Benefits Hub
Professional Fees, Self Education & Airport Lounges
Role-relevant professional expenses can be packaged as FBT-exempt benefits - saving you the income tax on costs you'd pay anyway to do your job.
Available to
All
employer types
Three types of eligible expenses
Each category has one essential test: the expense must be directly relevant to your current employment.
Professional Memberships & Fees
Professional body memberships, registration fees and work-related subscriptions that are directly relevant to your current employment. Examples include nursing or medical registration (AHPRA), accounting or legal professional memberships, and industry-specific subscriptions used in the course of your role.
Must be directly relevant to your current role - not just your profession generally.
Self Education
Course fees and study expenses may be packaged where the education is directly related to your current employment - maintaining or improving skills you actually use in your current role today. Seminars, professional development programs and short courses that support your existing role can qualify.
Study for a new career or qualification generally does not qualify - even if it's in a related field.
Airport Lounge Memberships
Where you regularly travel for work and hold an airport lounge membership primarily for that purpose, the membership may be eligible as a work-related travel expense. Evidence of work travel frequency is important to support the claim.
Membership held predominantly for personal travel would not typically qualify.
Likely to qualify
AHPRA registration for a nurse or doctor currently practising
CPA or CA membership for a currently employed accountant
Law Society practising certificate for a solicitor
A short course directly improving your current role skills
Airport lounge membership used primarily for work travel
Generally does NOT qualify
Study for a degree to change career fields entirely
Professional membership in a field you don't currently work in
Airport lounge mostly used for personal/leisure travel
General self-improvement courses not tied to your current role
Professional development that leads to a new, different role
Records to keep: Invoices or receipts, confirmation of your professional body membership, and documentation linking the expense to your current role. Retain everything for at least 5 years.
How much could you save?
Savings Estimator
Indicative figures only - not a guarantee or financial advice
Up to ~$5,000 / yr
$750
Estimated annual saving
$29
Per fortnight saving
30%
Your marginal tax rate
Saving is the marginal tax on eligible professional fees. Eligibility depends on role relevance. Figures are indicative only and do not constitute financial or taxation advice. Actual savings depend on your personal circumstances, employer setup and current ATO rules. Where the standard 2% Medicare levy is included, it applies whether or not you hold private hospital cover; the Medicare Levy Surcharge is not included.
Got professional fees or study costs coming up?
Our team will confirm eligibility and set up the arrangement quickly.
Disclaimer: General information only. Not financial, taxation or legal advice. Eligibility depends on the nature of the expense, your role, your employer's FBT status and current ATO rules.