The EOFY Internet & Tech Checklist for Aussie Households

The financial year is winding down, 30 June is closer than it looks, and most of us are about to start the annual scramble for receipts, invoices and "did I claim that last year?" guesswork. If you've worked from home, run a side hustle, or operated a small business from your kitchen bench at any point this year, there's a fair chance your internet and tech spending could work harder for you at tax time. 

This article walks through what's potentially claimable for three different types of Australian households - work from home (WFH) employees, content creators operating as sole traders, and home-based business owners. Think of it as a friendly checklist to bring to your accountant, not a substitute for one. 

A quick note before we start: This article provides general guidance only. It is not financial or tax advice. Tax rules change, and your circumstances are unique — so please confirm anything you plan to claim with a registered tax agent or by checking the ATO website. 

Why your internet & tech related expense matters at tax time? 

Most Australians underestimate how much of their everyday tech spending is connected to earning an income. Your home internet, your mobile data, the router gathering dust under your TV, the laptop you bought during a sale — if any of it is used for work, content creation or a business, you may have a legitimate deduction sitting in your inbox right now. 

The catch? You need records. The ATO doesn't accept guesses — under the fixed rate method, records of hours worked from home must be kept as the hours occur, not reconstructed afterwards (ATO, 2025a). The ATO has also flagged work-related expenses as a high-scrutiny area at tax time (ATO, 2025e). Getting organised before 30 June can genuinely pay off. 

Let's break it down by household type. 

WFH Employees 

If you work from home for part or all of your job, you can claim the work-related portion of your home running expenses — including internet, phone and depreciation on equipment you've bought (ATO, 2025a). The ATO offers two methods: the fixed rate method (70 cents per hour for the 2024–25 income year) or the actual cost method (ATO, 2025a; Brownlee, 2025). You pick whichever gives you the better outcome, but you must keep proper records either way. 

What should be in the checklist of WFH employees? 

• Internet expenses — The portion of your home internet bill used for work is potentially claimable. If you're using the actual cost method, you'll need to estimate or log the work-related proportion (e.g., 40% if roughly 40% of your usage is work-related). Keep every invoice. Note: under the fixed rate method, internet is already bundled into the 70c per hour — you can't claim it separately on top (ATO, 2025a; H&R Block, 2025). 

• SIM-only and mobile plan expenses — Work-related calls, data and messaging on your personal mobile can be claimed proportionally (ATO, 2025d). Itemised bills or a four-week representative usage log are usually the cleanest way to substantiate this. 

• Wi-Fi router, modem and network cables — If you bought a new router, mesh system or ethernet cables specifically to support your work-from-home setup, the work-use portion is potentially claimable (ATO, 2025b). 

• Computers and laptops — A laptop or desktop you use for work may be deductible (ATO, 2025b). If it's under the instant asset write-off threshold and you use it primarily for work, your tax agent can advise on whether it's immediately deductible or needs to be depreciated over its effective life. 

• Printers, monitors and peripherals — A second monitor, ergonomic keyboard, headset or printer used for work tasks generally qualifies for the work-use portion (ATO, 2025b). 

Tip: The ATO requires you to claim only the work-related portion of any shared expense (ATO, 2025a). A usage diary, four-week sample, or honest percentage estimate (with reasoning) is usually enough — provided you can defend it if asked. 

Choosing your method

The fixed rate method is simpler but covers a bundle of expenses in one 70c-per-hour figure (ATO, 2025a). The actual cost method takes more record-keeping but can deliver a bigger deduction for people with high internet, energy or device costs. Your tax agent can run both and pick the winner. 

Content Creators (Sole Traders) 

As a content creator operating as a sole trader, your tech setup isn't just lifestyle gear — it's business infrastructure. Cameras, lighting, computers, internet, drones, even editing software subscriptions are generally deductible to the extent they're used for the business (ATO, 2025c). Eligible assets costing under $20,000 may qualify for the instant asset write-off (extended to 30 June 2026), depending on your circumstances (ATO, 2025f; KPMG, 2025). 

Which expenses of content creators should be documented for tax time? 

• Internet expenses — Your home internet is a fundamental business input. If the bulk of your bandwidth is spent uploading videos, streaming, jumping on client calls or managing your platforms, a high proportion of your bill may be claimable as a business expense (ATO, 2025c). 

