Working with cranes and heavy loads at height means safety is everything, and that requires buying very specific gear. If you’re paying for your own tools, tracking those crane rigging work expenses is an absolute must. This quick guide breaks down the exact tax deductions riggers can claim. Read through these construction safety tax tips before submitting your industrial rigging tax return to make sure you get your full heavy lifting tax refund.
Rigging and Lifting Technician Income and Expense Tax Guide
Riggers work across construction, mining, oil and gas, cranes, civil projects, demolition and industrial sites. Duties include lifting, moving and securing loads; setting up rigging gear; signalling and directing crane operators; assembling scaffolding and structures; installing safety systems; performing pre-start checks; and complying with strict WHS, dogging and rigging regulations. The role requires high-vis PPE, specialised tickets, strong safety skills and frequent work across multiple sites.
Typical Tax Deductions Include:
- Protective clothing & PPE – Steel-capped boots, gloves, high-vis gear, hard hat, safety glasses, and wet-weather gear if required for work
- Laundry of compulsory PPE – Deductible
- Rigging tools & equipment – Shackles, slings, taglines, tool belts, spanners, and harness accessories (depreciate items over $300)
- Safety equipment – Harnesses, lanyards, and fall-arrest gear if personally purchased and not provided by employer
- Training & tickets – Dogging/rigging tickets (basic, intermediate, advanced), VOCs, WHS induction, and first aid
- Phone & internet – Apportion for work-related communication, crew messaging, and shift updates
- Work-related travel – Travel between sites, depots, laydown areas, or workshops (excluding home ↔ main site)
- Vehicle expenses – If transporting tools or working across multiple sites (logbook or km method)
- Reference materials – Rigging codes, lifting charts, and safety manuals
- Home-office running expenses (approved method) – Online training, safety reporting, and documentation from home
- Toolboxes/bags – Deductible if used solely for carrying rigging tools
Non-Deductible Expenses Include:
- Everyday clothing – Not deductible unless compulsory or protective
- Travel (home ↔ worksite or depot) – Private commuting expense
- Meals, coffee, drinks – Private expense
- Gym/fitness costs – Private expense
- Tools used personally (e.g., home repairs) – Must apportion; only the work-related portion is deductible
- Home-office occupancy costs – Not deductible unless strict ATO criteria are met
- Phone or vehicle (100% claims) – Must apportion for private use; only the work-related portion is deductible
- PPE not required by employer – Not deductible
Click here to see Tax Calculator for Rigging & lifting technician.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What safety gear can I write off?
Mandatory items like steel-capped boots, hard hats, harnesses, and hi-vis wear make up a huge chunk of your rigging technician tax deductions. You can even claim the washing costs.
2. Can I claim my tickets and union fees?
Yes. Paying for your High Risk Work licence renewals, specific lifting tickets, and union fees are completely valid on a rigger tax return.
3. How do I claim my tools?
Spanners, podger pins, and tool belts are fully deductible. Just keep in mind that anything over $300 has to be depreciated over a few years under standard lifting technician tax deductions.
4. What travel is allowed?
Your drive to the main depot doesn’t count. But if you take your own ute to different construction sites throughout the day, keep a logbook to claim the kilometers.
5. Can I claim my phone bill?
If you use your personal phone to coordinate lifts, check safety apps, or talk to the site manager, figure out the work-related percentage for an easy deduction.
