How Tax Deductions Work for Optometrists and Orthoptists
Optometrists and orthoptists can claim annual registration renewal and professional memberships, clinical and diagnostic equipment, laptops and clinical software, professional indemnity and income protection insurance, compulsory uniforms and protective safety glasses, travel between clinics, hospitals and outreach locations, CPD and conferences, and home office expenses. Normal travel between home and your regular clinic, initial professional registration, and prescription glasses or contact lenses are not deductible. Claims must relate to your current role, be paid for personally, and be supported by records.
To claim an expense, you generally need to have paid for it yourself without reimbursement, it must directly relate to earning your income, and you must keep appropriate records.
This 2026 guide explains the main tax deductions optometrists and orthoptists may be able to claim in Australia, whether they work as employees, contractors or private practitioners.
Optometrists and Orthoptists: Employment Overview
- Average weekly pay: $2,415
- Employment size: 5,775
- Future growth: Strong
- Skill level: Bachelor Degree or Higher
Optometrist and Orthoptist Tax Deduction Checklist for 2026
| Expense | Potentially claimable? | Main condition |
|---|---|---|
| Travel between clinics or hospitals | Potentially | Must occur while performing work duties |
| Travel to patients or outreach locations | Potentially | Must directly relate to current work |
| Normal travel from home to a regular clinic | Generally no | Usually considered private travel |
| Clinical and diagnostic equipment | Potentially | Must be used to earn income |
| Laptop, tablet and clinical software | Potentially | Claim only the work-related portion |
| Annual professional registration renewal | Potentially | Must be required for the current role |
| Initial professional registration | Generally no | Usually enables entry into the profession |
| Professional membership fees | Potentially | Must relate to current work |
| CPD, conferences and seminars | Potentially | Must maintain or improve current skills |
| Professional indemnity insurance | Potentially | Must relate to current professional duties |
| Income protection insurance | Potentially | Only the eligible income-protection component |
| Compulsory or distinctive uniform | Potentially | Must satisfy the ATO clothing rules |
| Prescription glasses or contact lenses | Generally no | Usually considered private |
| Protective safety glasses | Potentially | Must protect against a work-related risk |
| Home-office expenses | Potentially | Substantive duties and records are required |
| Employer-reimbursed expenses | No | You did not ultimately bear the cost |
Typical tax deductions include:
- Motor vehicle travel between hospitals, clinics, and visiting patients.
- Motor vehicle travel to and from work if having either shifting workplaces (working at more than one site each day before returning home), or transporting bulky equipment.
- Phone and internet – work %.
- Overnight travel expenses attending medical conferences, seminars, and training courses – includes airfares, accommodation, meals, and incidentals.
- Self-education courses.
- Magazines, books and journals related to health and medicine.
- Medical defence and income protection insurance.
- Compulsory work uniform branded with the employer’s logo.
- Computers, tools and equipment.
- Union fees, licences, registrations and subscriptions.
- Home office running expenses.
- Overseas conferences, courses and study tours.
Professional memberships.
Non-deductible expenses:
- Travel for industry functions which includes entertainment, e.g. three-course meal, band, and alcoholic drinks.
Tax Strategies we can assist you with.
- Self-education expenses
- Overseas conferences, courses and study tours
- Computers, tools, equipment and other assets
- Compulsory work uniform
- Union fees, licences, registrations and subscriptions
- Phone and internet
- Motor vehicle expenses: cents per km method
- Home office running expenses
- Handbags, briefcases and satchels
- Overnight travel expenses
Click here to see Tax Calculator for Optometrists and Orthoptists.
Optometrist and Orthoptist Tax Deduction FAQs
What can optometrists claim on tax in 2026?
Optometrists may be able to claim eligible clinical equipment, registration renewals, professional memberships, CPD, work-related travel, insurance and the work-related portion of phone and home-office expenses.
What can orthoptists claim on tax?
Orthoptists may be able to claim assessment resources, therapy equipment, professional fees, relevant training, travel between workplaces and other expenses directly related to current duties.
Can optometrists claim prescription glasses?
Prescription glasses and contact lenses are generally private and not deductible. Protective safety glasses may qualify when required against a work-related risk.
Can optometrists claim professional registration fees?
Annual registration or practising-certificate renewal fees required to continue working may be deductible. Initial registration costs are generally not claimable.
Can optometrists claim clinical equipment?
Personally purchased diagnostic tools, clinical devices and professional resources may be deductible to the extent they are used to earn income and were not reimbursed.
Last updated: 14 July 2026