• SIM-only and mobile plan expenses — Mobile data used for uploading on the go, posting to socials, communicating with brands and clients, or filming on location is business usage (ATO, 2025d). Keep itemised bills. 

• Wi-Fi router, modem and network cables — Reliable, fast connectivity is non-negotiable in this line of work. The hardware that delivers it — routers, mesh networks, cabling, signal boosters — is part of running the business (ATO, 2025b). 

• Computers and editing equipment — Laptops, desktop towers, external SSDs, editing monitors and graphics tablets are core tools of the trade (ATO, 2025b). 

• Printers and office equipment — If you print contracts, invoices, brand briefs or shipping labels, your printer and consumables qualify (ATO, 2025b). 

• Camera equipment — Bodies, lenses, memory cards, batteries and lighting gear used to produce content are claimable business assets (ATO, 2025c). 

• Camera stands, tripods and gimbals — Mounts, rigs and stabilisers that directly support production are legitimate deductions (ATO, 2025c). 

• Drones — If you're shooting aerial footage or photography as part of your content, drones, spare batteries, controllers and ND filters can typically be claimed (ATO, 2025c). 

• Software and subscriptions — Don't forget the recurring ones: editing software, stock music libraries, cloud storage, scheduling tools. These add up. 

💡 Tip: As a sole trader, you're running a business — so keep every receipt, invoice and bank statement (ATO, 2025c). If a piece of gear is used for both personal and business purposes (your phone is the classic example), only the business-use portion is deductible. A short, written log of how you use it is solid evidence. 

On the instant asset write-off

For the 2024–25 and 2025–26 income years, eligible small businesses (aggregated turnover under $10 million, using simplified depreciation) can immediately deduct the cost of eligible assets under $20,000 each, used or installed by 30 June 2026 (ATO, 2025f; KPMG, 2025). Your tax agent will confirm whether your purchases qualify. 

Home-Based Business Owners 

If you run a business from home, your internet, phone and tech are operational costs — and a much higher proportion is typically claimable than for a casual WFH employee (ATO, 2025c). You may also be able to claim a share of occupancy costs (rent, mortgage interest, rates), but this gets complicated and can affect the capital gains tax exemption on your home — definitely a conversation for your accountant. 

Which expenses should be documented by home-based businesses for tax time? 

• Internet expenses — Business internet usage is claimable for the business-use proportion. If your connection primarily serves the business, the majority of your monthly bill may qualify (ATO, 2025c). 

• SIM-only and mobile plan expenses — Business calls, client communications and mobile data are standard deductions (ATO, 2025d). Itemised billing makes substantiation straightforward. 

• Wi-Fi router, modem and networking hardware — Routers, switches, network storage and structured cabling that support business operations are claimable (ATO, 2025b). 

• Computers, laptops and tablets — The core devices you use to run the business (ATO, 2025b). 

• Printers and office equipment — Office infrastructure, consumables and any specialised peripherals used day-to-day (ATO, 2025b). 

• Software, cloud services and subscriptions — Accounting software, CRM platforms, design tools, cloud storage and similar services are all operational expenses. 

• ⚠️ Important note on occupancy costs: Home-based business owners may be able to claim a portion of occupancy expenses — rent, mortgage interest, council rates, insurance — for the area of the home used exclusively for business. However, doing so can affect your main residence capital gains tax (CGT) exemption when you sell your home. This is a significant decision and one to work through carefully with a registered tax agent before you claim. 

How does Exetel make tax time easier? 

At tax time, the single most painful thing is usually documentation. Where's that invoice from October? Did you change plans in March? When did the new router charge land? 

If you're an Exetel customer, you can skip the inbox archaeology. All of your payment receipts are stored directly in the Exetel app — accessible 24/7, from your phone, with no need to log a ticket or wait on hold. Download what you need, send it to your tax agent, or keep a copy on file in case the ATO ever asks for verification. 

It's a small thing that saves a surprising amount of time when you're juggling EOFY admin alongside everything else. Fast, reliable internet is the obvious part of the job — clean, accessible billing is the part that quietly makes life easier when you need it most. 

A word of warning — be careful with EOFY "deals" 

EOFY is one of the loudest sales periods of the year, and telcos love it. But a discounted first six months is not the same thing as a good plan. The cheapest deal today often becomes the most expensive deal in month seven — which is exactly when you've forgotten about it and the higher price quietly starts hitting your account. 

