As the End of Financial Year (EOFY) approaches, many Australians start sorting through receipts, reviewing expenses and looking for legitimate ways to maximise their tax return. One question that comes up every year is:

Can training courses or professional development be claimed on tax?

The short answer is: sometimes. Depending on your circumstances and the type of training you undertake.

For many workers, self-education and industry-related training may be connected to their current employment or income-producing activities. This can make certain study expenses potentially deductible at tax time.

But there are important rules around what can and cannot be claimed.

Whether you work in beauty, body piercing, cosmetic tattooing, retail beauty, support work, healthcare or another service based industry, understanding how self education expenses work can help you make more informed decisions about training and career development.

Important Disclaimer

This article provides general information only and should not be considered financial or tax advice. Tax laws and eligibility requirements can change, and every person’s circumstances are different. Before claiming any training or self-education expenses, you should seek advice from a qualified accountant or refer directly to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) for current information.

 

Why So Many Australians Search This During EOFY

June is one of the busiest times of year for people researching:

• Tax deductions
• Work-related expenses
• Professional development
• Self-education claims
• Training deductions

That is because many workers begin reviewing the money they have spent throughout the year on improving their skills, qualifications and employability.

For some people, training is not just about career progression, it may also form part of their broader financial planning.

EOFY often becomes the trigger point where workers decide to finally invest in themselves professionally, especially when they realise that some study-related expenses may potentially be claimable under the right circumstances.

 

What Are Self-Education Expenses?

Self-education expenses generally refer to costs associated with courses, training, education or professional development that relate to your work or current income producing activities.

These expenses may include training designed to:

• Improve existing job skills
• Maintain professional knowledge
• Increase competency within your current role
• Meet industry requirements
• Support career progression within your current field

Examples may include:

• Infection control training
• Industry compliance courses
• Professional development workshops
• Refresher training
• Advanced technique training
• Licensing or certification updates

However, not all education expenses are automatically deductible.

The training generally needs to have a sufficient connection to your current employment or income-earning activities.

 

When Training May Be Deductible

According to the ATO, self-education expenses may be deductible when the course or training:

• Maintains or improves skills required in your current job
• Is likely to increase your income in your current role
• Has a direct connection to your existing employment

This means workers who complete training relevant to their current industry may potentially be eligible to claim certain expenses.

For example:

• A beauty therapist completing advanced skin or cosmetic tattoo training
• A body piercer undertaking updated infection control education
• A support worker completing additional compliance or care-related training
• A retail beauty employee completing product knowledge or treatment education related to their current role

In these cases, the training may support or improve the skills already used within their employment.

 

When Training May Not Be Deductible

There are also situations where training expenses may not be claimable.

Generally, education expenses are less likely to be deductible if the training is:

• Unrelated to your current employment
• Designed to help you enter a completely new industry
• Undertaken before earning income in that field
• Too general or personal in nature

For example:

• Someone working in retail who studies an unrelated healthcare qualification
• A person completing training for a career they have not yet entered
• Study undertaken purely for personal interest or hobbies

The distinction often comes down to whether the training directly relates to how you currently earn your income.

Because these rules can become complex, it is important to speak with an accountant or tax professional before making assumptions about what you can claim.

 

Common Training Expenses That May Be Relevant

Depending on eligibility, some self-education-related expenses may include:

• Course or tuition fees
• Textbooks and learning materials
• Equipment required for study
• Stationery and supplies
• Internet usage related to study
• Travel between work and training
• Professional subscriptions related to the course

Again, this depends on your personal circumstances and whether the expenses meet ATO requirements.

Good record keeping is essential if you intend to claim any work-related education expenses.

 

Why Record Keeping Matters

One of the most important parts of claiming any deduction is maintaining proper documentation.

If you plan to discuss training expenses with your accountant, it is important to keep records such as:

• Invoices
• Receipts
• Proof of payment
• Course enrolment documents
• Training completion certificates
• Study-related expense records

Without documentation, it may become difficult to support any claim.

Digital record keeping has become increasingly important, especially for online learning and flexible training programs.

Creating folders for:

• Receipts
• Emails
• Tax invoices
• Course materials
• Payment confirmations

can make EOFY preparation significantly easier.

