The short answer
Yes. Union fees are tax deductible in Australia. If you pay membership fees to a trade union (or a professional association) in connection with earning your employment income, you can claim them in full as a work-related deduction — there's no dollar cap.
You claim them at D5 – Other work-related expenses in your tax return. The same rule covers professional association and licensing-body memberships. Below is exactly what qualifies, how to claim it, and the records you need.
Why union fees are deductible
The ATO (ATO guidelines) allows a deduction for expenses you incur in the course of earning assessable income. Union and professional membership fees qualify because membership relates directly to your job — it supports your conditions of employment, professional standing, or right to practise.
That makes them a standard, low-risk work-related deduction. Unlike some claims, there's no apportionment for private use — the fee is 100% work-related.
What you can claim
| Expense | Deductible? | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Trade union membership fees | ✅ Yes, in full | D5 |
| Professional association fees (e.g. CPA, Engineers Australia, AHPRA) | ✅ Yes, in full | D5 |
| Licences/registrations needed for your job | ✅ Usually | D5 / D5 |
| Subscriptions to trade/professional journals | ✅ Yes | D5 |
| The small "joining fee" to start membership | ✅ Yes | D5 |
What you generally can't claim
- Non-deductible portions some unions bundle in — a few unions include a slice for things like a fighting/strike fund, political donations, or member benefit insurance. Those parts aren't deductible. Your union's annual statement shows the deductible amount — claim that figure, not the gross.
- Fees for a job you don't yet hold (membership taken out to break into a new field, before you earn income from it).
- Fines or penalties imposed by a professional body.
How to claim union fees in myTax (step by step)
If you use AusTax AI, upload your union's annual statement or a payslip showing the deduction and the AI will categorise it for you, then export a summary that maps straight to the D5 field.
Records you need
- Keep evidence — your union's annual statement, a receipt, or payslips showing the fees deducted from your pay. Many income statements (the old "group certificate") show union fees in the deductions area.
- The $300 rule: if your total work-related deductions for the year are AU$300 or less, you don't need written evidence (but the expense must still be real). Above AU$300 total, you need records for the whole claim — so keep the union statement regardless.
- Records should be kept for 5 years from the date you lodge.
Worked example
Priya, a registered nurse, pays AU$612 in union fees over FY2025–26. Her union's annual statement shows AU$590 is the deductible portion (AU$22 went to a member benefit fund). She also pays AU$175 in AHPRA registration.
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Priya claims AU$590 + AU$175 = AU$765 at D5. At her 34.5% marginal rate (32% bracket + 2% Medicare + 0.5% on that band), that reduces her tax by roughly AU$264.
The fee paid to belong to your profession quietly pays part of itself back every year — but only if you actually claim it. It's one of the most commonly missed deductions for salaried employees who lodge in a hurry.
Where AusTax AI fits
Union and professional fees are exactly the kind of "set-and-forget" deduction people forget at tax time. AusTax AI:
- Reads your statements and payslips, surfaces the deductible amount, and reminds you to claim it — analyse your documents free.
- Applies occupation-specific rules — nurses, teachers, engineers, and trades each have typical memberships and licences the AI knows to look for.
- Estimates the refund impact with the tax refund calculator before you lodge.
Need a professional? Browse every TPB-registered tax agent near you in the AusTax directory, or post a request and matching practices will contact you — free.
Need Help With Your Tax Return?
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*Disclaimer: This is general information only and does not constitute personal tax advice. Consult a registered tax agent for advice tailored to your specific situation. Always verify against the latest ATO guidelines at ato.gov.au.*
The bottom line
Union fees are tax deductible in Australia — claim the deductible amount shown on your union's annual statement at D5, along with any professional association or licence fees. Keep the statement for five years, and don't let one of the easiest deductions slip through because you lodged on autopilot.