Can I claim petrol receipts on tax in Australia?

Yes — petrol is a legitimate work-related deduction in Australia, but only for kilometres driven for work purposes. The commute between home and your regular workplace does not count. How you keep the records depends on which claiming method you use.

The two methods for claiming car expenses

Cents per kilometre

You claim a flat rate (78 cents per kilometre for the 2024–25 financial year) for every work kilometre you drive, up to 5,000 kilometres. Under this method, you do not need fuel receipts — the rate covers all car running costs. You need to be able to show how you calculated your work kilometres, but you do not need a logbook.

Logbook method

You keep a logbook for at least 12 continuous weeks to establish your business use percentage. You then claim that percentage of all actual car expenses for the full year — including fuel, registration, insurance, servicing, and depreciation. Under this method, petrol receipts matter. You need to keep them for the full year and for five years after you lodge your return.

Which method suits you?

The cents-per-kilometre method is simpler and has no receipt requirement for fuel. It suits people who drive moderate work distances. The logbook method typically produces a larger deduction for people who use their car heavily for work, but requires more record-keeping.

What counts as work travel?

Travelling between two different workplaces, visiting clients or customers, attending work-related conferences, and transporting bulky tools you cannot leave at work all count. Driving from home to your regular workplace does not — even if you work from home some days and need to attend the office on others.

Keeping the records

If you use the logbook method, photograph your fuel receipts at the pump or forward email receipts from pay-at-pump services. A receipt app keeps these organised alongside your other deductions, making the end-of-year calculation straightforward.