A Complete Guide to Custom Workwear and

Uniforms for Australian Businesses

By Anh Duong  ·  Last updated 29 September 2026

Picture two identical navy polos. One has your logo embroidered on the chest. The other has a name badge pinned in the same spot. On the shop floor they look almost the same. To the tax office they are not. Under the ATO's clothing rules, clothing counts as distinctive when it has the employer's logo permanently attached and isn't available to the public. Everyday clothing doesn't count as a compulsory uniform, even if staff are required to wear it or pin a name badge to it. A logo on its own still isn't enough, as you'll see below.

That's one of several details that decide whether custom workwear actually works for your business. This guide covers how to choose garments for your industry, when to embroider and when to print, how to keep hi-vis compliant, what to expect when you order, and how to avoid paying for reprints.

What custom workwear actually means

Custom workwear is a garment you choose with your branding added, usually by embroidery or printing. Custom uniforms go one step further. They are a matched set your team wears together, so customers can tell straight away who works for you.

You'll also see the terms branded workwear and workwear with logo. They describe the same idea.

There are two ways to get it done:

•       Buy the garments and the branding together. Choose from ranges such as Syzmik, JB's Wear, Biz Collection, AS Colour and Portwest, then add your logo.

•       Bring your own garments. If you already have stock, our embroidery and printing service can brand it for you.

Start with the job, then pick the garment

It's easy to start with the logo size and colour. It usually works better to start with what your staff actually do all day. A polo that suits a reception desk can be the wrong choice for a roofer in January.

A few practical points:

•       Hospitality roles differ. Front-of-house staff are seen by every customer, so the look matters most there. Kitchen and back-of-house staff need garments that cope with heat and spills.

•       Healthcare uniforms get washed often. Check your facility's uniform and infection control policy before you choose the fabric and decoration. If you choose print, follow the care guidance further down this page.

•       Corporate teams notice fit. Offer women's cuts such as women's polos, not only unisex styles. A uniform people are happy to wear is one they actually wear.

Embroidery or print, which suits your garments

The decoration method affects how your logo looks, how long it lasts and what it costs.

Other methods such as DTF, heat transfer, vinyl and sublimation may also be used. The Man At Work production team picks the method based on your artwork and the garment's fabric.

Fabric matters too. Cotton and cotton blends give the best print results. Polyester, nylon and waterproof fabrics may need testing first.

A simple rule of thumb:

•       Embroider small logos on polos, jackets, caps and corporate shirts.

•       Print large back logos, hi-vis tees and short-run event shirts.

Branding hi-vis without losing compliance

Hi-vis needs extra care before you add a logo, because a badly placed logo can affect compliance.

In Australia, hi-vis safety garments for high-risk work are covered by AS 4602.1:2024, which replaced AS/NZS 4602.1:2011. Older stock may still carry a label for the 2011 edition, so check the garment's label or the supplier's compliance sheet to see which standard it's certified to.

Follow these rules when you add a logo:

•       Put logos on the fluorescent fabric.

•       Never place a logo over reflective tape.

•       Check the smallest size in your order. The minimum fluorescent area must remain on the smallest size, not just the largest. A back print that fits a 3XL can cover too much of an XS.

If you're unsure, ask for the garment's compliance sheet before you order. Browse our hi-vis workwear for trades and construction.

How logos and uniform policies affect tax claims

This is general information, not tax advice. It's still worth knowing before you set a uniform policy, because it affects what your staff can claim. The ATO's page on clothing, laundry and dry-cleaning expenses has the full rules.

•       Plain clothing doesn't count, even if you require it. The ATO's examples include black trousers worn by waiters, business attire in an office, and jeans or drill shirts on a worksite.

•       A logo alone isn't enough. A distinctive item with the employer's logo permanently attached can qualify, but only when wearing it is compulsory under a policy that's strictly and consistently enforced.

•       Optional uniforms need registration. If a uniform is encouraged but not enforced, the design must be on the Register of Approved Occupational Clothing before staff can claim. A registered uniform has to be a complete outfit, not a top on its own or pants on their own.

•       Staff can't claim items you pay for. If you buy, replace or clean their work clothing, or reimburse them, there's no deduction for them to make.

