Light-vehicle, heavy-vehicle, truck and panel-shop mechanics all sit under different licensing regimes — but the deduction profile rhymes. A registered tax agent in Melton who already works with the trade saves you the explainer.
Melton runs on its tradies' utes and its families' cars — both end up on a mechanic's hoist sooner or later. We work the same way: fixed fee, no surprises, on time.
Snap-on tool sets, OBD scanners, multimeters, brake-fluid testers — under $300 immediate, above depreciate. Specialist diagnostic gear (oscilloscopes, smoke machines) usually depreciates over 3–5 years.
Workshop overalls with the dealer or shop logo, steel-cap boots, eye and ear protection, mechanic's gloves. Plain T-shirts you wear to work without branding don't qualify.
Manufacturer-specific training (Toyota, Mercedes, etc.), hybrid and EV battery handling certifications, A/C licence renewals (ARC), and safety-recall update programmes. Adding EV is a strong deduction lane right now.
Workshop manuals (Mitchell, Haynes Pro, AllData), AAAA membership, MTAA fees, AUTOSafe subscriptions and similar.
If you travel between two workshops in a day or attend off-site jobs, the work portion is claimable. Driving from home to your usual shop is private commuting.
Defensible via four-week diary; usually 30–60% for in-shop mechanics, higher for mobile mechanics.
Parts you fit to your own car aren't deductible just because they passed through the shop. They're private spending unless the car is a genuine work-only vehicle.
Roller cabinets, modular tool storage and large chests above the threshold depreciate — they don't write off in the purchase year unless instant-asset rules apply.
Prescription safety glasses required for the workshop are deductible — many mechanics miss this every year.
Can't find what you need? Call (03) 8732 2126 or email info@taxtracker.com.au.
Complimentary 15-minute discovery call. We'll confirm whether a personal return, sole-trader return or company structure suits, and quote you in writing — same day.
Tax Tracker is based in Strathtulloh and works with individuals, sole traders and small businesses right across the Melton corridor. Every appointment is video, phone or by-arrangement in-person — no commute required.

A modern, registered tax agent based in Strathtulloh, VIC. Helping individuals and businesses across Australia since October 2024.