 

Why Upskilling Still Matters — Even Beyond Tax Time

While tax deductions can be helpful, the long-term value of training usually extends far beyond EOFY.

Training and upskilling can help workers:

• Improve employability
• Increase confidence
• Expand career opportunities
• Access promotions
• Increase earning potential
• Stay competitive in changing industries

In many industries, ongoing education is becoming increasingly important as regulations, client expectations and workplace standards evolve.

Employers often look favourably on workers who actively invest in professional development because it demonstrates initiative, commitment, and industry engagement.

 

Industries Where Training Continues to Grow

Body Piercing

The body piercing industry has become increasingly focused on professionalism, safety, hygiene, and infection prevention.

Clients today are more informed about safe practices and often prefer practitioners who have undertaken recognised training and continue updating their knowledge.

Industry-related education in areas such as infection control and advanced piercing techniques may help practitioners strengthen their credibility and professional standards.

 

Beauty Therapy

The beauty industry evolves constantly with new treatments, products, technologies and client expectations.

Beauty therapists often undertake additional training to:

• Expand service offerings
• Improve treatment knowledge
• Stay current with trends
• Increase client trust

Ongoing education can play an important role in long-term career growth within the beauty sector.

 

Cosmetic Tattooing

Cosmetic tattooing continues to experience strong demand across Australia.

As the industry grows, so does the importance of proper training, hygiene knowledge, consultation skill and infection control education.

Workers already operating within beauty or cosmetic industries may seek additional specialised training to expand their services and improve business opportunities.

 

Infection Control

Infection control training has become increasingly valuable across multiple industries, including:

• Beauty
• Body art
• Healthcare support
• Cosmetic procedures
• Community services

Strong infection prevention knowledge supports workplace safety, client protection, and professional compliance.

Because infection control applies across so many industries, it remains one of the most relevant areas of professional development.

 

Support Work

Support work and community services continue to experience strong demand throughout Australia.

Additional training can help support workers:

• Build confidence
• Improve care knowledge
• Expand employment opportunities
• Meet workplace compliance requirements

As the industry continues growing, employers increasingly value workers who invest in professional development and ongoing learning.

 

Retail Beauty

Retail beauty positions today often involve much more than basic sales.

Employers increasingly seek staff who understand:

• Product ingredients
• Skin concerns
• Client consultation
• Hygiene practices
• Treatment recommendations

Training and industry education can help retail beauty workers strengthen customer service skills while opening pathways into broader beauty careers.

 

Gap Training vs Full Qualifications

Not everyone needs to complete a full qualification to benefit from professional development.

Sometimes shorter industry-related courses or gap training programs may provide enough upskilling to strengthen existing knowledge.

Gap training is often suitable for workers who:

• Already work within the industry
• Need updated knowledge
• Want refresher training
• Are adding additional services
• Need compliance-related education

Full qualifications may be more appropriate for people entering entirely new industries or building long-term career pathways.

Understanding your career goals can help determine which type of training best suits your situation.

 

EOFY Is Often the Best Time to Invest in Training

Many people choose EOFY to enrol in courses because it naturally aligns with:

• Financial planning
• Career goal setting
• Professional development
• Budget reviews
• Business planning

EOFY promotions and training specials also commonly appear during June, making it an attractive time for workers to begin upskilling.

For people who have been delaying career development, EOFY can act as a practical reset point to finally take action.

 

Training Is an Investment in Long-Term Career Growth

While potential tax deductions may help reduce some costs for eligible workers, the biggest value of training is often the long-term career impact.

Professional development can help create:

• Better employment opportunities
• Greater job security
• Improved confidence
• Higher income potential
• Stronger industry credibility

Industries continue changing rapidly, and workers who continue learning are often better positioned to adapt and grow professionally.

Even a short course can sometimes create opportunities that lead to larger career progression over time.

Training and professional development may potentially offer both career and financial benefits for Australian workers — particularly when the education directly relates to current employment or income-producing activities.

However, understanding what can and cannot be claimed is important.

Before claiming any self-education expenses, always seek advice from a qualified accountant or check directly with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) to ensure your claim is appropriate for your circumstances.

Whether you are working in body piercing, beauty therapy, cosmetic tattooing, infection control, support work, or retail beauty, investing in your skills can help strengthen your future career opportunities long after EOFY has passed.

 

- Jaz Anna