Can Uber Drivers Claim Fuel? (Australia Guide)

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Who this page is for: Uber drivers and other ride-sourcing operators in Australia who want a clear starting point on fuel costs.

Last reviewed: 2 April 2026

Short answer

Fuel may be relevant in an Uber-driver claim, but the way it fits depends on the car-expense rules, the work use of the car and the records kept. It is safer not to treat fuel as a simple stand-alone automatic claim without checking the current ATO method rules.

  • You usually need to have paid the cost yourself.
  • The expense should relate directly to earning income or running the business.
  • Only the work-related or business-use share is usually claimable for mixed-use items.
  • Records matter just as much as the expense itself.

How fuel fits into Uber-driver deductions

  • Fuel usually sits inside the broader car-expense picture rather than operating as a free-standing shortcut claim.
  • The method you use and the records you keep matter just as much as the fact that you bought fuel.
  • If the car is used for both ride-sourcing and private travel, private use still needs to be excluded.

Related live page: Work-Related Car Expenses in Australia (2026 Guide).

When fuel claims commonly go wrong

  • Treating all fuel purchases as deductible without thinking about private use.
  • Ignoring the method rules and the records needed to support the claim.
  • Using someone else’s car without checking whether the deduction position changes.
  • Forgetting that GST and business-structure issues may also matter in ride-sourcing.

Records to keep

  • Keep the records needed for the car-expense method you use.
  • Keep enough evidence to explain the work-related use of the car.
  • Keep receipts or other support where the method requires them.
  • If you borrow or use another person’s car, keep records showing what you actually paid.

Related live page: What Records Do I Need for Work-Related Car Claims?.

Common mistakes

  • Claiming fuel without thinking about the rest of the car-expense rules.
  • Assuming every kilometre driven is work-related.
  • Leaving records until tax time instead of collecting them during the year.
  • Mixing ride-sourcing claims with unrelated private motoring costs.

Frequently asked questions

Can Uber drivers claim fuel if they also use the car privately?

They may be able to claim only the work-related part where the current ATO rules and the records support that treatment.

Do Uber drivers need receipts for fuel?

That depends on the method and setup, so it is better to think about records as part of the whole car claim rather than fuel on its own.

What if the Uber driver uses someone else's car?

The deduction position can change, so that setup should be checked carefully against the current ATO ride-sourcing guidance.

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Review note, sources and disclaimer

Reviewed by: Australia Tax Deductions editorial team

Last reviewed: 25 March 2026

How this page is framed: This page is written in plain English, anchored to official ATO guidance and designed as educational information only.

Methodology: See the Editorial Policy and Review Methodology pages for how the site handles source checking and updates.

Primary references

General educational information only. Tax outcomes depend on your circumstances, records, business structure and the current ATO rules. Check the latest official guidance or speak with a registered tax professional before acting on any deduction claim.