The complete 2026 effective lives reference for residential property.

The list below shows the ATO effective lives for every depreciating asset commonly found in residential investment property, sourced from the Income Tax (Effective Life of Depreciating Assets) Determination 2025 (LI 2025/20), which replaced Taxation Ruling TR 2022/1 on 31 October 2025. The published effective lives are unchanged in the transition.

There have been no substantive changes to residential effective lives since TR 2019/5 took effect on 1 July 2019. Where an asset's effective life was changed in TR 2019/5 (or where a new asset was added) we've flagged it in the notes against each row, and shown the previous effective life so you can apply the correct figure based on when the asset was first installed ready for use.

Use the search box and category filters to find any asset in seconds, or download the full table as a CSV. The ATO has moved away from periodic Taxation Rulings to an on-demand review model, so this page reflects the current state of LI 2025/20 as at April 2026.

View the official LI 2025/20 Determination PDF on the ATO website →

Quick Calculation
Convert any effective life into a depreciation rate
Prime Cost rate = 100 ÷ effective life
Diminishing Value rate = 200 ÷ effective life
Example: Carpet has an 8-year effective life. The prime cost rate is 12.5% per year. The diminishing value rate is 25% per year (acquired after 10 May 2006).

Most-searched ATO depreciation rates 2026

The eight most-searched residential depreciating assets, with their effective lives and depreciation rates calculated for both methods. Current under the Income Tax (Effective Life of Depreciating Assets) Determination 2025.

ATO effective lives and depreciation rates · Top 8 residential assets · 2026
Asset Effective Life (years) Prime Cost Rate Diminishing Value Rate
Carpet812.5%25%
Air conditioner (mini split, up to 20kW)1010%20%
Hot water system (electric)128.33%16.67%
Oven128.33%16.67%
Dishwasher812.5%25%
Washing machine812.5%25%
Clothes dryer714.29%28.57%
Ducted air conditioning (packaged unit)156.67%13.33%

Looking for a different asset? Search the full table of 166 residential assets ↓

Mike Mortlock, Co-Founder and Managing Director of MCG Quantity Surveyors
Reviewed by

Mike Mortlock

Co-Founder and Managing Director, MCG Quantity Surveyors

Mike Mortlock is a registered tax agent and the co-founder of MCG Quantity Surveyors. He sits on the AIQS Advisory Board and the PIPA Board, hosts the Geared for Growth and Property Trio podcasts, and is a regular tax depreciation commentator in the Australian Financial Review. Top 50 thought leader (Elite Agent Magazine).

Registered Tax Agent (TPB) AIQS Advisory Board PIPA Board

Residential Effective Lives 2026 · Determination 2025

Search by asset name. Filter by category. Sort any column. Both Prime Cost and Diminishing Value rates are calculated for you. All 166 residential depreciating assets sourced from LI 2025/20.

