what to avoid at tax time.
For NDIS support workers, a claim generally needs to meet three conditions:
If an expense is reimbursed, it is usually not deductible. If you receive an allowance and it is included in your assessable income, you may still be able to claim the related work expense.
Work-related professional fees and insurance costs are generally deductible. This can include union fees, professional association memberships, and required checks or clearances (such as a blue card), provided you paid for them yourself.
Protective items used in your duties are generally deductible when you were not reimbursed by your employer. Common examples include gloves, hand sanitiser, PPE, non-slip shoes, and sunscreen for outdoor work.
Training and events are generally deductible when they directly support your current role. This can include seminars, conferences, and short courses that maintain or improve the skills you already use at work.
If the event requires overnight travel for work, related travel, accommodation, and meal costs may also be deductible where eligibility rules are met.
A key rule is that claims must be tied to income-earning work activities. If a trip includes private travel, only the clearly work-related components are generally deductible.
Example:
An NDIS support worker attends a role-specific training workshop in another town and stays overnight to attend the full program. The worker may be able to claim eligible training, travel, and accommodation costs with proper records. If the workshop is unrelated to their current duties, those costs are generally not deductible.
Tools and equipment required for your work are generally deductible. This may include items such as a work phone, assistive equipment, or other role-specific tools.
If an item is used for both work and personal purposes, only the work-related portion can be claimed.
Eligible overnight travel for work may be deductible, including accommodation and related travel costs. One common exception is overnight stays at a participant’s home, which are generally not treated as deductible travel accommodation.
If you receive an overnight allowance and it is included in your assessable income, you may still be able to claim eligible expenses where you can show:
There are two common methods for calculating working-from-home expenses. The right method depends on your circumstances and record-keeping.
This method is often simpler and suits people who want a straightforward approach.
To use this method, you generally need:
Using the fixed rate (noted as $0.70 per hour from 1 July 2024 in the source material) covers costs such as:
These covered costs are not claimed separately under this method.
You may still be able to claim work-related portions of other eligible expenses not included in the fixed rate, such as:
This method uses your actual eligible running costs, apportioned by the work-related use of your home space.
To use this method, you generally need:
Car expenses depend on the purpose of each trip, so not every kilometre is deductible.
Travel is generally not claimable when it is ordinary commuting between home and your usual workplace.
Travel is often claimable when it is directly work-related, such as:
Car claims are generally calculated using either:
Each method has different record requirements, so it is important to choose the one that best matches your circumstances.
Example:
Driving from home to your first regular shift is usually private travel. Driving from one participant to another during your shift is generally work-related travel.
This method calculates the work-related percentage of your total vehicle running costs (for example fuel, servicing, registration, insurance, and similar expenses).
To use it, you generally need a logbook for a continuous 12-week period. For each trip, record:
Once complete, this gives you your work-use percentage, which you then apply to eligible running costs. A valid logbook can usually be relied on for up to five years unless your circumstances materially change.
Fuel and oil can be claimed from actual receipts, or estimated using a reasonable method based on odometer evidence. Other costs generally require written records.
This method is simpler and does not require a full logbook. You claim a set rate per business kilometre, up to the annual kilometre cap, and keep evidence showing how those work kilometres were calculated.
For 2024/25 and 2025/26, the source material states a rate of $0.88 per kilometre with a 5,000 km cap (equating to $4,400 maximum at that rate).
Clothing claims are limited to specific categories. Deductible clothing is generally:
Everyday clothing is usually treated as private, even if worn for work.
Where clothing qualifies, associated laundry and maintenance costs may also be deductible when supported by records. This includes:
Where laundry expenses (excluding dry cleaning) are below $150, formal receipts are not always required, but you should still be able to show how you worked out your claim.
Example:
A branded uniform polo required by your workplace may be claimable. Standard black trousers worn to shifts are generally not claimable.
In most standard situations, obtaining or renewing a normal driver’s licence is a private expense and not deductible.
In limited cases, additional licence-related costs may be claimable where they are specifically required for your current income-earning duties and meet tax rules.
Example:
Renewing a standard licence used for normal commuting is generally not claimable.
Meals are usually private expenses and are not deductible during ordinary workdays.
In some situations, meals may be deductible where they are part of eligible overnight work travel and all claim conditions are met.
Example:
Lunch purchased during a normal day shift is generally not claimable. A meal purchased during an eligible overnight work trip may be claimable.
Self-education costs may be deductible when the study has a clear and direct connection to your current role and helps maintain or improve the skills you use to earn income.
Study that is designed to help you move into a different occupation is usually not deductible.
Example:
A course that strengthens skills you currently use as an NDIS support worker may be claimable. A qualification for a different career pathway is generally not claimable.
Child care costs are private expenses and are not deductible, even where care is needed so you can attend work.
Example:
Day-care fees paid while you are on shift are not claimable.
Entertainment costs and social event expenses are private or non-deductible in most cases, even where colleagues or work contacts are involved.
Example:
Tickets to a social event, end-of-year function costs, or similar entertainment expenses are generally not claimable.
Glasses and contact lenses are generally treated as private expenses and are not deductible in standard situations.
Example:
Prescription glasses purchased for everyday use, including at work, are generally not claimable.
Personal grooming expenses are private and not deductible. This includes costs such as haircuts, cosmetics, and beauty treatments.
Example:
A haircut or makeup purchased to maintain a professional appearance at work is not claimable.
Run through these points before lodging so your claims are clear, accurate, and properly supported.
Tax outcomes depend on personal circumstances. For advice tailored to your situation, speak with a registered tax professional and confirm current rules with the ATO.
