How Tax Deductions Work for Medical Scientists and Laboratory Technicians
Medical scientists and laboratory technicians may personally pay for protective equipment, scientific tools, professional development, memberships, work-related travel, and administrative duties completed from home.
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 medical scientists, laboratory technicians and related professionals may be able to claim in Australia.
Medical Scientists and Laboratory Technicians: Employment Overview
- Average weekly pay: $1,688.35
- Employment size: 25,090
- Future growth: Moderate
- Skill level: Bachelor Degree or Higher
Typical tax deductions include:
- 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.
- Motor vehicle travel between job sites, to pick up equipment, or attend training courses.
- Computers, tools and equipment.
- Phone and internet – work %.
- Overnight travel expenses attending different workplaces or for training – includes airfares, meals and accommodation.
- Protective clothing including sun-protection, safety-coloured vests, steel-capped boots, and overalls.
- Overtime meals – if overtime meal allowance received under an industrial award.
- Sun protection costs including sunglasses, sunscreen, and cosmetics.
- Union fees, licences, registrations and subscriptions.
- Courses, seminars and self-education expenses.
- Home office running expenses.
- Compulsory work uniform branded with the employers logo.
Tax Strategies we can assist you with.
- Self-education expenses
- Sunglasses, sunscreens and cosmetics
- Computers, tools, equipment and other assets
- Protective clothing
- Compulsory work uniform
- Union fees, licences, registrations and subscriptions
- Phone and internet
- Motor vehicle expenses: cents per km method
- Home office running expenses
- Overnight travel expenses
Click our income tax calculator to see Tax Calculator for Medical Scientists, Technicians and Professionals.
Medical Scientist and Laboratory Technician Tax Deduction FAQs
Q1: What can medical scientists claim on tax in 2026?
Medical scientists may be able to claim eligible protective equipment, scientific tools, professional memberships, training, travel between workplaces and the work-related portion of phone and home-office expenses.
Q2: What can laboratory technicians claim on tax?
Laboratory technicians may be able to claim personally purchased PPE, work equipment, professional development, eligible travel and other expenses directly connected to their current employment.
Q3: Can medical scientists claim laboratory coats and PPE?
Protective laboratory clothing, safety glasses, gloves and other PPE may be deductible when they protect against a workplace risk and were not supplied or reimbursed by the employer.
Q4: Can laboratory technicians claim travel between workplaces?
Travel between laboratories, hospitals or testing locations may be deductible when undertaken while performing work duties. Ordinary home-to-work travel is generally private.
Q5: Can medical scientists claim scientific tools and equipment?
Personally purchased scientific tools, reference resources and work-related computer equipment may be deductible to the extent they are used for employment and were not reimbursed.
Last updated: 14 July 2026
