The Taxman's Rich List: 10 Surprising Deductions for Australia's Top 10 Jobs

The ATO recently released its data on the top 10 highest-paying jobs in the country, and to no one's surprise, the list is dominated by the medical profession.

It's easy to look at those high incomes and think tax is simple for them, but the truth is, the more specialised the job, the more specialised the expenses.

Today, we're peeking into the wallets of Australia's highest earners to reveal one specific, interesting, or surprising tax deduction they might be able to claim. But this isn't just financial gossip. The real takeaway is the principle: every single job has its own unique, claimable expenses, and you don't need to earn $400,000 to benefit from expert, tailored tax advice.

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The Top 10 Jobs & Their Unique Deductions

1. Surgeons (~$472,000)

• The Deduction: Lead-Lined Aprons
  

• The Why: Surgeons, especially in orthopaedics, are frequently exposed to radiation from X-rays. These heavy aprons aren't a uniform; they're critical protective equipment. Their cost, maintenance, and cleaning are all deductible.
  

2. Anaesthetists (~$447,000)

• The Deduction: High-End Smartwatches
  

• The Why: Anaesthetists rely on precise timing and rapid calculations. Many use smartwatches for drug dosage calculators, timers, or to receive critical patient alerts. As long as they can prove the work-related use, a portion of that watch is a tool of the trade.
  

3. Financial Dealers (~$355,000)

• The Deduction: Dedicated High-Speed Home Internet
  

• The Why: These professionals monitor global markets that operate outside Australian business hours. If their role requires an 'always-on', high-performance connection at home for monitoring trades, that cost is directly related to earning their income.
  

4. Internal Medicine Specialists (~$342,000)

• The Deduction: International Conference & Travel Costs
  

• The Why: It's more than just self-education. If a specialist is a recognised expert invited to speak at a major conference in Vienna or San Francisco, they can claim the flights, accommodation, and fees because they are actively sharing their expertise as part of their professional duties.
  

5. Psychiatrists (~$286,000)

• The Deduction: Calming Artwork & Furniture
  

• The Why: You might laugh, but it's true. Creating a therapeutic, safe, and calming ambiance is a direct part of the service. A carefully chosen painting isn't just decoration; it's a tool used to create the right environment for patient therapy, making it a depreciable asset.
  

6. Other Medical Practitioners (GPs) (~$260,000)

• The Deduction: Children's Play Area
  

• The Why: This is a simple but often-missed deduction for practice-owning GPs. The toys, books, and small furniture in a waiting room are expenses incurred to manage the environment and make it possible for parents with children to attend.
  

7. Mining Engineers (~$206,000)

• The Deduction: High-Protection Sunglasses
  

• The Why: Mining engineers often work in the harsh glare of open-pit mines. They can claim a deduction for high-end sunglasses with specific polarisation and UV ratings, as they are essential protective equipment required to prevent eye damage, not a fashion accessory.
  

8. Judicial & Legal Professionals (~$206,000)

• The Deduction: Barrister's "Door Fees"
  

• The Why: Barristers are often sole traders who must pay substantial fees to rent their "chambers"—a room on a shared floor with other barristers. These "door fees" cover their room, shared clerk services, and the library, and are essentially their rent.
  

9. CEOs / Managing Directors (~$195,000)

• The Deduction: Personal Brand & Public Speaking Coaching
  

• The Why: A CEO's ability to represent the company to shareholders and the media is a critical part of their role. If they pay for coaching themselves to maintain or improve these specific skills for their current role, it's a valid self-education expense.
  

10. Financial Investment Advisors (~$192,000)

• The Deduction: Professional Designation Fees
  

• The Why: If an advisor needs to obtain or maintain a certification, like becoming a Certified Financial Analyst (CFA), to keep their role or because it's required by their firm, the direct costs of study and exams can be deductible.

The Real Punchline: This Applies to You, Too

It’s not what you earn; it’s what you keep.

This list just proves one simple principle: every single job has its own set of unique, claimable expenses, whether you're a surgeon on this list or a teacher, tradie, or nurse.

You don’t need to be earning half a million dollars to benefit from expert, tailored tax advice. That's what we focus on at Aevum Accounting. Our job is to understand the specific nuances of your profession, dig deep, and make sure you're claiming everything you are legally and ethically entitled to.

Stop leaving money on the table.

Book a consultation with our team today: (https://www.aevumaccounting.com.au/bookings) and let us find the deductions you've been missing.

Disclaimer: The information and strategies shared in this article are for general informational purposes only and do not constitute specific tax or financial advice. Everyone's situation is unique, and tax laws are complex and constantly evolving. For personalized advice tailored to your specific individual or business needs, we always recommend consulting with a qualified professional at Aevum Accounting.