Tax for Social Workers Australia
This page is for social workers who want a clearer starting point on AASW membership, continuing professional development, client travel, phone and internet costs, supervision fees, and conference deductions.
Quick answer: social workers can generally claim AASW membership fees, CPD costs, work-related travel between clients, phone and internet used for work, supervision fees, and conference expenses. The ATO requires a direct connection to earning your income, and you cannot claim anything your employer reimbursed or that is primarily private.
Common social worker deductions
Often deductible
- AASW membership and accreditation fees
- Continuing professional development (CPD) courses and workshops
- Conference and seminar registration fees related to your current role
- Clinical supervision fees required for accreditation or professional growth in your current role
- Travel between client locations, home visits, or between workplaces during the day
- Work-related phone and internet costs with supporting records
- Professional reference books, journals, and subscriptions
- Home office running expenses for work-related admin tasks
- Professional indemnity insurance premiums
Often non-deductible
- Normal home-to-office commuting costs
- Initial social work degree costs (pre-income earning qualification)
- Ordinary clothing without occupation-specific requirements
- Private meals, childcare, and personal expenses
- Courses aimed at a completely different profession
Records social workers should keep
- Receipts for AASW membership, supervision fees, and CPD costs
- Conference registration invoices and travel receipts
- A logbook or travel diary for work-related client visits and inter-office travel
- Itemised phone bills or a four-week diary to establish work-related phone use
- Home office records including hours worked from home for running-expense claims
- Evidence of any reimbursement to avoid double-claiming
Start with these calculators
Tax return calculator
Estimate the refund impact of your eligible work-related deductions.
Pay calculator
Check take-home pay for weekly, fortnightly, monthly, or annual salary.
Salary sacrifice calculator
Model concessional super contributions against take-home pay.
HELP repayment calculator
Estimate student loan repayments if your income crosses a threshold.
Social worker tax FAQs
Can social workers claim AASW membership fees?
Generally yes, where the AASW membership is directly connected to your current social work role and you paid the cost yourself without employer reimbursement.
Can social workers claim travel to client visits?
Travel between client locations, home visits, or between workplaces during the day is generally deductible. Normal home-to-office commuting is usually treated as private.
Can social workers claim phone and internet costs?
Work-related phone and internet costs are generally deductible. You need records such as an itemised bill or a four-week diary to show the work-related percentage.
Tax Accuracy & Sources
This guide summarises common social worker deduction patterns only. Always check whether the expense has a direct connection to earning your income, whether any private element needs apportionment, and whether your employer has already reimbursed you.
Uses 2025-26 ATO rates.