A logo helps make a uniform distinctive, and embroidery is the clearest way to show it's permanently attached. A printed logo on an otherwise plain garment is less clear-cut. Either way, the logo doesn't make a uniform deductible on its own. A compulsory, consistently enforced written uniform policy matters just as much.

If you own the business, speak to your accountant about deductions for uniforms you buy for staff and how fringe benefits tax (FBT) applies. Registering a non-compulsory uniform may also reduce FBT if you provide it free or at a reduced cost.

What affects the cost of custom workwear

We won't quote prices here, because they depend on your order. These are the things that move the total:

•       The garment. Brand, fabric and style all change the base price.

•       Number of logo positions. Each extra position, such as a sleeve or back print, adds to the cost.

•       Logo setup. A new logo has a one-off setup cost. Repeat orders with the same logo don't pay it again, as long as you give your previous order number or name so we can find your file.

•       Decoration method. Embroidery, screen printing and DTG are priced differently.

•       Quantity. Ask about bulk pricing on larger orders.

The setup point is easy to overlook. If you plan to reorder over the year, keep the same logo file and placement so you only pay setup once.

How to order custom workwear without reprints

The minimum order is 5 per garment. Most reprints come from details that were missed at the start, so work through this list before you order:

•       Send vector artwork. PDF, AI or EPS files work best. A logo copied from your website is usually too low in resolution.

•       Choose logo positions. Common options include left chest, right chest, sleeve and centre top back. Some garments offer A4 or A3 back print sizes.

•       Collect sizes by name. Check them against the size guide on each product page. Don't guess.

•       Test the fit first. Have a few staff try each style before you order for the whole team.

•       Record the details. Write down the garment code, colour, logo size, position and order number. Your next order will then match this one.

•       Order a few spares for new starters and replacements.

Where a product page shows logo options, you can choose the decoration type, upload your artwork, pick the position, and mark whether it's a new or repeat logo. For a larger team order, choose the Company / Team Order option. 

What happens after you order

•       You'll see a mock-up first. Before production starts, you receive a graphical mock-up showing how your logo will look.

•       Colours are matched as closely as possible. Embroidery thread is chosen to be as close as possible to your mock-up. Exact Pantone matches aren't guaranteed.

•       Turnaround is typically around 2 to 3 business days, depending on the quantity of garments.

Looking after printed garments

Printed garments need a little care. Follow these three rules:

•       Don't wash them hot.

•       Avoid hot drying.

•       Don't iron printed garments directly.

This matters most for teams that wash uniforms often, such as healthcare and hospitality staff.

Common mistakes to avoid

•       Shrinking a large logo for the chest. Thin lines and small text can disappear in embroidery. You may need a simplified version of your logo for small placements.

•       Pinning badges to plain clothes. It may look like a uniform, but it doesn't count as a distinctive uniform for staff tax claims.

•       Assuming every item can be branded. Safety boots and many PPE items usually aren't decorated. Check the product page or ask before you plan your uniform around them.

Bringing your own garments

If you already have garments, you can bring them in for branding. A few conditions apply:

•       Garments must be brand new and unworn.

•       Fabric matters. Cotton and cotton blends print best. Some synthetic fabrics need testing.

•       Everything is checked first. All garments are assessed before production.

Find out more about our embroidery and printing services.

Getting your custom workwear right

Good custom workwear starts with what your team does each day, then matches the garment and decoration method to it. A logo helps make a uniform distinctive, but a clear, enforced uniform policy matters just as much. Keeping the same logo file makes reorders cheaper and more consistent.

Choose your garment and upload your logo. Start with hi-vis workwear, hospitality uniforms, healthcare uniforms or corporate wear, then add your logo on the product page.

Frequently asked questions

How long does custom workwear take?

Turnaround is typically around 2 to 3 business days, depending on the quantity of garments.

Is there a minimum order for custom workwear?

Yes. The minimum order is 5 per garment.

Do I pay a setup fee every time I reorder?

No. For a repeat order with the same logo, give your previous order number or name. If we can't find the original file, setup fees apply.

What file format should I send for my logo?

PDF, AI or EPS files work best, up to 15MB.

Can you add a logo to safety boots or PPE?

Not every item can be decorated. Check the product page or ask us before you order.

Can I supply my own garments for printing or embroidery?

Yes. Garments must be brand new and unworn. Cotton and cotton blends give the best print results.

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