Tax Deductions for Truck Drivers
Truck drivers can claim some of the biggest deductions around — especially for travel, meals, and overnight stays. If you're on the road, make sure you're not leaving money on the table.
This guide covers 34 deduction categories with 243+ specific items, plus income types and record-keeping requirements — all sourced from the ATO.
💰 Real-World Example
Dave: Dave is a long-haul driver who sleeps in his truck 3 nights a week. He claimed reasonable meal allowances ($60/day × 150 nights = $9,000), sunglasses ($200), and a GPS unit ($350).
Result: ~$2,850 back on a $80k salary
Illustrative example only. Your situation may differ.
Deduction Categories
34
Specific Items
243
Income Types
0
Work-Related Deductions (34)
Amounts you do and don't include
- salary and wages, including cash or bonus payments
- compensation and insurance payments – for example, payments made under an income protection insurance policy to replace salary and wages.
- You must include all the income you receive as a truck driver during the income year as a truck driver in your tax return, this includes:
- Don't include as income any reimbursements you receive.
- Your income statement or payment summary shows all your salary, wages and allowances for the income year.
Allowances
- to help you pay for a work expense – for example, overtime meal allowance
- as compensation for an aspect of your work such as working conditions or industry peculiarities – for example, weekend and holiday shifts
- as an amount for having special duties, skills or qualifications – for example, first aid qualifications.
Allowances not on your income statement or payment summary
- don't include it as income in your tax return
- can't claim any deductions for the work expenses the allowance covers.
- include the allowance as income in your tax return
- include a claim for the work expenses you incur in your tax return
- must have records of your expenses.
Allowances and claiming a deduction
- The following table sets out allowances you may receive and when you can claim a deduction.
- Example of allowance type
- Deduction (Yes or No)
- Compensation for an aspect of your work that is unpleasant, special or dangerous or industry peculiarities
- Weekend and holiday shifts
- These allowances don't help you pay for deductible work-related expenses
- An amount for certain expenses
- Overtime meal allowance
- If you incur deductible expenses
- An amount for special skills
- A first aid certificate
- Mario is an employee truck driver. His duties require him to cart, load and unload manure. Mario's employer pays him an allowance of 51c per hour and shows the total allowance on his income statement.
- Mario must include the allowance as income in his tax return, but he can't claim a deduction for any expenses against the allowance because he doesn't incur any deductible expenses.
- The allowance compensates Mario for working in unpleasant conditions.
- Bronwyn is an employee truck driver. During the income year, Bronwyn uses her own vehicle to travel from the depot to head office to attend training and meetings. Bronwyn's employer pays her 50c per kilometre when she uses her car for work purposes.
- At the end of the year, her income statement shows an allowance amount of $160 for using her car for work (320 kms × $0.50 = $160).
- Bronwyn must include the car allowance she receives as income in her tax return.
- Bronwyn can claim a deduction for the cost of using her car for work purposes.
- Bronwyn can't claim the amount of the allowance received. Rather she must calculate the amount of the deduction based on the records she keeps whenever she uses her own car for work purposes.
- In the past year Bronwyn has kept a record of the work trips she did using her own car, but she doesn't keep a logbook. Her records show she used her car to travel 320 kms for work purposes.
- As Bronwyn has not kept a logbook, she uses the cents per kilometre method to claim a deduction. The cents per kilometre method rate for the 2024–25 income year is 88c per kilometre.
- Bronwyn can claim a deduction of $282 for her car expenses. Bronwyn calculates her deduction as 320 kms × $0.88 = $282.
Reimbursements
- you don't include the reimbursement as income in your tax return
- you can't claim a deduction for them.
- Deductions for work expenses
- Record keeping for work expenses
Accommodation
- You can claim a deduction for the cost of accommodation if you're a long-haul driver required to travel for work. That is, take a mandatory long rest break and sleep away from home in the course of performing your income-producing activities.
- If you sleep in your truck you can't claim a deduction because you haven’t spent any money on accommodation.
Car expenses
- live a long way from your usual or regular workplace
- have to work outside normal business hours – for example, weekend or early morning shifts.
- the tools or equipment are essential to perform your employment duties
- the tools or equipment are bulky, meaning that because of the size and weight, they are awkward to transport
- they can only be transported conveniently using a motor vehicle
- there is no secure storage for such items at the workplace.