Filter by Category
Showing 166 of 166 assets
Asset Category Effective Life Prime Cost % Diminishing Value %
Air handling units
Excluding ducting, pipes & vents
Air Conditioning 20 yrs 5.0% 10.0%
Absorption chiller
Excluding ducting, pipes & vents
Air Conditioning 25 yrs 4.0% 8.0%
Centrifugal chiller
Excluding ducting, pipes & vents
Air Conditioning 20 yrs 5.0% 10.0%
Air-cooled compressor
Volumetrics (reciprocating, rotary, screw & scroll)
Air Conditioning 15 yrs 6.67% 13.33%
Water-cooled compressor
Volumetrics (reciprocating, rotary, screw & scroll)
Air Conditioning 20 yrs 5.0% 10.0%
Condensing sets
Excluding ducting, pipes & vents
Air Conditioning 15 yrs 6.67% 13.33%
Cooling towers
Excluding ducting, pipes & vents
Air Conditioning 15 yrs 6.67% 13.33%
Damping motors (incl. variable air volume box controller)
Excluding ducting, pipes & vents
Air Conditioning 10 yrs 10.0% 20.0%
Fan coil units (connected to condensing set)
Excluding ducting, pipes & vents
Air Conditioning 15 yrs 6.67% 13.33%
Mini split systems up to 20kW (incl. ceiling, floor & high wall split systems)
Excluding ducting, pipes & vents
Air Conditioning 10 yrs 10.0% 20.0%
Packaged air conditioning units
Excluding ducting, pipes & vents
Air Conditioning 15 yrs 6.67% 13.33%
Pumps (air conditioning)
Excluding ducting, pipes & vents
Air Conditioning 20 yrs 5.0% 10.0%
Room units
Excluding ducting, pipes & vents
Air Conditioning 10 yrs 10.0% 20.0%
Ceiling Fans
General Assets 5 yrs 20.0% 40.0%
Clocks, electric
General Assets 10 yrs 10.0% 20.0%
Digital peep holes NEW
New addition in TR2019/5
General Assets 10 yrs 10.0% 20.0%
DVD players
General Assets 5 yrs 20.0% 40.0%
Door closers
General Assets 10 yrs 10.0% 20.0%
Door stops, freestanding
General Assets 10 yrs 10.0% 20.0%
Escalators (machinery and moving parts)
General Assets 20 yrs 5.0% 10.0%
Evaporative coolers, fixed (excl. ducting and vents) UPDATED
Was 25 prior to TR2019/5
General Assets 15 yrs 6.67% 13.33%
Evaporative coolers, portable NEW
New addition in TR2019/5
General Assets 10 yrs 10.0% 20.0%
Furniture, freestanding
General Assets 13.33 yrs 7.5% 15.0%
Garbage bins
General Assets 10 yrs 10.0% 20.0%
Garbage compacting systems (excl. chutes)
General Assets 6.67 yrs 14.99% 29.99%
Generators
General Assets 20 yrs 5.0% 10.0%
Gym assets, cardiovascular
General Assets 5 yrs 20.0% 40.0%
Gym assets, resistance
General Assets 10 yrs 10.0% 20.0%
Hand dryers, electrical
General Assets 10 yrs 10.0% 20.0%
Heaters, fixed electric
General Assets 15 yrs 6.67% 13.33%
Heaters, fixed gas, ducted central heating unit
General Assets 20 yrs 5.0% 10.0%
Heaters, fixed gas, other
General Assets 15 yrs 6.67% 13.33%
Heaters, freestanding
General Assets 15 yrs 6.67% 13.33%
Home automation control assets NEW
New addition in TR2019/5
General Assets 10 yrs 10.0% 20.0%
Hydronic controls NEW
New addition in TR2019/5
General Assets 10 yrs 10.0% 20.0%
Hydronic water heaters NEW
New addition in TR2019/5
General Assets 15 yrs 6.67% 13.33%
Intercom system assets
