For most people, “tax” means logging into myGov in July and hoping for a refund. But the truth every accountant knows is this: your refund is mostly decided before 30 June, not after. Once the financial year ticks over, the easy wins are gone.
With 30 June 2026 now weeks away, here are the practical, last-minute moves that individuals in Melbourne and Brisbane can still make to legally lower this year’s tax — starting with one that has a hard, use-it-or-lose-it deadline.
First, the one with a real expiry date: your unused super cap
This is the move most people don’t know about — and it genuinely disappears at midnight on 30 June 2026.
The concessional (before-tax) super contributions cap is $30,000 for 2025–26. That includes your employer’s Super Guarantee. But if you didn’t use your full cap in earlier years, you may be able to “carry forward” the unused amount from the previous five years — as long as your total super balance was under $500,000 on 30 June 2025.
Here’s the catch: the oldest slice of unused cap — from 2020–21 — expires on 30 June 2026. For someone who has barely touched their cap, that can mean $80,000+ of extra contribution room vanishing this year. Use it or lose it.
💡 Why it matters: a personal deductible contribution is generally taxed at just 15% inside super, versus your marginal rate of up to 47% outside it. For higher earners, topping up the cap is often the single biggest legal tax saving available before 30 June. See our super guide.
Two timing traps to respect:
- The money must be received by your super fund before 30 June — not just transferred. Many funds have cut-offs in mid-to-late June, so don’t leave it to the last day.
- If you’re claiming a deduction for a personal contribution, you must lodge a Notice of Intent to Claim with your fund and have it acknowledged — or the deduction is lost.
(One more reason not to wait until next year: from 1 July 2026 the concessional cap rises to $32,500, but that won’t bring back the 2020–21 room you let expire.)
2. Bring forward deductible expenses
If you were going to spend the money anyway, spending it before 30 June brings the deduction into this year’s return. Common examples for individuals:
- Work-related purchases — tools, a laptop, professional memberships, subscriptions, union fees.
- Income protection insurance premiums (held outside super) — prepay before 30 June.
- Investment property — bring forward repairs, maintenance, or prepay interest where appropriate.
- Self-education directly related to your current job.
3. Get your work-from-home claim right
The ATO’s fixed rate is 70 cents per hour for 2025–26, covering electricity, gas, internet, phone and stationery. To use it, you need a record of the actual hours you worked from home across the whole year — a continuous diary or roster, not an estimate. Start that record now if you haven’t kept one; a four-week sample is no longer enough.
4. Make tax-deductible donations
Donations of $2 or more to a registered deductible gift recipient (DGR) are deductible — but only if you have the receipt and the gift is made before 30 June. Buying raffle tickets or items at a charity auction generally doesn’t count.
5. Check your private health insurance before 30 June
If you’re a higher earner without an appropriate level of private hospital cover, you may be hit with the Medicare Levy Surcharge (1%–1.5% of income). Taking out hospital cover before 30 June can avoid the surcharge for the days you’re covered — and often costs less than the surcharge itself.
6. Get your records right — because the ATO is watching closely
The ATO has been explicit about its 2026 focus areas, and both hit individuals directly:
- Overstated work-related deductions. The ATO’s data-matching is more sophisticated every year. Claim what you genuinely spent, keep the receipts, and apportion private use honestly.
- Omitted income. With data flowing in from banks, employers and digital platforms, the ATO automatically cross-checks your income. The things people forget: bank interest, side-gig and platform income (rideshare, delivery, online selling), rental income, and crypto gains. Even small amounts left off can trigger a review.
💡 A note for our community: if you have overseas income or offshore assets, Australia exchanges financial-account information with dozens of countries. Foreign income of Australian tax residents is reportable here. If you’re unsure how your overseas situation fits, talk to us before you lodge — voluntary disclosure is always cheaper than an audit.
7. Don’t get caught out by the “$1,000 instant deduction”
You may have seen headlines about a $1,000 standard deduction for work expenses with no receipts. It’s a real proposal — but it applies from the 2026–27 income year, it’s not yet law, and it does not apply to the return you’ll lodge for 2025–26. For this year, the old rule stands: no receipts, no claim.
Your 30 June 2026 quick checklist
- Ask us whether you have unused super cap worth using — especially the 2020–21 slice that expires this year.
- If contributing, allow for your fund’s cut-off date and lodge a Notice of Intent.
- Bring forward any deductible expenses you’d spend anyway.
- Start (or finalise) your work-from-home hours record.
- Make DGR donations and keep the receipts.
- Review private hospital cover if you’re a higher earner.
- Pull together all your income — interest, side gigs, rent, crypto, overseas.
Planning a sale of shares or property, or running a small business? Our Pre-EOFY 2026 strategic decisions guide and the $20,000 instant asset write-off guide go deeper. And once July arrives, see how to prepare your 2026 tax return.
Frequently asked questions
What is the super contribution cap for 2025–26?
The concessional (before-tax) cap is $30,000, which includes employer Super Guarantee and salary sacrifice. The non-concessional (after-tax) cap is $120,000. From 1 July 2026 the concessional cap rises to $32,500.
What is “carry-forward” super and why does 30 June 2026 matter?
If your total super balance was under $500,000 on 30 June 2025, you can use unused concessional cap from the previous five years. The unused amount from 2020–21 expires on 30 June 2026 — after that it’s gone permanently.
How much can I claim for working from home in 2025–26?
The ATO fixed rate is 70 cents per hour, covering energy, internet, phone and stationery. You must keep a record of the actual hours you worked from home across the full year.
Is the $1,000 instant work deduction available this tax time?
No. It is proposed to apply from the 2026–27 income year, is not yet law, and does not apply to your 2025–26 tax return. For 2025–26 you still need records to support your claims.
What is the ATO focusing on for individuals in 2026?
Two things in particular: overstated work-related deductions, and omitted income such as bank interest, side-gig and platform earnings, rental income and crypto gains, which the ATO cross-checks through data-matching.
Sources
- Australian Taxation Office, What’s new for individuals and Working from home expenses — fixed rate method
- Australian Taxation Office, Contributions caps and Key superannuation rates and thresholds
- Australian Government, election commitment — $1,000 instant work-expense deduction (from 2026–27, not yet law)
About the author
Lily Zhang is the founder of Wiselink Accountants, a Camberwell-based CPA firm serving 500+ Australian individuals and SMEs since 2013. She is a CPA Australia member, Registered Tax Agent, ASIC Registered Agent and NTAA Member. Lily and the Wiselink team service Greater Melbourne and Brisbane in English and Mandarin.
Want to know which of these moves is actually worth it for your situation — especially the super cap that expires this year? Book a free 20-minute call with a Wiselink CPA before 30 June. Servicing Melbourne and Brisbane.
This article is general information, not personal advice, and is current as at 26 May 2026. Tax and super outcomes depend on your individual circumstances. Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.
