Choosing the right desk chair is one of the most important decisions you can make for your home office or workspace – it’s the difference between a good work day or one that ends at the physio. The best office chair will feel good to sit in, and you should be able to adjust it so that your feet sit flat on the floor, your back vertical and straight and your arms sitting parallel to the desk, and supported by the armrests. 

At a Glance: Claiming an Office Desk Chair at Tax Time

There’s no better time to upgrade office essentials than at tax time. If you work from home, you may be able to claim your chair, desk or other office-related furniture as a tax deduction. Items $300 or less can be claimed immediately, while items over $300 are claimed over time based on how they depreciate in value. If you’re using furniture for both work and private use, you can only claim the work-related portion. Hold onto your receipts and keep records of when you use these items.

Infographic comparing claimable items (office desk and chairs, lamps and bookshelves, powerboards and charging cables, repairs and insurance on work furniture) versus non-claimable items (private use items and items provided by others).  

Not sure where you stand? Talk to a registered tax agent or contact the Australian Taxation Office before lodging your return.

How to Choose the Right Desk Chair

Everyone has a different body and preference for what feels comfortable, but a great desk chair isn’t just about how it feels when you first try it out – it’s how it will support your posture and body over longer stretches of time. Consider these factors before making your final pick.

How Long You’ll Be Sitting in Your Desk Chair Each Day

Desk chairs come with a usage time recommendation, which is usually anywhere between one and eight hours plus. Consider how long you really spend sitting during your work day; do you lock in for hours at a time? Does your work day regularly take you away from your desk? The answers to these questions will help you narrow your search. 

However long your day is, make sure you take regular micro breaks to stand up and stretch your back, legs, neck and shoulders and walk around during your work day. 

A person sits in an ergonomic office chair at a home office desk, writing in a notebook beside a computer and printer, with daylight from a large window behind.

What Are the Ergonomic Features of the Chair?

Ergonomic design refers to seating that supports the body’s natural posture and movements, reducing strain and maximising comfort. Desk chairs have adjustable seats and backrests. If you want the bells and whistles of ergonomics, you’re looking for a chair with:

  • adjustable seat height
  • adjustable seat tilt
  • a backrest that can tilt forwards and backwards
  • armrests that can be raised or lowered and can be moved to allow you to get as close to your desk as possible 
  • curved lumbar support that can be adjusted to fit into the curve of your lower back

At a minimum, you want a chair where you can change the seat height to allow you to rest your feet on the floor and the seat depth (seat slide) to accommodate your leg length. And ideally you should be able to easily make these adjustments while you’re sitting in the chair. ‍

Your Body Type ‍

Make sure the seat width and weight capacity are appropriate for your body type and build. Each seat comes with a weight capacity dimension and you want your feet to sit flat on the floor or you can use a footrest.

Your Flooring‍

The general rule is to use soft wheels on hard floors to avoid scratching and hard wheels on soft floors like carpet to minimise sinking. This can’t always be factored in though as you may move houses or to offices with different flooring. Consider buying a chair mat to protect your floors and for more ‘grip’ if you need it. 

There are lots of great chairs available; to help with decision overwhelm we’ve picked out seven excellent options so you can find the one that works best for you. 

All Rounder Desk Chair: Pago Electra Office Chair with Headrest Blue

The Pago Electra office chair in ‘Blue’, with a light-blue-grey headrest, back and seat, light blue armrests and base, and black castors, shown on an orange background.

Weight capacity: 130kg
Usage time: 8+ hours
Approximate assembly time: 20 minutes
Warranty: 10 years

Apart from being able to bring you snacks at 3pm (if only!), the Pago Electra has everything you want from an office desk chair. Spend 20 minutes assembling and you can get back to work quickly. It’s designed with a whole host of ergonomic features, including adjustable lumbar support, headrest, back tilt and armrest, suiting most body types. And the support doesn’t stop there – its moulded foam seat cushion gives you a plush place to land. The sky-blue and black palette make it a stylish addition to your space, plus its Blue Tick certification from the Australasian Furnishing Research and Development Institute (AFRDI) proves it has met the rigorous standards for ergonomics and durability. 