General Assets 10 yrs 10.0% 20.0%
Lifts (incl. hydraulic and traction lifts)
General Assets 30 yrs 3.33% 6.67%
Light fittings (excl. hardwired)
General Assets 5 yrs 20.0% 40.0%
Lights, freestanding
General Assets 5 yrs 20.0% 40.0%
Light shades, removable
General Assets 5 yrs 20.0% 40.0%
Linen
General Assets 5 yrs 20.0% 40.0%
Mirrors, freestanding
General Assets 15 yrs 6.67% 13.33%
Radios
General Assets 10 yrs 10.0% 20.0%
Rugs
General Assets 7 yrs 14.29% 28.57%
Skylights, controls NEW
New addition in TR2019/5
General Assets 10 yrs 10.0% 20.0%
Skylights, motors NEW
New addition in TR2019/5
General Assets 10 yrs 10.0% 20.0%
Solar power generating system (incl. batteries, inverters, panels, regulators)
General Assets 20 yrs 5.0% 10.0%
Stereo systems (incl. amplifiers, cassette/CD players, radios, speakers)
General Assets 7 yrs 14.29% 28.57%
Surround sound systems (incl. AV receivers, speakers)
General Assets 10 yrs 10.0% 20.0%
Television antennas, freestanding
General Assets 5 yrs 20.0% 40.0%
Television sets UPDATED
Was 10 prior to TR2019/5
General Assets 8 yrs 12.5% 25.0%
Vacuum cleaners, ducted, hoses
General Assets 10 yrs 10.0% 20.0%
Vacuum cleaners, ducted, motors
General Assets 10 yrs 10.0% 20.0%
Vacuum cleaners, ducted, wands
General Assets 10 yrs 10.0% 20.0%
Vacuum cleaners, portable
General Assets 10 yrs 10.0% 20.0%
Ventilation fans
General Assets 20 yrs 5.0% 10.0%
Video cassette recorder (VCR) systems
General Assets 5 yrs 20.0% 40.0%
Water pumps, multi-storey
General Assets 20 yrs 5.0% 10.0%
Water pumps, rainwater tanks NEW
New addition in TR2019/5
General Assets 5 yrs 20.0% 40.0%
Water pumps, single residence pressure pumps NEW
New addition in TR2019/5
General Assets 8 yrs 12.5% 25.0%
Window blinds, internal
General Assets 10 yrs 10.0% 20.0%
Window curtains
General Assets 6 yrs 16.67% 33.33%
Window shutters, automatic, controls
General Assets 10 yrs 10.0% 20.0%
Window shutters, automatic, motors
General Assets 10 yrs 10.0% 20.0%
Carpet UPDATED
Was 10 prior to TR2019/5
Floor Coverings 8 yrs 12.5% 25.0%
Floating timber
Floor Coverings 15 yrs 6.67% 13.33%
Linoleum
Floor Coverings 10 yrs 10.0% 20.0%
Vinyl
Floor Coverings 10 yrs 10.0% 20.0%
Hot water, electric
Excluding piping
Hot Water Systems 12 yrs 8.33% 16.67%
Hot water, gas
Excluding piping
Hot Water Systems 12 yrs 8.33% 16.67%
Hot water, solar
Excluding piping
Hot Water Systems 15 yrs 6.67% 13.33%
MATV assets, amplifiers
MATV / TV Antenna 10 yrs 10.0% 20.0%
MATV assets, modulators
MATV / TV Antenna 10 yrs 10.0% 20.0%
MATV assets, power sources
MATV / TV Antenna 10 yrs 10.0% 20.0%
Cordless phones
Telecommunications 4 yrs 25.0% 50.0%
Telephone hand sets UPDATED
Was 10 prior to TR2019/5
Telecommunications 6 yrs 16.67% 33.33%
Freestanding bathroom accessories (shower caddies, soap holders, toilet brushes) UPDATED
Was 5 prior to TR2019/5
Bathroom 3 yrs 33.33% 66.67%
Exhaust fans (incl. light/heating)
Bathroom 10 yrs 10.0% 20.0%
Heated towel rails, electric
Bathroom 10 yrs 10.0% 20.0%
