If you get money for cultural work or services

If you’re Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander or both and you or your partner get money for cultural work or services, you need to let us know so you don’t get a debt.

We count money from cultural work or services as employment income. This includes any of the following:

  • cultural training
  • interpreting
  • site clearances
  • heritage surveys or monitoring
  • consultancy fees.

We also count opening or performing at events as employment income. This can include any of the following:

  • a Welcome to Country
  • dancing
  • storytelling
  • cultural performances.

If you or your partner has your own business, the money you get from this is business income. If we need more information, we may ask you for a tax return or profit and loss statement. This shows us:

  • the gross amount you got
  • what your costs were.
Page last updated: 13 April 2026.
QC 83974