- directly between separate jobs on the same day (provided neither of the workplaces is your home) – for example, you drive for 2 separate employers
- to and from an alternative workplace for the same employer on the same day – for example, travelling between depots
- from home directly to an alternative workplace – for example, travelling from home to a depot other than your regular depot to fill in for another driver.
- own the car
- lease the car (directly from the finance company)
- hire the car under a purchase agreement (with the car dealership or a finance company).
- vehicle with a carrying capacity of one tonne or more (such as a ute)
- vehicle that can transport 9 passengers or more (such as a minibus).
Example: when you can't claim a deduction for transporting your own tools
- Raj is a short-haul truck driver. Raj's employer requires him to make minor repairs to the truck with his own tools if it breaks down. His employer provides a secure area at the depot for Raj to store his tools in. Raj chooses to transport his tools to and from work each day.
- Raj can't claim a deduction for the expenses he incurs in transporting his tools to and from work each day. This is because the tools that Raj uses are for making minor repairs and are not bulky.
- Even if the tools Raj required were bulky, he would not be able to claim a deduction. He has chosen, as a matter of convenience, to carry the tools between home and the workplace instead of using the secure storage provided.
Example: travelling between two jobs
- Avery travels directly from her job delivering bread in the morning to her second job as a meal-kit delivery driver in the afternoon, 3 days per week.
- She can claim a deduction for the travel between one workplace to the other. She can't claim a deduction for the travel between her home and the workplaces.
- Avery uses the myDeductions tool in the ATO app to record her trips in the digital logbook. This gives her an accurate record of the kilometres she travels in the financial year. She uploads these records to her tax return when she is ready to lodge.
Child care
- You can't claim a deduction for the cost of child care (including school holidays and before and after school care) when you’re working. It’s a private expense, and the expenses have no direct connection to earning your income.
Clothing and uniform expenses (including footwear)
- protective clothing – clothing with protective features or functions you wear to protect you from specific risks of injury or illness at work. For example, steel-capped boots, fire-resistant clothing, or overalls that protect conventional clothing. Conventional clothes you wear at work are not regarded as protective clothing if they lack protective qualities designed for the risks of your work. This includes jeans, drill shirts, shorts, trousers, socks, closed shoes.
- occupation-specific – clothing that distinctly identifies you as a person with a particular profession, trade or occupation. For example, a judge's robes or a chef's chequered pants. Items traditionally worn in a profession are not occupation-specific where the clothing is worn by multiple professions.
- a compulsory uniform – clothing that your employer strictly and consistently enforces you wear by workplace agreement or policy and distinctly identifies either you as an employee working for a particular employer
- the products or services your employer provides.
- a non-compulsory uniform – a uniform that is not compulsory to wear and that your employer registers on the Register of Approved Occupational Clothing.
Example: deduction allowed for compulsory work-related clothing
- James is a long-haul truck driver. His employer requires that all drivers wear the company shirt, full length pants and enclosed shoes. The shirt has the company name and logo embroidered on it.
- James buys 5 company shirts, full length jeans and a pair of comfortable running shoes.
- James can claim a deduction for the cost of buying the shirts as they are mandatory for him to wear when he is working. The logo makes the clothing unique and distinctive to the organisation he works for.
- James can't claim a deduction for the jeans or running shoes as these items are considered conventional clothing.
Example: deduction allowed for protective clothing items
- Laura is a short-haul truck driver and is required to use a forklift to unload the truck when she reaches her destination. Laura buys a pair of steel cap boots for protective purposes. Her employer doesn’t have a uniform policy, but requests employees dress appropriately for their role.
- Laura is operating heavy machinery and all of the depots she delivers to require everyone in the delivery area to wear steel cap boots to comply with workplace health and safety regulations.
- Laura can claim a deduction for the cost of the boots. The boots protect her from the risk of injury posed by the activities she undertakes to earn her income as well as provide a sufficient degree of protection against that risk.
Compulsory assessments
- You can claim a deduction for compulsory assessments and medical examinations your employer requires you to take in your current employment. For example, an annual vision test.
- You can’t claim a deduction for compulsory pre-employment assessments and medical examinations you take to obtain employment as a truck driver. For example, a general medical assessment to certify that you are fit to drive.
Example: pre-employment assessment
- Verity applies for a job as a truck driver. At the end of the job interview, she is advised she has been successful and will secure the job so long as she passes a pre-employment medical examination.