Shower curtains (excl. curtain rods and screens)
Bathroom 2 yrs 50.0% 100.0%
Spa bath pumps UPDATED
Was 20 prior to TR2019/5
Bathroom 10 yrs 10.0% 20.0%
Fire alarms, heat
Fire Control 6 yrs 16.67% 33.33%
Fire alarms, smoke
Fire Control 6 yrs 16.67% 33.33%
Fire extinguishers
Fire Control 15 yrs 6.67% 13.33%
Fire hoses and nozzles
Fire Control 10 yrs 10.0% 20.0%
Fire pumps (incl. diesel and electric)
Fire Control 25 yrs 4.0% 8.0%
Alarm bells
Fire Detection & Alarm 12 yrs 8.33% 16.67%
Fire detectors (incl. addressable manual call points, heat, multi type & smoke)
Fire Detection & Alarm 20 yrs 5.0% 10.0%
Master emergency control panels
Emergency Warning (EWIS) 12 yrs 8.33% 16.67%
Speakers (EWIS)
Emergency Warning (EWIS) 12 yrs 8.33% 16.67%
Strobe lights (EWIS)
Emergency Warning (EWIS) 12 yrs 8.33% 16.67%
Warden intercom phones (WIPs)
Emergency Warning (EWIS) 12 yrs 8.33% 16.67%
AC variable speed drives (VSDs)
Stair Pressurisation 10 yrs 10.0% 20.0%
Pressurisation and extraction fans
Stair Pressurisation 25 yrs 4.0% 8.0%
Sensors (stair pressurisation)
Stair Pressurisation 10 yrs 10.0% 20.0%
Cook tops
Kitchen 12 yrs 8.33% 16.67%
Crockery
Kitchen 5 yrs 20.0% 40.0%
Cutlery
Kitchen 5 yrs 20.0% 40.0%
Dishwashers UPDATED
Was 10 prior to TR2019/5
Kitchen 8 yrs 12.5% 25.0%
Freezers
Kitchen 12 yrs 8.33% 16.67%
Garbage disposal units
Kitchen 10 yrs 10.0% 20.0%
Microwave ovens UPDATED
Was 10 prior to TR2019/5
Kitchen 8 yrs 12.5% 25.0%
Ovens
Kitchen 12 yrs 8.33% 16.67%
Range hoods
Kitchen 12 yrs 8.33% 16.67%
Refrigerators
Kitchen 12 yrs 8.33% 16.67%
Stoves
Kitchen 12 yrs 8.33% 16.67%
Water filters, electrical
Kitchen 15 yrs 6.67% 13.33%
Clothes dryers UPDATED
Was 10 prior to TR2019/5
Laundry 7 yrs 14.29% 28.57%
Ironing boards, freestanding UPDATED
Was 7 prior to TR2019/5
Laundry 5 yrs 20.0% 40.0%
Irons
Laundry 5 yrs 20.0% 40.0%
Washing machines UPDATED
Was 10 prior to TR2019/5
Laundry 8 yrs 12.5% 25.0%
Automatic garage doors, controls
Outdoor 5 yrs 20.0% 40.0%
Automatic garage doors, motors
Outdoor 10 yrs 10.0% 20.0%
Barbecues, fixed assets (incl. sliding trays & cookers)
Outdoor 10 yrs 10.0% 20.0%
Barbecues, freestanding
Outdoor 5 yrs 20.0% 40.0%
Floor carpet (incl. artificial grass & matting)
Outdoor 5 yrs 20.0% 40.0%
Folding arm awnings, controls NEW
New addition in TR2019/5
Outdoor 10 yrs 10.0% 20.0%
Folding arm awnings, motors NEW
New addition in TR2019/5
Outdoor 10 yrs 10.0% 20.0%
Furniture, freestanding (outdoor)
Outdoor 5 yrs 20.0% 40.0%
Garden watering installations, control panels
Outdoor 5 yrs 20.0% 40.0%
Garden watering installations, pumps
Outdoor 5 yrs 20.0% 40.0%
Garden watering installations, timing devices
Outdoor 5 yrs 20.0% 40.0%
Garden lights, solar UPDATED
Was 8 prior to TR2019/5
Outdoor 5 yrs 20.0% 40.0%
Garden sheds, freestanding
Outdoor 15 yrs 6.67% 13.33%
Gates, electrical, controls
Outdoor 5 yrs 20.0% 40.0%
Gates, electrical, motors
Outdoor 10 yrs 10.0% 20.0%
Operable pergola louvres, controls
Outdoor 15 yrs 6.67% 13.33%
