Tax Deductions for Barbers in Australia: Tools, Chair Rent and Training

Who this page is for: Barbers, barber-shop employees and self-employed barbers in Australia.

Last reviewed: 2 April 2026

Quick answer

Barbers may be able to claim unreimbursed tools, professional supplies, work-related training and the work-related share of mixed-use costs. Ordinary clothing, private grooming and reimbursed expenses are still common weak-claim areas.

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.

Intro: who this guide is for

Barbering often involves clippers, scissors, trimmers, hygiene supplies, training and in some setups chair-rental or small-business admin costs. That makes barbering close to hairdressing, but not identical in day-to-day cost patterns.

If you run the shop rather than mainly work as a barber, see tax deductions for salon owners in Australia for broader rent, software, stock and chair-rental business-cost questions.

Common deductions barbers may be able to review

Tools and equipment such as clippers, trimmers, scissors, razors and tool cases used for work.
Repairs, maintenance and replacement parts for barber tools you own.
Work-related consumables or hygiene items where you paid for them personally and they were not reimbursed.
Training that maintains or improves your current barbering skills.
The work-related share of phone, internet or software costs used for bookings, client communication and business admin.

Expenses commonly not deductible

Private grooming or personal appearance costs.
Ordinary clothes that do not meet the ATO tests for deductible clothing.
Private use of phones, tools, computers or vehicles.
Any cost another party reimbursed you for.
Training that is only about entering a new field rather than improving current work skills.

Employee vs sole trader or contractor differences

Employees usually focus on unreimbursed work expenses.
Self-employed barbers may also look at chair-rental, booking software, merchant fees and other business running costs.
If you split costs with a salon owner or another barber, keep clear records of what you actually paid.

Record-keeping requirements

Keep receipts for tools, repairs, consumables and training.
Keep records that show any work-related percentages used for mixed-use costs such as phones or internet.
If you are self-employed, keep business records in a way that separates business costs from private spending.
Retain enough detail to support deductions for tools or other depreciating assets if relevant.

Common mistakes

Trying to claim personal grooming or appearance costs.
Treating ordinary black work clothes as automatically deductible.
Claiming the full cost of mixed-use phone or internet services without an apportionment method.
Letting chair-rental or shared-salon costs blur into private spending without proper records.

Frequently asked questions

Can barbers claim clippers and scissors?

They may be able to where the tools are used to earn income, the barber paid for them personally and the current ATO rules support the treatment used.

Can a barber claim work clothes?

Only some clothing categories are deductible, so it is safer not to treat ordinary work clothes as automatically claimable.

Can self-employed barbers claim chair-rental costs?

That may be relevant where the cost is genuinely tied to carrying on the business, but the records and structure still matter.

Related guides

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If you want a closer occupation match or a narrower claim question, these are the best next steps.

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.