♿ Disability Support Worker Tax Deductions Australia
NDIS & Disability Care Staff — your complete 2026 ATO guide.
Last updated: May 2026
If you work as a disability support worker in Australia, you're entitled to claim a deduction for many of the costs you incur doing your job. The ATO has specific rules about what counts and what doesn't — and getting it right can mean a meaningfully bigger refund. This guide covers every tax deduction available to Australian disability support workers for the 2025–26 financial year, based on published ATO guidance for the Healthcare & Medical sector. We break down what's fully deductible, what's partially deductible (and how to apportion it), and what to avoid claiming.
The 3 ATO golden rules
To claim a work-related deduction, you must meet all three:
- You paid for it personally and weren't reimbursed.
- The expense directly relates to earning your income.
- You have a record (usually a receipt).
✅ Fully deductible 13 items
Compulsory or branded uniforms
Compulsory uniforms with employer branding are deductible.
Closed-in non-slip footwear
Protective footwear required for client support work is deductible.
Laundry of work uniforms
Laundry of compulsory uniforms is deductible (up to $150 without receipts).
Personal protective equipment (gloves, masks)
PPE required for client care is deductible when self-funded.
Cert III/IV in Disability or Individual Support
Training that maintains or improves your disability support skills is deductible.
First aid and CPR training
First aid training required for your role is deductible.
Manual handling and behaviour support training
Specialist NDIS-aligned training is deductible if it maintains your current skills.
NDIS Worker Screening Check
The mandatory NDIS worker check fee is deductible.
Union and association fees
Union or professional body fees related to your role are deductible.
Work bag and notebook
Equipment used to carry your work tools and notes is deductible.
Working with Children Check
WWCC fees required for your role are deductible.
Vaccinations required for work
Vaccinations required for client safety may be deductible.
Parking and tolls during work
Parking and tolls during work-related travel are deductible; fines are not.
⚠️ Partially deductible 4 items
These costs are split between work and private use. You can only claim the work-use percentage — keep a 4-week diary or 12-week logbook.
Mobile phone (work-related use)
Work-related calls, messages and data are deductible at the work-use percentage based on a 4-week log.
Home internet (work-related use)
The work-related proportion of your home internet is deductible based on usage records.
Car expenses (client transport / home visits)
Travel between client locations or transporting a participant in your car is deductible.
Home office running costs
Electricity, gas, and depreciation of office furniture used for work are deductible (70c/hr fixed rate or actual cost method).
❌ Not deductible 3 items
Common audit traps. Claiming these can trigger ATO review and penalties.
General clothing (non-uniform)
Conventional clothing worn to work is not deductible, even if your employer requires it.
Home-to-work commute
Travel from home to your regular workplace is private and not deductible under ATO rules.
Meals during regular work hours
Meals consumed during ordinary work hours are a private expense and not deductible.
Need help lodging your return?
ALI Tax's qualified agents handle returns Australia-wide. Average refund: $2,847.
Get started with ALI Tax →Frequently asked questions
What's the simplest way to track disability support worker deductions during the year?
Keep a separate folder or app (like Receipt Bank or your phone's notes) and capture every work-related receipt as you spend. The 'shoebox approach' costs most disability support workers thousands in lost refunds each year.
Can I claim something my employer reimbursed?
No. If you've been reimbursed (or it was salary-packaged), you can't claim a deduction for it as well.
Do I need receipts for everything?
You need a receipt or written record for any deduction. For laundry up to $150 and small expenses up to $300 in total, you can use the ATO simplified methods without keeping every receipt.
What's the difference between deductible and partial?
Fully deductible means you can claim 100% of the cost. Partial means it's split between work and private use — you can only claim the work-use percentage based on a diary or logbook.
How long do I need to keep my receipts?
Five years from the date you lodge your tax return. The ATO can ask for records anytime in that window.