How Tax Deductions Work for Surveyors
Surveyors can claim GPS and GNSS surveying equipment, total stations, levels and measuring tools, laptops, tablets and surveying software, protective boots, high-visibility clothing and PPE, sun protection, professional membership fees and licence renewals, travel between survey sites and client locations, CPD, and home office running expenses. Normal travel between home and a regular workplace, initial professional registration, and a dog used only to guard tools are not deductible. You can only claim the work-related portion, and only where you paid for it yourself and kept receipts.
The deductions available can differ depending on whether you work as an employee, contractor, sole trader or surveying business owner.
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 surveyors may be able to claim in Australia.
Surveyors in Australia: Employment Overview
- Average weekly pay: 1,796.30
- Employment size: 12,180
- Future growth: Decline
- Skill level: Bachelor Degree or Higher
Surveyor Tax Deduction Checklist
| Expense | Potentially claimable? | Main condition |
|---|---|---|
| Travel between survey sites | Potentially | Must occur while performing work duties |
| Travel to client or project locations | Potentially | Must directly relate to current work |
| Normal travel from home to a regular workplace | Generally no | Usually considered private commuting |
| Transporting essential bulky equipment | Limited cases | Equipment must be essential, bulky and not securely stored at work |
| GPS and GNSS surveying equipment | Potentially | Must be used to earn income |
| Total stations, levels and measuring tools | Potentially | Work-related portion only |
| Laptop, tablet and surveying software | Potentially | Private use must be excluded |
| Protective boots, high-vis clothing and PPE | Potentially | Must protect against a workplace risk |
| Sunscreen, sunglasses and sun hats | Potentially | Must relate to outdoor work |
| Annual professional membership fees | Potentially | Must relate to current surveying work |
| Licence or registration renewals | Potentially | Must be required for the current role |
| Initial professional registration | Generally no | Usually enables entry into the profession |
| Relevant CPD and conferences | Potentially | Must maintain or improve current skills |
| Overnight fieldwork expenses | Potentially | Must require staying away from home for work |
| Home-office running expenses | Potentially | Substantive work and records are required |
| Dog used only to guard tools | Generally no | Usually lacks the required employment connection |
| Employer-reimbursed expenses | No | You did not ultimately bear the cost |
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 materials, or attend training courses.
- Phone and internet – work %.
- Dogs, when used at worksites to guard tools against theft. The vet bills and pet food bills may qualify as a tax deduction.
- Overnight travel expenses when attending different workplaces or for training purposes – includes airfares, meals and accommodation.
- Protective clothing including safety-coloured vests, steel-capped boots, gloves, overalls, and wet weather gear.
- Compulsory work uniform branded with the employers logo.
- Sun protection costs including sunglasses, sunscreen and cosmetics.
- Union fees, licences, registrations and subscriptions.
- Courses, seminars and self-education expenses.
- Computers, tools and equipment.
- Home office running expenses.
Tax Strategies we can assist you with.
- Self-education expenses
- Sunglasses, sunscreens and cosmetics
- Computers, tools, equipment and other assets
- Compulsory work uniform
- Logbook for motor vehicles
- Tax deductible dogs
- Union fees, licences, registrations and subscriptions
- Phone and internet
- Home office running expenses
- Overnight travel expenses
Click here to see Tax Calculator for Surveyors.
Surveyor Tax Deduction FAQs
What can surveyors claim on tax in 2026?
Surveyors may be able to claim eligible travel between sites, surveying equipment, protective clothing, professional memberships, training and the work-related portion of phone and home-office expenses.
Can surveyors claim GPS and measuring equipment?
Personally purchased GPS devices, total stations, levels, measuring tools and field equipment may be deductible to the extent they are used to earn income and were not reimbursed.
Can surveyors claim travel between sites?
Travel between project sites, clients and separate workplaces may be deductible when undertaken while performing work duties. Ordinary home-to-work travel is generally private.
Can surveyors claim travel from home to a worksite?
Home-to-work travel is generally private. Limited exceptions may apply where the surveyor’s work is genuinely itinerant or essential bulky equipment must be transported and cannot be securely stored at work.
Can surveyors claim safety boots and high-visibility clothing?
Steel-capped boots, high-visibility clothing and other PPE may be deductible when they protect against a genuine workplace risk and were purchased personally.
Last updated: 14 July 2026
