If a study is directly related to either prolonging or improving current occupational skills or is likely to increase the income received from your current employment then the expenses involved can be claimed as self-education expenses. If any new qualifications obtained in a different field through study, the expenses incurred are not tax deductible.

Self-education expenses typically include things such as course fees, textbooks, stationery, student union fees and the depreciation of assets such as computers, tablets and printers.

However, Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) repayments are not deductible. You must also disallow $250 of self-education expenses, which can include non-deductible amounts such as childcare costs.