- Verity can't claim a deduction for this pre-employment medical examination, as it's a requirement for her to pass it to gain employment as a truck driver.
Drivers licence
- You can't claim a deduction for the cost to get or renew your drivers licence , even if you must have it as a condition of employment. This is a private expense.
- You can claim a deduction for additional costs you incur to get a special licence or condition on your licence to perform your work duties. For example, the cost you incur to get a heavy vehicle permit.
Example: heavy vehicle permit
- Truck driver expenses E–P
- Truck driver expenses R–S
- Truck driver expenses T–W
Entertainment and social functions
- work breakfasts, lunches or dinners
- attendance at sporting events
- gala or social nights
- concerts or dances
- cocktail parties
- other similar types of functions or events.
Fines and penalties
- You can't claim a deduction for any fines or penalties you get when you travel to work or during work. Fines may include parking and speeding fines or penalties. For example, a fine you receive for overloading your truck.
First aid courses
- a designated first aid person
- need to complete a first aid training course to assist in emergency work situations.
- You can claim a deduction for the cost of first aid training courses if you are both:
- You can’t claim a deduction if your employer pays for or reimburses you for the cost of the course.
Glasses, contact lenses and anti-glare glasses
- You can't claim a deduction for prescription glasses or contact lenses , even if you need to wear them while working as these are private expenses.
- You can claim a deduction for the cost of protective glasses if you wear them to reduce the real and likely risk of illness or injury while working. Protective glasses include anti-glare or photochromatic glasses, sunglasses, safety glasses or goggles.
- You can only claim a deduction for the work-related use of the item.
Laundry and maintenance
- protective – for example, a hi-vis jacket
- occupation specific and not a conventional, everyday piece of clothing
- a uniform either non-compulsory and registered by your employer on the Register of Approved Occupational Clothing or compulsory.
- $1 per load if it only contains clothing you wear at work from one of the categories above
- 50c per load if you mix personal items of clothing with work clothing from one of the categories above.
Example: deduction allowed for laundry expenses
- Josh is a local truck driver. His employer doesn't have a uniform policy. When Josh completes a delivery, he is required to leave his truck and fill out the necessary paperwork with a client.
- Josh regularly delivers to depots that require all personnel to wear high-visibility shirts to comply with workplace health and safety regulations.
- Josh buys and wears a high-visibility shirt, jeans and comfortable running shoes when he drives his truck. Josh washes his high-visibility shirts twice a week in their own wash separated from his other clothes.
- Josh worked for 48 weeks during the financial year.
- Josh calculates his claim as follows:
- 2 washes per week × $1 per load × 48 weeks of the year = $96
- As his total claim for laundry expenses is under $150, Josh isn't required to keep evidence of his laundry expenses. However, if asked, he will still be required to explain how he calculated the claim.
Example: disallowed deduction for laundry expenses
- Samuel is a short distance regional truck driver. His employer doesn't have a uniform policy. Samuel wears blue jeans, a t-shirt and comfortable running shoes while driving his truck.
- Samuel can't claim a deduction for laundering his jeans and t-shirts as these items are considered conventional clothing and private in nature.
Meal and snack expenses
- take a mandatory long rest break as part of your shift
- sleep away from home overnight for work for the purpose of carrying out your employment duties ( travel expenses ).
- You can't claim a deduction for the cost of food, drink or snacks you consume during your normal working hours, even if you receive a meal allowance. These are private expenses.
- You can't claim your meal expenses when you travel for work if you didn't need to:
- You can only claim one of each meal type in a 24-hour period, even if you eat at unusual times. For example, you can't claim for 2 dinners in one day.
Example: when you can't claim a meal expense
- Matthew is a short-haul truck driver who transports a load of cement from Sydney to Canberra. He then returns to his base in Sydney the same day. He buys food and drink during the course of the trip.
- He can't claim a deduction for the food and drink he buys, as this trip is part of his normal working day.
Music streaming services, CDs, audio books or podcasts
- You can't claim a deduction for music streaming services, CDs, audio books, podcasts or devices that you use in the truck. Even if they're used to help relieve fatigue, these items aren't essential to earning your income. These are private expenses.
Newspapers and other news services, magazines and professional publications
- a direct connection between your specific work duties and the content
- the content is specific to your employment and is not general in nature.
- The cost of newspapers, other news services and magazines are generally personal expenses and not deductible.
