Can You Claim Your Work Uniform on Tax in Australia?
Your Guide to Claiming Work Uniforms on Tax
Disclaimer: This blog is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or tax advice. Please consult the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) or a qualified tax professional for personalised advice.
If you wear scrubs to work — this one’s for you.
Whether you’re a nurse, dentist, physio, vet nurse, or aged care worker, you may be wondering: can I claim my uniform on tax? The good news is, you might be eligible — but there are a few boxes to tick first.
This guide will help healthcare staff understand what’s claimable and what’s not, and how to make the most of tax time when buying uniforms such as scrubs, jackets, and professional work shoes.
✅ When Can You Claim Your Work Uniform?
According to the ATO’s current guidelines, you can claim the cost of buying and maintaining occupation-specific clothing, protective clothing, or a compulsory uniform. For most healthcare staff, this may include scrubs, lab coats, and other branded clothing — but only under specific conditions.
Here’s when a uniform may be deductible:
- It is compulsory and your employer has made it mandatory (e.g. uniform policy)
- It has a distinctive logo or style unique to your employer
- It is occupation-specific (e.g. medical scrubs for a nurse or aged care worker)
- It is not suitable for everyday wear (i.e. you wouldn’t wear it outside of work)
Source: ATO – Work-related clothing and laundry
🚫 When You Can’t Claim
Even if your employer prefers or encourages a certain style or colour (like black pants or plain tops), you cannot claim it unless it’s part of a registered or compulsory uniform.
You also can’t claim:
- Clothing that is not specific to your job (e.g. general activewear or business attire)
- Unbranded scrubs, unless required and clearly occupation-specific
- Items paid for by your employer or reimbursed
🧼 Can I Claim Laundry Costs for My Uniform?
Yes — if your uniform meets the above criteria and you wash, dry, or iron it yourself, you may be able to claim laundry costs. The ATO allows:
- $1 per load if the load is made up only of work-related clothing
- 50c per load if it's mixed with everyday clothes
If your total claim is under $150 for laundry and $300 in total for work-related expenses (excluding car, meals, and travel), you don’t need receipts — but you do need to keep a reasonable record of your laundry habits.
👟 What About Shoes and Accessories?
According to the ATO, conventional shoes like sneakers or work flats are not deductible — unless they’re occupationally specific or protective. If your job requires non-slip footwear, such as in some hospital or aged care environments, you can claim them.
Other protective items, such as gloves, goggles, or face shields, may also be deductible if necessary for your job and not reimbursed.
💡 EOFY Tip: Stock Up on Uniforms Before June 30
Planning to buy new scrubs or jackets? Now is the time. Purchases made before 30 June could potentially be claimed this financial year (depending on your eligibility). Just remember to:
- Keep your receipts
- Log your use of uniforms, washing, or maintenance
- Double-check the ATO’s current criteria before you lodge
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Seek professional tax advice
🛍️ What Can I Shop That May Be Tax Deductible?
If your uniform is compulsory or occupation-specific, you may be eligible to claim these items from our range:
- Scrubs from Dickies, Wink, Cherokee, and Biz Care
- Embroidered scrubs with your name or clinic logo
- Protective outerwear like fleece jackets and lab coats
- Supportive, clinical footwear such as Frankie4 and New Balance
Shop medical uniforms with fast dispatch, Afterpay, Zip Pay, and bulk ordering options.
📚 How to Stay Tax-Ready
Before you make your claim, follow these three steps:
- Confirm eligibility with your employer and ATO guidelines
- Keep proof of purchase and usage records
- Seek advice from a registered tax agent for specific claims
🧾 Final Word
Claiming your work uniform at tax time can be a smart way to reduce your expenses — just make sure your items meet the ATO’s definition of work-related clothing and that you follow all required steps.
Infectious Clothing Company is proud to support Australia’s healthcare workers with quality uniforms, locally held stock, and custom branding to suit every clinic, aged care facility, or hospital.
EOFY is nearly here — make your order count!