Around EOFY, your inbox fills up with headlines like "$60/month NBN!" and "50% off for 6 months!". They look great. The fine print is usually less great: the rate snaps back to $90 or $99 after six months, the plan auto-renews at the higher price, and most people don't notice until they're already paying it. The "savings" you got at the start gets clawed back over the next 12 and even 24 months, and then some. 

The fix isn't to chase the next promo. It's to find a plan that's good value all the time — and stop playing musical chairs with providers every six months. The time you save not having to research, switch, port your number, set up a new modem and call the retention team is itself worth money. 

Why Exetel's The One Plan is built differently 

Exetel's The One Plan is a deliberate move away from the promo-trap model. One plan, one price, no introductory rate, no price hike at month seven: 

• $80 per month, flat — for 500/50 Mbps nbn (Typical Evening Speed 500/40 Mbps) on FTTP or HFC connections. Lower than the Australian average, according to Canstar, and it stays that way. 

• No promo periods — what you pay in month one is what you pay in month seven. 

• Hibernate — going on holiday? Switch to a lower-speed standby mode and save $1 a day off your normal daily bill. 

• Warp Speed — need 1000 Mbps (Typical evening speed 860/85 Mbps) for a big upload, a livestream or a movie night? Upgrade your speed for an extra $1 a day, then drop back down. 

• Refer a Friend — get $1 off your monthly bill for every friend who signs up, ongoing for as long as you both stay on the plan. 

The reason this matters at tax time: a stable, predictable plan is easier to claim and easier to reconcile. You don't need to work out how much of your bill was the introductory rate versus the snapback rate, or chase down twelve months of invoices with three different prices on them. One plan, one price, twelve identical invoices — much less paperwork for you and your tax agent. 

💡 Tip: When you compare EOFY deals, work out the total cost over 24 months, not just the headline monthly rate. A plan that's $65 for six months and $95 for six months costs $2,100 over 24 months. A plan that's a flat $80 every month costs $1,920. The "cheap" plan cost $180 more over 24 months. That's the trap. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Can I claim my internet bill if I only work from home occasionally? 

Yes, you can claim the work-related portion of your home internet, even if you only work from home occasionally (ATO, 2025a). You'll need to either use the fixed rate method (70 cents per hour, which bundles internet in with other running costs) or work out the work-use percentage and apply it to your actual bill under the actual cost method. Either way, keep records of the hours you worked from home and your monthly invoices. 

Can I claim a new Wi-Fi modem I bought during the EOFY sales? 

Potentially yes, for the work-use portion (ATO, 2025b). If you bought it specifically because your work-from-home setup needed an upgrade — or because your home business relies on it — it's likely deductible. If the router cost is below the relevant depreciation thresholds, your tax agent can advise whether to claim it immediately or depreciate it over its effective life. 

What records do I need to keep for tax time? 

At a minimum: your monthly internet and mobile invoices, receipts for any tech or equipment you purchased, and a record of hours worked from home (kept as the hours occurred, not estimated afterwards) if you're using the fixed rate method (ATO, 2025a). Sole traders and home-based business owners should also keep bank statements and a brief log of business-vs-personal use for any shared items. 

I'm a content creator. Can I claim my whole internet bill? 

It depends on how much of your usage is for the business. If your home internet is predominantly used for content creation — uploading, streaming, client calls, social media management — a high proportion is generally claimable (ATO, 2025c). If your household also uses the same connection for gaming, Netflix and general browsing, you'll need to apportion. Your tax agent can help you settle on a defensible percentage. 

What's the instant asset write-off and does it apply to me? 

For the 2024–25 and 2025–26 income years, eligible small businesses (aggregated turnover under $10 million, using simplified depreciation) can immediately deduct the cost of eligible assets under $20,000 each, used or installed by 30 June 2026 (ATO, 2025f; KPMG, 2025). This is particularly useful for sole traders buying gear like cameras, computers and editing equipment. Check with your tax agent on eligibility. 

Where can I find my Exetel payment receipts? 

All your Exetel payment receipts are stored in the Exetel app, accessible 24/7. You can download them straight to your phone, email them to your accountant, or save copies for your records — no need to call support or dig through old emails. 

Should I switch internet providers just to get a better EOFY deal? 