Operable pergola louvres, motors
Outdoor 15 yrs 6.67% 13.33%
Rainwater tanks, galvanised steel NEW
New addition in TR2019/5
Outdoor 25 yrs 4.0% 8.0%
Rainwater tanks, polyethylene NEW
New addition in TR2019/5
Outdoor 15 yrs 6.67% 13.33%
Roller blinds, controls NEW
New addition in TR2019/5
Outdoor 10 yrs 10.0% 20.0%
Roller blinds, motors NEW
New addition in TR2019/5
Outdoor 10 yrs 10.0% 20.0%
Sauna heating assets
Outdoor 15 yrs 6.67% 13.33%
Sewage treatment assets, controls
Outdoor 8 yrs 12.5% 25.0%
Sewage treatment assets, motors
Outdoor 8 yrs 12.5% 25.0%
Fixed spa assets, chlorinators NEW
New addition in TR2019/5
Outdoor 10 yrs 10.0% 20.0%
Fixed spa assets, filtration assets (incl. pumps) NEW
New addition in TR2019/5
Outdoor 10 yrs 10.0% 20.0%
Fixed spa assets, heaters (electric or gas)
Outdoor 15 yrs 6.67% 13.33%
Freestanding spas (incl. blowers, controls, filters, heaters & pumps)
Outdoor 17 yrs 5.88% 11.76%
Swimming pool assets, chlorinators UPDATED
Was 12 prior to TR2019/5
Outdoor 10 yrs 10.0% 20.0%
Swimming pool assets, cleaning assets
Outdoor 7 yrs 14.29% 28.57%
Swimming pool assets, covers (incl. blankets) NEW
New addition in TR2019/5
Outdoor 8 yrs 12.5% 25.0%
Swimming pool assets, filtration assets (incl. pumps) UPDATED
Was 12 prior to TR2019/5
Outdoor 10 yrs 10.0% 20.0%
Swimming pool assets, heaters, electric
Outdoor 15 yrs 6.67% 13.33%
Swimming pool assets, heaters, gas
Outdoor 15 yrs 6.67% 13.33%
Swimming pool assets, heaters, solar
Outdoor 20 yrs 5.0% 10.0%
Tennis court assets, cleaners
Outdoor 3 yrs 33.33% 66.67%
Tennis court assets, drag brooms
Outdoor 3 yrs 33.33% 66.67%
Tennis court assets, nets
Outdoor 5 yrs 20.0% 40.0%
Tennis court assets, rollers
Outdoor 3 yrs 33.33% 66.67%
Tennis court assets, umpire chairs
Outdoor 15 yrs 6.67% 13.33%
Access control systems, code pads
Security & Monitoring 5 yrs 20.0% 40.0%
Access control systems, door controllers
Security & Monitoring 5 yrs 20.0% 40.0%
Access control systems, proximity readers
Security & Monitoring 7 yrs 14.29% 28.57%
Access control systems, swipe card readers
Security & Monitoring 3 yrs 33.33% 66.67%
CCTV systems, cameras
Security & Monitoring 4 yrs 25.0% 50.0%
CCTV systems, monitors
Security & Monitoring 4 yrs 25.0% 50.0%
CCTV systems, digital recorders
Security & Monitoring 4 yrs 25.0% 50.0%
CCTV systems, time lapse recorders
Security & Monitoring 2 yrs 50.0% 100.0%
CCTV systems, switching units (incl. multiplexers)
Security & Monitoring 5 yrs 20.0% 40.0%
Security systems, code pads
Security & Monitoring 5 yrs 20.0% 40.0%
Security systems, control panels
Security & Monitoring 5 yrs 20.0% 40.0%
Security systems, detectors (passive, infrared, photo, vibration)
Security & Monitoring 5 yrs 20.0% 40.0%
Security systems, Global System for Mobiles (GSM) units
Security & Monitoring 5 yrs 20.0% 40.0%
Security systems, noise makers (incl. bells & sirens)
Security & Monitoring 5 yrs 20.0% 40.0%
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Two Methods. One Decision.

