Glossary · Last reviewed 28 Oct 2026
What is a logbook?
Short answer
A record of your car journeys used to work out how much of the car's use is for business; the first year you use it, keep it for at least 12 continuous weeks.
Source: ATO, logbook method · checked 28 Oct 2026
What it includes
Among other things: the start and end of the logbook period, odometer readings at the start and end, total kilometres, the business-use percentage, the car's make, model, engine capacity and registration, and for each journey its reason, dates, odometer readings and kilometres. The 12 weeks must be representative of your travel through the year, and a logbook is valid for five years.
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