How you can benefit financially from lockdown from no train fares to claiming ...

Australians forced to work from home because of the lockdown can at least save some money and claim some of the cost back on tax.

Working from the dining table with a laptop computer at least means a Sydney professional, living in an outer suburb more than 25km from the city centre, isn't spending $25 a week on train fares.

Financial comparison group Finder calculated an Opal card user would save $4.90 a day by not catching the train, $4.10 avoiding the bus, and $7 not needing a ferry.

Those calculations are averages based on fares divided the number of trips for mainly return travellers and some commuters making single journeys.

Graham Cooke, Finder's head of research, said transport costs were 'surprisingly expensive' for those living a long way from the office.

'It's staggering to see just how much Aussies are forking out on commuting to and from the office,' he told Daily Mail Australia.

The opportunity to work from home is also a chance to save.

'Australians should be setting aside what they'd usually spend on transport during this time and put it in their savings instead,' Mr Cooke said.

The temptation to buy a $3.50 takeaway cappuccino saves another $17.50 a week on top of the $50 not spent on a $10 sandwich for lunch every day. 

While professionals working from home may be less likely to splurge on café food, they will incur higher electricity bills, with more than 12 million now in lockdown in Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Darwin, Townville and Alice Springs.

Under special Covid rules that expired on Wednesday, Australians working from home have been allowed to claim a flat 80c-an-hour rate on tax.