AUSactive calls for Coalition's proposed tax deductions to include Fringe Benefits Tax exemption for gyms

AUSactive calls for Coalition’s proposed tax deductions to include Fringe Benefits Tax exemption for gyms

January 21, 2025

AUSactive has today welcomed the Coalition's proposal for new Small Business Tax Deductions, calling for the pledge to be extended to Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) exemptions for gyms.

Commending the Coalition’s proposal to relax FBT laws with a $20,000 tax deduction for small business meal and entertainment expenses, AUSactive is urging it to extend to gyms to save Australia’s health crises.

AUSactive Chief Executive, Barrie Elvish explained “exempting gym memberships from FBT would not only align with preventive health strategies but also support small businesses and improve workplace productivity.

“Every $1 invested in preventive health delivers a $14 return. It’s absurd that taxpayers can claim deductions for donations to health organisations but not for proactively improving their own health through gym memberships.

“If not implemented, this is a missed opportunity to boost public health and support small fitness businesses.”

AUSactive is also proposing an ‘Active Body, Healthy Mind’ preventative health campaign to combat inactivity and reduce chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes to address Australia’s $14.1 billion inactivity crisis.

Its proposed national preventive health campaign - a physical activity version of ‘Slip, Slop, Slap’ focuses on:

Engaging 500,000 inactive Australians in regular physical activity.
Boosting preventive health funding from 2% to 5% of the $124 billion health budget.
Reducing anxiety, depression, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes.

Elvish (pictured below) adds “a preventative health campaign is logical and necessary.

“Imagine the savings to taxpayers generated by this investment. The total annual health budget is about $124 billion, but only $2 billion is directed towards preventive health, with the majority of that going to sport.

“It’s time to stop being a nation of spectators and one of participants, and our government - whichever one wins the election - needs to ‘walk the walk’.

AUSactive’s call for change echoes calls from leading preventive health advocate, physician and scientist at Sydney University, Professor Luigi Fontana, who estimates that focusing on prevention over treatment could save Australia $30 billion annually.

Elvish went on to say “a robust preventative health strategy running for five or so years would give the bean counters time to see budget savings flowing through, save lives, improve mental health, and slash billions in healthcare costs.”

Research by Brendan Stubbs, highlighted in the ASICS Global State of Mind study, shows that exercise can significantly boost mental well-being, increasing productivity by 22.5%.

AUSactive’s proven ‘Million Moves’ initiative in 2024 demonstrates how small, sustained efforts can drive big health outcomes. Piloted in 2024, the program engaged over 2 million ‘moves’ completed by Aussies aged 18-65+ who joined local fitness businesses and personal trainers in the mission to get the community moving.

AUSactive’s call to action also aligns with bipartisan initiatives like its Fit for Office, which proved fitness transforms lives - even among policymakers when over 37 MPs and 150 of their staff competed in the three-week exercise initiative.

14th January 2025 - Confusion surrounds gyms and superannuation contributions for group fitness instructors

5th January 2025 - Federal Assistant Treasurer targets gyms and wellness apps in warning on ‘subscription traps’

24th December 2024 - AUSactive seeks non-Executive Director

17th December 2024 - Australia’s $14 billion inactivity crisis prompts renewed AUSactive call for Federal Government-led preventative health campaign

16th December 2024 - AUSactive secures endorsement from Australian Sporting Alliance for People with a Disability

10th December 2024 - Looking to spearhead growth AUSactive names Mike Beeney as Western Australian Regional Manager

28th November 2024 - AUSactive commits to helping deliver ASC Play Well Program

27th November 2024 - AUSactive names Emmett Williams as next Chair

20th November 2024 - Federal Parliamentarians join with AUSactive to launch 2024 Fit for Office challenge

15th November 2024 - AUSactive set to engage Federal politicians in 2024 Fit for Office initiative

9th November 2024 - AUSactive to rollout Million Moves initiative in Western Australia

30th October 2024 - AUSactive award winner Mish Wright calls out misogyny in Fitness Industry Education

23rd October 2024 - AUSactive unveils emerging fitness and wellness trends for 2025

11th October 2024 - AUSactive’s Barrie Elvish: Federal Government should not let Sports Commission run a physical activity campaign

13th September 2024 - AUSactive’s new ECOactive initiative aims to reduce fitness industry energy costs

22nd August 2024 - AUSactive urges its members to understand new casual employment changes

15th May 2024 - AUSactive disappointed over Federal budget failure to deliver on wellness

27th April 2024 - AUSactive seeks pre Federal Budget public support for active health memberships tax deductions

4th April 2024 - Barrie Elvish takes AUSactive’s call for Federal budget to include tax deductibility for gym memberships to mainstream media

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