Best Value Desk Chair: Otto Nordby Desk Chair Fabric Grey

The Otto Nordby desk chair in ‘Grey Fabric’, with a light grey open backrest and padded arms on a black base with castors, shown against a pink background.‍

Weight capacity: 120kg
Usage time: 1 to 3 hours
Approximate assembly time: 20 minutes
Warranty: 3 years

With a recommended usage time of up to three hours, the Otto Nordby is a great desk chair for occasional WFH use, helpful if you use a sit-stand desk and alternate your posture throughout the day. Its chair tilt and height adjustability can be customised to suit your comfort. The modern chair design and comfortable grey fabric makes it look and feel premium. 

Great Desk Chair for Adjustability: Pago Eris Ergonomic Office Chair Red 

The Pago Eris ergonomic office chair in ‘Red’, with a coral-coloured textured high back, headrest and adjustable armrests, and a red base with black castors, shown against a teal background.

Weight capacity: 130kg
Usage time: 8+ hours
Approximate assembly time: 15 minutes
Warranty: 10 years

Make epic work days feel easier on your body with the Pago Eris, which is designed to help you maintain good posture from your first sip of morning coffee until you power down your computer at COB. The ergonomics are impressive and designed for precision: adjust the arms to sit closer to your desk and support your wrists properly, slide the seat to the position that feels most comfortable and the height-adjustable headrest goes the extra mile for head to toe ergonomic alignment. 

Comfiest Office Chair: YINDI Goonyam Ergonomic Chair with Armrests

The YINDI Goonyam office chair with adjustable armrests, black mesh back and patterned fabric seat on a black base and castors, shown on a yellow background.

Weight capacity: 110kg
Usage time: 8+ hours
Approximate assembly time: 10 minutes
Warranty: 5 years

If you’re after a workhorse that welcomes you to sit comfortably for long hours and is quick to put together, the YINDI Goonyam is the one for you. As supportive as your best mate, it has a three-lever system, allowing you to adjust the seat height, back height and back tilt angle. You can also adjust the armrests making it easy to customise to your most comfortable working posture. With Indigenous-made under-seat plastic and an Aboriginal-designed printed pattern, this chair is also one of a range which partners with Yindi manufacturing, which helps to foster economic growth and empower Indigenous communities.  

Office Chair with Best Design: Pago Aries Chair Grey

The Pago Aries office chair in ‘Grey’, with a light grey mesh seat and back, armrests and base with black castors, shown against an orange background.‍

Weight capacity: 130kg
Usage time: 5 to 8 hours
Approximate assembly time: 15 minutes
Warranty: 5 years

Looking for an office chair that has the key ergonomic features but also looks elegant? Our pick is the Pago Aries. It’s a lighter-looking office chair where the seat height and chair tilt adjustability levers are neatly concealed within the frame of the chair, so it feels minimalist. The mesh backrest allows for airflow to keep you cool through a hot Aussie summer and its sleek curved armrests offer essential arm support. 

Luxe Desk Chair: Lindenberg Chair Velvet Green

The Lindenberg desk chair in ‘Velvet green’, with a forest-green velvet high back, padded arms and seat on a bronze base with black castors, shown against a purple background.

Weight capacity: 120kg
Usage time: 5 to 8 hours
Approximate assembly time: 20 minutes
Warranty: 8 years

If you’re looking for a chair that looks luxurious but also has a premium adjustment mechanism, the Lindenberg is a show-stopping choice. Its emerald-green velvet upholstery will make you feel like you’re working in a fancy advertising agency, even when you’re working in your hoodie and slippers (on a no-meeting day, of course). You won’t be sacrificing ergonomics for the good looks, as the chair has tilt, seat height and tilt tension adjustments plus a 360-degree rotator swivel. 

Office Chair with Extra Seat Padding: Pago AirForm Synchro Ergo Chair Peach Orange

The Pago AirForm Synchro Ergo office chair in ‘Peach Orange’, with a peach-coloured seat and back, adjustable grey armrests and a white base on castors, shown against a purple background.

Weight capacity: 130kg
Usage time: 8+ hours
Approximate assembly time: 15 minutes
Warranty: 15 years

The best desk chairs are the ones that are seriously comfortable – that’s where the Pago AirForm has your back. The seat is made from premium, thick moulded foam to give good padding and maintain all-day comfort. The peach colour will keep your office looking fresh while its key ergonomic adjustments, including seat depth, seat height, backrest and height-adjustable arms will keep you feeling alert all day long.   

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This is general information only and does not constitute taxation or legal advice. Other requirements under the tax law apply. Seek professional financial and/or legal advice to determine the right outcomes for your business or individual needs.