- You can claim a deduction for the cost of buying or subscribing to a professional publication, newspaper, news service or magazine if you can show:
- If you use the publication for work and private purposes, you can only claim the portion related to your work-related use.
Overtime meal expenses
- you receive an overtime meal allowance under an industrial law, award or agreement
- the allowance is on your income statement or payment summary as a separate allowance
- you include the allowance in your tax return as income.
- up to reasonable amount, you don’t have to get and keep receipts
- more than the reasonable amount, you must get and keep receipts for your expenses.
Example: deduction for overtime meal
- Carl is a short-haul truck driver. On 30 separate times during the year Carl works overtime after completing his normal 8-hour shift. He receives an overtime meal break and overtime meal allowance of $20 under the award each time this occurs.
- Carl generally buys and eats a meal costing $15 during overtime. Carl's income statement shows the overtime meal allowances as a separate allowance totalling $600. That is, 30 overtime shifts × $20 = $600.
- In his tax return, Carl includes the allowance as income and claims a deduction. He works out his deduction as:
- $15 × 30 overtime shifts = $450
- That is the actual amount he spent on overtime meals multiplied by the number of overtime shifts.
- As the amount Carl spent on his meals is less than the reasonable amount, Carl doesn't have to keep receipts. However, if asked, Carl will have to show that he spent the $450 on overtime meals and how he worked out his claim.
- For more information, see TD 2024/3 Income tax: what are the reasonable travel and overtime meal allowance expense amounts for the 2024–25 income year?
Parking fees and tolls
- You can't claim a deduction for parking at or near a regular place of work. You also can't claim a deduction for tolls you incur for trips between your home and regular place of work. These are private expenses.
- You can claim a deduction for parking fees and tolls you incur on work-related trips.
Example: allowance or reimbursement
- doesn't include the reimbursement as income in his tax return
- can't claim a deduction for the cost of the bridge toll.
- Troy had to meet another truck driver 20 km away from the depot due to the driver having to take a mandatory long rest break. Troy met the other truck driver and drove the truck, while the other driver returned to the depot in the car.
- Troy had to pay to go through a bridge toll to meet the other driver. Troy’s employer paid him for the amount of the bridge toll he incurred.
- The amount Troy receives from his employer to cover the cost of the bridge toll is a reimbursement, so he:
Phone, data and internet expenses
- provides you with a phone for work and pays for your usage
- reimburses you for the costs you incur.
- Mobile phone, mobile internet and other devices
- Home phone and internet expenses
Example: calculating phone expenses
- Truck driver expenses A–D
- Truck driver expenses R–S
- Truck driver expenses T–W
Removal and relocation expenses
- You can’t claim a deduction for the cost to transfer or relocate to a new work location. This is the case whether the move is a condition of your existing job or you are taking up a new job.
Repairs to tools and equipment
- You can claim a deduction for repairs to tools and equipment you use for work. If you also use them for private purposes, you can only claim an amount for your work-related use.
Seat covers
- You can't claim a deduction for the cost of seat covers you use in your truck for work. This is a private expense.
Self-education and study expenses
- maintains or improves the skills and knowledge you need for your current duties
- results in or is likely to result in an increase in your income from your current employment.
- doesn't have a connection with your current employment
- only relates in a general way to your current employment
- enables you to get employment or change employment.
- Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
- VET Student Loans (VSL)
- Australian Apprenticeship Support Loan (AASL)
- Student Financial Supplement Scheme (SFSS)
- Student Start-up Loan (SSL).
Example: education not related to current employment
- John is a truck driver who would like to go into business for himself. He is doing a part-time course in Business Administration.
- As the course doesn't relate to his current employment, he can't claim a deduction.
Example: education related to current employment
- Frances is a truck driver who is lives in Lismore, NSW. She travels to Sydney to attend a 3-day heavy vehicle defensive driving course.
- Because the course will improve her skills for current employment, she can claim a deduction. Frances can claim the cost of travel to and from the course venue, meals, incidentals and overnight accommodation in Sydney.
Showers
- You can claim a deduction for the cost of showers when you take a mandatory rest break and sleep away from home for work. For example, while taking a mandatory rest as a long-haul driver.
Sleeping bags and pillows
- take a mandatory long rest break
- sleep away from home for work.
- You can claim a deduction for the cost of your sleeping bag and pillows when you use these when you both:
- If you don't use the sleeping bag and pillows 100% for work, you can only claim a deduction for the work-related use.