An effective life is just the starting point. The ATO lets you choose between two depreciation methods, and the choice you make will affect your cash flow for years.

Prime Cost
rate = 100 ÷ effective life
A straight-line method. You claim the same amount every year for the entire effective life of the asset. Simple, predictable, equal annual deductions.
Example: An 8-year carpet at $4,000 → 12.5% per year → $500 deduction every year for 8 years.
Diminishing Value
rate = 200 ÷ effective life
Front-loaded. Higher deductions in the early years, smaller in later years. The 200% rate applies to assets acquired after 10 May 2006. Better for cash flow.
Example: An 8-year carpet at $4,000 → 25% per year on the written-down value → $1,000 in year one, $750 in year two, declining each year.

Once you choose a method for an asset, you cannot change it later. Most investors choose Diminishing Value for shorter-life assets and Prime Cost for longer-life capital works. A registered tax depreciation specialist will model both for your property.

Get a Free Depreciation Estimate

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything property investors and accountants ask about effective lives and depreciation rates.

An ATO effective life is the period (in years) over which a depreciating asset can be expected to be used to produce assessable income. The ATO publishes effective lives for hundreds of asset types in the Income Tax (Effective Life of Depreciating Assets) Determination 2025 (LI 2025/20). Property investors and quantity surveyors use these figures to calculate annual depreciation deductions.
No. Taxation Ruling TR 2022/1 was withdrawn on 31 October 2025. The current authority is the Income Tax (Effective Life of Depreciating Assets) Determination 2025, also known as LI 2025/20, which is a legislative instrument with the full force of law. The published effective lives in the new Determination are the same figures previously listed in TR 2022/1, so depreciation calculations are unchanged in practice.
No. There is no TR 2025/1. The ATO has moved away from publishing periodic Taxation Rulings for effective lives. The current authority is a legislative instrument titled Income Tax (Effective Life of Depreciating Assets) Determination 2025 (LI 2025/20), updated on demand as effective life reviews complete, rather than annually as a TR.
Two methods are available. Prime Cost (straight-line): rate = 100% ÷ effective life in years. Diminishing Value: rate = 200% ÷ effective life in years (for assets acquired after 10 May 2006). Worked example: a carpet with an 8-year effective life has a prime cost rate of 12.5% and a diminishing value rate of 25%. Both rates are pre-calculated for you in the table above.
Diminishing value provides higher deductions in the early years and is generally preferred for shorter-life assets and investors who want maximum upfront deductions. Prime cost provides equal deductions every year and may suit investors planning to hold long-term. Once you choose a method for an asset, you cannot change it. A quantity surveyor can model both methods for your specific property.
TR 2019/5 (effective 1 July 2019) introduced the first major changes to residential effective lives since 2004. New additions included rainwater tanks, hydronic water heaters, skylight controls and motors, folding arm awnings, roller blinds, swimming pool covers and several outdoor items. Some lives were also shortened: carpet from 10 to 8 years, dishwashers and microwave ovens from 10 to 8 years, washing machines from 10 to 8 years, clothes dryers from 10 to 7 years, evaporative coolers from 25 to 15 years. These figures carried into TR 2022/1 unchanged and remain in the 2025 Determination.
The effective life table is the same, but you must use the effective life that applied at the time the asset was first installed ready for use. For assets in older properties, you may need to apply older effective lives (such as the pre-2019/5 figures shown in the notes column). The ATO restricts second-hand asset claims for residential properties acquired after 9 May 2017 unless you bought the property new.
This table focuses on assets commonly found in residential investment property. The full Income Tax (Effective Life of Depreciating Assets) Determination 2025 also covers commercial, industrial and agricultural assets across hundreds of industry classifications. For commercial properties, contact MCG directly for a tailored depreciation schedule.
The official source is the Income Tax (Effective Life of Depreciating Assets) Determination 2025 (LI 2025/20), available as a PDF on the ATO Legal Database. Tables A and B in the Determination contain the asset-by-asset effective life listings, updated on demand as new effective life reviews complete.

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