Probably not, if you're already on a flat, well-priced plan like Exetel. According to TechRadar, Exetel offers the best ongoing price from the start and when you get past any introductory discounts, it’s the only provider with an NBN 500 plan that costs less than AU$1,000 per year (as of 12 May 2026). 

Promotional rates almost always expire, and the savings you make in the first six months usually disappear (or reverse) over the following 12 to 24 months. The better question is whether your current plan is fairly priced all year round. If it is, the time and admin saved by not switching is worth more than chasing the next discount. 

Wrapping up 

EOFY has a habit of arriving sooner than expected. Whether you're an employee logging into the team standup from your spare room, a creator running a one-person studio, or a small business owner managing it all from the kitchen table — there's almost certainly some of your tech spending that belongs on your tax return. 

The three things to do now: 

1. Get your records together — invoices, receipts, hours-worked logs, and a sensible estimate of business-vs-personal usage for shared items. 

2. Talk to a registered tax agent — they'll know which method gives you the best outcome and which deductions apply to your specific circumstances. 

3. Download your Exetel payment receipts from the app — so when your accountant asks, you've got them ready in seconds. 

Explore Exetel's One Plan — a flat $80/month for 500/50 Mbps nbn (TES 500/40 Mbps), with no promo periods, no price snapback at month seven, and your invoices always at your fingertips in the Exetel app. Fast, reliable, transparently-billed connectivity — get your records sorted before 30 June. 

References 

Australian Taxation Office. (2025a). Working from home expenses. https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals-and-families/income-deductions-offsets-and-records/deductions-you-can-claim/work-related-deductions/working-from-home-expenses 

Australian Taxation Office. (2025b). Tools, computers and items you use for work. https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals-and-families/income-deductions-offsets-and-records/deductions-you-can-claim/work-related-deductions/tools-computers-and-items-you-use-for-work 

Australian Taxation Office. (2025c). Handy tax time tips for sole traders. https://www.ato.gov.au/businesses-and-organisations/small-business-newsroom/handy-tax-time-tips-for-sole-traders 

Australian Taxation Office. (2025d). Mobile phone, mobile internet and other devices. https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals-and-families/income-deductions-offsets-and-records/deductions-you-can-claim/work-related-deductions/tools-computers-and-items-you-use-for-work/mobile-phone-mobile-internet-and-other-devices 

Australian Taxation Office. (2025e). ATO unveils 'wild' tax deduction attempts and priorities for 2025. https://www.ato.gov.au/media-centre/ato-unveils-wild-tax-deduction-attempts-and-priorities-for-2025 

Australian Taxation Office. (2025f). Instant asset write-off for eligible businesses. https://www.ato.gov.au/businesses-and-organisations/income-deductions-and-concessions/depreciation-and-capital-expenses-and-allowances/simpler-depreciation-for-small-business/instant-asset-write-off 

Brownlee, M. (2025, April 22). ATO to increase fixed rate for working from home expenses to 70c. Accountants Daily. https://www.accountantsdaily.com.au/business/21201-ato-to-increase-fixed-rate-for-working-from-home-expenses-to-70c 

Canstar. (2026). What is the average internet bill per month? https://www.canstar.com.au/internet/average-internet-bill/ 

H&R Block. (2025). Working from home tax deductions update. https://www.hrblock.com.au/tax-academy/work-from-home-update 

KPMG. (2025, May 8). Australia: ATO guidance on eligibility of instant asset write-off. https://kpmg.com/us/en/taxnewsflash/news/2025/05/australia-ato-guidance-eligibility-instant-asset-write-off.html 

TechRadar. Still haven't upgraded to full fibre NBN? From next year, NBN Co will make it mandatory for some premises. (12 May 2026). https://www.techradar.com/computing/wi-fi-broadband/still-havent-upgraded-to-full-fibre-nbn-from-next-year-nbn-co-will-make-it-mandatory-for-some-premises 

Disclaimer 

This article is intended as general guidance only and does not constitute financial, tax or legal advice. Tax laws are complex and change frequently. Deductions, thresholds and methods referenced (including the working-from-home fixed rate of 70 cents per hour for 2024–25 and the $20,000 instant asset write-off) are based on ATO guidance available at the time of writing and may change. For advice specific to your situation, please consult a registered tax agent or accountant, or visit the Australian Taxation Office website for the most current information.