Tax season in Australia often brings a mix of confusion and opportunity. As we navigate the professional requirements of 2026, many workers find themselves juggling various compliance costs, from professional registrations to background clearances. One of the most common questions hitting our support inbox at this time of year is: can you claim a police check on tax?
Background screening is a non-negotiable part of modern Australian life, especially in high-trust sectors like aged care, disability support, and education. While these checks are essential for safety, they do come with a cost. Understanding the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) guidelines on these expenses can help you maximize your refund and ensure you aren’t paying more for your professional compliance than you have to.
In this comprehensive guide, we will break down the Golden Rules of tax deductibility for police checks and help you determine if you are eligible for a deduction this financial year.
The ATO Rule of Thumb: Pre-Employment vs. Ongoing Compliance
The most important factor in determining if can you claim a police check on tax is the timing of the expense. The ATO operates on a principle often referred to as the point too soon doctrine.
The Point Too Soon Doctrine (Not Deductible)
If you are currently looking for work and you pay for a National Police Check to add to your resume or as a prerequisite for a job application, the ATO generally views this as a private expense. Why? Because you incurred the cost to put yourself in a position to earn income, rather than incurring it while you were already earning that income. The tax office views pre-employment checks as occurring too early to be directly associated with your assessable income.
Ongoing Employment Requirements (Deductible)
The scenario changes significantly once you are already employed. If your current employer or industry regulator requires you to maintain a current clearance, meaning you have to pay for a renewal or a fresh check every one to three years, this cost is usually deductible. In this case, the expense is directly related to your ability to continue earning your current income.
Key Takeaway: If you’re getting a check to get a job, you likely can’t claim it. If you’re getting a check to keep your job, you likely can.
Industry Breakdown: Who Can You Claim a Police Check on Tax For?
Certain industries have mandatory renewal cycles, making it much easier for workers in these fields to justify a tax deduction. Let’s look at how this applies to some of Australia’s most vital sectors.
Healthcare and Aged Care
AHPRA or individual facilities often require nurses, doctors, and aged care workers to provide updated police clearances regularly. Because you must complete these to maintain your professional registration or employment status, the tax office typically considers them a work-related expense. When considering can you claim a police check on tax in healthcare, the answer is almost always a Yes for renewals.
NDIS and Disability Support
The NDIS Worker Screening Check is a specific requirement for many in this sector. If you must refresh this clearance to continue working with NDIS participants, you can generally deduct the out of pocket cost, similar to a National Police Check.
Education and Childcare
Teachers and childcare workers often need both a Working with Children Check (WWCC) and a standard police check. While a WWCC usually lasts for several years, a school board or childcare centre can require an active employee to obtain a standard police check, and you can often claim this cost on your tax return.
Transport and Rideshare
For those in the gig economy or transport sector, such as Uber drivers or couriers, regular background checks are often a platform requirement. If you are already active on the platform and are required to provide a new check to maintain your active status, this is a legitimate business expense.
What You Cannot Claim: Common Pitfalls
While we all want to maximize our deductions, it’s important to stay within the ATO’s boundaries to avoid audits or penalties. Even if you are in a high-compliance industry, there are scenarios where you cannot claim the cost.
- Volunteer Checks: Many people undergo a police check to volunteer at a local sports club or charity. Because there is no assessable income associated with volunteer work, you cannot claim this expense on your tax return.
- Reimbursed Expenses: If you paid for the police check, but your employer paid you back, you cannot claim it as a deduction. You only claim what you are personally out of pocket for.
- Commuting and Private Use: If you obtained a police check for a private reason, such as an adoption application or a personal visa, this is strictly a private expense and is not deductible.
How to Claim Your Police Check at Tax Time
If you’ve determined that you meet the criteria for a deduction, the next step is knowing where to put it on your tax return.
Label D5: Other Work Related Expenses
Most individuals will claim the cost of their police check under Other Work Related Expenses. This section is designed for miscellaneous costs like union fees, professional subscriptions, and, of course, background clearances.
The $300 Rule
The ATO allows you to claim up to $300 in total work-related expenses without needing formal receipts. However, since a police check usually comes with a clear digital receipt, it is always safer to keep the documentation regardless of your total claim amount.
Record Keeping: Why Your Rapid Screening Receipt is Vital
The foundation of any successful tax claim is substantiation. If you are audited, the ATO will want to see proof that the expense was incurred. When you use Rapid Screening for your compliance needs, we provide a clear, GST compliant tax invoice via email as soon as your payment is processed.
When wondering can you claim a police check on tax, having a digital paper trail is your best defense. We recommend:
- Saving the PDF Invoice: Create a “Tax 2026” folder in your email or cloud storage.
- Checking the Date: Ensure the date of the invoice falls within the correct financial year.
- Note the Purpose: On the receipt, it’s a good idea to jot down a quick note.
Conclusion: Simplifying Your Compliance Journey
Understanding the nuances of the tax system helps ensure that the cost of doing business in Australia doesn’t weigh you down. The answer to can you claim a police check on tax essentially boils down to your current employment status. If you are a professional staying on top of your ongoing compliance, you are likely entitled to a bit of relief come July.
At Rapid Screening, we are committed to making the compliance process as fast and transparent as possible. By providing instant receipts and 2-hour turnaround times for 70% of our checks, we help you get back to work and back to what matters, sooner.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q) Can you claim a police check on tax if you are a sole trader?
Yes. If you are a sole trader or contractor, the cost of a police check is a business operating expense. You would typically claim this as a business deduction rather than a work-related employee deduction.
Q) Can you claim a police check on tax if the job offer was rescinded?
Generally, no. If the job didn’t start, the expense remains pre employment and doesn’t have a sufficient nexus to earn income. It is still considered a cost incurred in searching for work.
Q) Can you claim a police check on tax for a Working with Children Check?
Yes, the same rules apply. If the WWCC is required to keep your current job as a teacher, coach, or carer, it is generally deductible. If it’s your first one to enter the industry, it usually isn’t.
Q) What if my employer paid for the check directly?
If your employer paid the provider directly, you haven’t incurred an expense. Therefore, there is nothing for you to claim on your individual tax return.
Q) Does the ATO check these small deductions?
The ATO uses sophisticated data matching. While a single police check is a small amount, they look at Other Work Related Expenses as a whole. Having your Rapid Screening receipt ready ensures you are prepared for any queries.
Q) Can I claim the GST component?
As an employee, you claim the total cost as a deduction. If you are a GST registered business, you claim the expense as a deduction and claim the GST back as an input tax credit on your BAS.
Q) Can you claim a police check on tax if you need it for a promotion?
If you are moving to a new role within the same company and a new check is required for that promotion, this is often deductible because you are already in an established employment relationship with that employer.
Q) How long should I keep my police check receipts?
The ATO recommends keeping records for five years from the date you lodge your tax return. Digital copies of your Rapid Screening invoices are perfect for this, as they don’t fade like thermal paper receipts.