Stationery
- You can claim a deduction for the cost of logbooks, diaries and pens that you use for work.
- You can't claim a deduction if your employer reimburses you for these expenses.
Example: deductible diary expense
- Phillip is a delivery truck driver. His duties require him to deliver packages to several business clients every day.
- Phillip prefers to keep a paper diary to record his route and record of parcel receipt, so he buys a diary at the start of each year.
- Phillip can claim a deduction for the cost of the diary.
Sunglasses, sunhats and sunscreen
- must work in the sun for extended periods
- use these items to protect yourself from the real and likely risk of illness or injury while at work.
- You can claim a deduction for the work-related use of sunglasses, sunhats and sunscreen lotions if you:
- This includes prescription sunglasses and anti-glare glasses.
- You can only claim a deduction for the work-related use of the products if you also wear them for private purposes.
Example: deduction for prescription sunglasses
- Truck driver expenses A–D
- Truck driver expenses E–P
- Truck driver expenses T–W
Taxi, ride-share, public transport and car hire
- taking a taxi to the depot because you have reached your maximum driving hours
- your employer requires you to travel from the depot to another location to start your work.
- You can claim a deduction for transport costs if you travel in the course of performing your work. This may include either:
- You can’t claim a deduction for transport expenses you incur to travel between home and your regular place of work, these are private expenses.
- You can't claim a deduction if your employer reimburses you for these expenses.
Tools and equipment
- you use it mainly to produce non-business assessable income
- it's not part of a set that together cost more than $300
- it’s not identical, or substantially identical to, other items that together cost more than $300.
- cost more than $300
- is part of a set that together cost more than $300
- is identical, or substantially identical to, other items that together cost more than $300.
Example: deduction for tools essential to work
- set of spanners for $100
- tyre demount tool for $400.
- On 1 July, Alison bought a:
- She uses these tools at work during the week and at home on weekends to work on her car.
- As the set of spanners cost less than $300, Alison can claim a deduction based on her work usage in the year she purchases them. She uses them 5 out of 7 days at work, so a reasonable basis for calculating the deduction is:
- 5 ÷ 7 days of work use × $100 = $71
- As the tyre demount tool cost more than $300, she checks its expected life, which is 10 years. Alison can claim a deduction for a portion of the decline in value based on the work use of the tyre demount tool.
- Alison works out her claimable deduction as (5 ÷ 7) × (1 ÷ 10) × $420 = $30 in the year she buys the tyre demount tool. She will continue to claim a deduction each year for the expected life of the tool.
Travel expenses
- travel for work if you are required to take your mandatory long rest break
- sleep away from your home overnight (circumstances may be different for FIFO workers).
- sleep in your truck
- sleep in accommodation your employer provides
- eat meals your employer provides
- are reimbursed for any costs by your employer or a third party.
- you were away overnight
- you spent the money
- the travel directly relates to earning your employment income
- how you calculated your claim.
- the travel allowance is not on your income statement or payment summary
- the travel allowance doesn't exceed the Commissioner's reasonable amount (the reasonable amount is the amount we set each year for determining whether an exception from keeping written evidence applies for accommodation, meal and incidental expenses which are covered by a travel allowance)
- you spent the whole allowance on deductible accommodation, meal and incidental expenses (if applicable).
- you receive a travel allowance from your employer for the expenses
- your deduction is less than the Commissioner’s reasonable amount.
Example: travel allowance not on your income statement
- his allowance is not shown on his income statement
- his allowance doesn't exceed the reasonable amount set
- he spent the whole amount on deductible expenses
- he did not spend more than the reasonable amount.
Example: away from home overnight, no allowances
- Joe does an intercity haul that requires him to take a long mandatory rest break while travelling for work. He travels to a sleepover point where he hands the truck over to another driver and takes his break at the company-paid accommodation.
- Joe buys himself dinner at a restaurant nearby and breakfast at the bakery. After his rest break, Joe takes over a truck from another driver and drives back to his employer’s depot. Joe doesn't receive a travel allowance for the travel.
- Joe can't claim a deduction for the accommodation as his employer provides it for him to sleep in.
- Joe can claim the cost of his meals because he incurred them as a result of having to sleep away from home when travelling for work. He needs to get and keep receipts to prove the expense because he did not receive a travel allowance.
Example: spent less than reasonable amount – away from home overnight
- Glenn is an employee truck driver. He drives from Melbourne, Victoria to Adelaide, South Australia. Glenn departs from Melbourne at 9:00 pm and drives through the night to get to Adelaide. When he arrives in Adelaide he sleeps in his truck cab, and then drives back to Melbourne the following day. Glenn receives a travel allowance of $40 for each day. Glenn's employer records these amounts on his income statement.
- During his shift Glenn stops around midnight at a 24-hour truck stop in Horsham and spends $25 on food and drink. He continues on to Adelaide where he snacks on fruit and a sandwich he brought from home. After eating Glenn stays overnight in the truck cab. In the morning Glenn spends $20 on food and drink at the truck stop where he parked overnight.
- Glenn heads to Bordertown, South Australia once the truck is loaded for the return trip. He stops there for lunch and spends $25 on food and drink. He continues on to Melbourne arriving at 5:00 pm, snacking on almonds and water he brought from home as he drives.
- Glenn spent less than the reasonable amounts for each meal (dinner, breakfast and lunch) he bought during his trip. As such, he can claim a deduction for the full amount that he spent on those meals ($70). He isn't required to get and keep all the receipts for these meals. He may still need to provide a reasonable explanation of the expenses so having receipts would be useful in demonstrating a pattern.
- Glenn is only eligible to claim a deduction for the expenses he has incurred, not the reasonable allowance amount.
- For more information, see TD 2024/3 Income tax: what are the reasonable travel and overtime meal allowance expense amounts for the 2024–25 income year?
Truck washing
- You can claim a deduction for the cost of washing your truck. You can't claim a deduction if your employer reimburses you.
Union and professional association fees
- You can claim a deduction for union and professional association fees you pay. You can use your income statement or payment summary as evidence of the amount you pay if it's shown on there.
Working dogs
- you use the animal in carrying out your work duties
- it is a requirement of your employment that you provide your own animal
- you train the animal for their role from a young age and don't treat them like a pet – for example, a cattle dog puppy is trained to herd cattle or livestock.
Example: working dog connected to employment
- Greg is a truck driver who exclusively transports cattle. He owns Hamish, an Australian cattle dog which is a breed developed for droving cattle. Hamish has also been raised and trained as a cattle dog. Greg takes Hamish on his cattle runs and Hamish herds the cattle in and out of the truck.
- Because of the connection with Greg's employment, he can claim a deduction for the costs incurs with Hamish to the extent of the work-related use of the dog.
Example: companion dog not connected to employment
- Truck driver expenses A–D
- Truck driver expenses E–P
- Truck driver expenses R–S
✅ Deduction Checklist for Truck Drivers
Use this checklist at tax time to make sure you don't miss any deductions.
💡 Practical Tips
📱 Use the myDeductions Tool
Download the ATO app and use myDeductions to record expenses throughout the year. Much easier than collecting receipts at tax time.
🧾 The $300 Rule
You can claim up to $300 in work-related expenses without receipts — but you must have actually spent the money and it must be related to earning your income.
🏠 Working From Home
If you work from home, you can claim 67 cents per hour (revised fixed rate) for running expenses like electricity, internet, and phone. Keep a record of hours worked.
🚗 Car Expenses
Choose between the cents per km method (85c/km, max 5,000 km) or logbook method (actual expenses × business use %). A 12-week logbook is valid for 5 years if your circumstances don't change.
⚠️ Common Mistakes & ATO Audit Flags
The ATO actively audits truck drivers claims. Avoid these common errors and know what triggers extra scrutiny.
❌ Common Mistakes
Claiming meal allowances when not travelling overnight
Fix: The reasonable travel allowance only applies when you sleep away from home. Day trips = no meal deduction unless you received an allowance.
Using the wrong car expense method
Fix: For heavy vehicles (>1 tonne carrying capacity), you must use actual expenses — the cents/km method doesn't apply.
Not claiming sun protection
Fix: Sunglasses, sunscreen, and hats are deductible if you work outdoors. Many drivers forget these.
🔍 ATO Audit Flags
Overnight meal claims without travel records
ATO heavily scrutinises truck drivers. Keep a logbook showing dates, locations, and overnight stops.
Claiming domestic travel beyond reasonable amounts
ATO publishes annual reasonable travel allowance amounts. Claims significantly above these trigger review.
Data sourced from the Australian Taxation Office — Truck Drivers Guide. Last updated: 2026-03-14.