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Graduate Certificate in Applied Tax Law

Shape your career with your first Australian qualification in tax

 

 

Download your information pack today

Ready to start work with Australian clients? Here's your pathway to an Australian qualification in tax. 

The Graduate Certificate in Applied Tax Law allows international candidates with no prior professional tax experience to gain an Australian postgraduate qualification in tax. 

You’ll complete the Graduate Certificate in Applied Tax Law 100% online and there are no residency requirements, so you can study no matter where you are. As you study, you’re supported by a dedicated subject convenor for all your tax technical questions and a subject coordinator will assist with providing a world-class learning experience.

This program is perfect for many types of learners, including those who:

  • are embarking on their first Australian qualification 
  • are migrating to Australia and starting a career here
  • work with Australian clients who deal with tax law matters
  • own a business that interacts with the Australian tax system.

If you want help enrolling into the Graduate Certificate in Applied Tax Law, please submit an enquiry.

You'll learn
  • Key tax compliance requirements of the Australian tax system 
  • The ethics and responsibilities expected of a tax professional
  • Detailed skills and knowledge of the commercial law aspects relevant for tax professionals.
Subjects included

The four subjects you’ll study in the Graduate Certificate in Applied Tax Law are designed to give you a strong foundational knowledge of Australian tax and tax law, then build on your knowledge of how the tax system intersects with our legal system.

Subjects are:

Progression pathways

The Graduate Certificate in Applied Tax Law is a perfect starting point to launch into an Australian tax career or further study. Once completed, your options include:

  • Graduate with the Graduate Certificate in Applied Tax Law, an accredited Australian qualification. From here, you can go on to seek employment or further study as you see fit.
  • Go on to study a Graduate Diploma of Applied Tax Law once you have gained twelve months of Australian professional tax experience.
  • Use your completed Graduate Certificate as a stepping stone to enter our Tax Agent Program. All four subjects within the Graduate Certificate are approved by the Tax Practitioners Board which can assist with your Tax Agent application. You will need to complete just two more subjects to qualify to become a Tax Agent.*

*Please refer to the Tax Practitioners Board website for specific registration requirements. 

Gain a qualification with the leading tax forum in Australia

The Tax Institute Higher Education is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Tax Institute, a major professional association for tax practitioners in Australia. When you study with us, you can be sure you’re learning from and connecting to the best minds in tax.

Subjects: 4

Credit Points: 24 

Level: Postgraduate

Cost: $1,800 per subject 

CPD: 30 hours per subject

Delivery: Online 

Study Length: 1-2 years part-time

Education Level: Postgraduate

Study Periods: 3 per year 

 

Hear from subject convenors

Hear it from the people who know best. Our subject convenors have extensive experience in Australian tax law.

  • Entry qualification into the Graduate Diploma of Applied Tax Law 
  • Entry qualification into the Tax Agent Program
  • Meeting eligibility requirements that include an Australian Tax Law qualification for studies at other higher education institutions. 

Professional Recognition

  • Australian postgraduate degree in tax
  • Meeting the requirements of The Tax Practitioners Board – course in Australian Taxation Law 

  • A Subject Convenor - an experienced tax professional who candidates can email with tax-technical questions to help better understand the material presented.  
  • Presenters - who are experts in specific areas of tax and tax law.  
  • A Subject Coordinator - there to assist with any administrative or other non-tax technical queries.  
  • The Tax Institute Higher Education's Learning Management System enables students to access all subject materials online in one convenient place. This includes but is not limited to an online timetable, calendar, forum posts that keep students updated on current subject events, orientation information, subject outlines, live and pre-recorded webinars, practice exams, online activities, revision materials, PDF module notes, and additional resources such as online units about searching for and interpreting legislation and case law.  

We welcome people working in the Australian tax industry with non-student visa status.

 

A Graduate Certificate in Applied Tax Law candidate will:

  1. Hold an Australian diploma or bachelor degree (or local equivalent)
  2. Candidates who do not meet the academic admission requirement, but have three years of relevant tax experience gained within the last five years can also be admitted on the basis of their professional experience
  3. Meet minimum English language requirements

Candidates must provide the following documents to confirm their enrolment:

  1. Testamur and Transcript of their degree or diploma listing all subjects completed
  2. Candidates applying on the basis of their professional experience (who do not meet the qualification requirements) must provide a current CV demonstrating Australian tax and/or Australian tax law experience
  3. If the language of instruction from the highest qualification completed was not in English, an English proficiency score showing an equivalent to an overall Academic IELTS of 7 with a minimum of 6.5 in the speaking and listening bands and a minimum of 7 in the reading and writing) or equivalent that was completed within 2 years of your commencement date
  4. Completion of the mandatory higher education data collection which is sent to you after application

Core Subjects

The core subjects that make up the compulsory program are:

It is recommended that candidates complete ATL001 CTA1 Foundations and ATL002 CommLaw1 Australian Legal System before completing ATL005 CommLaw2 Entities and Business and ATL006 CommLaw3 Property Law.

The CTA1 Foundations and CommLaw1 Australian Legal System will give the candidate knowledge of Australian Tax Law and the Australian Legal System which will be useful context for the remaining two subjects.

 

Distance learning

The program is facilitated via distance learning mode; a flexible learning approach using an online learning platform supported by webinars and email support with a subject matter expert.

The types of professionals that the Graduate Certificate in Applied Tax Law is suitable for include:

  • Those who are currently working in adjacent professions, that wish to enter the Australian tax profession and require an Australian qualification
  • Those who are already working in a tax role (with a non-relevant Australian qualification) and require a relevant Australian qualification to upskill in Australian Taxation Law
  • Those who have relevant overseas qualifications and are practicing tax in Australia without an Australian qualification. This certificate will  formalise their professional experience and bring their existing knowledge up to date for the Australian landscape
  • Those who wish to gain recognition from and registration with The Tax Practitioners Board – CTA1 Foundations is an approved introductory tax subject and CommLaw1, CommLaw2 and CommLaw3 are recognised together as a course in commercial law

Recognition of prior learning (RPL) 

RPL is a process for providing candidates credit for learning or qualifications completed before your enrolment with The Tax Institute Higher Education. 

Applicants generally require a Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent for recognition of prior learning. Recognition for prior learning may be available for up to two subjects in total. It is therefore possible to complete the program in a shorter time frame.

To apply for RPL (fee $165), please complete  the RPL form.  Evidence of your qualifications will need to be provided with this application. 

Please view our current timetable.

Please refer to the Candidate Handbook for our Candidate care guide and comprehensive information on our relevant policies.

Please refer to our Privacy, Copyright & Disclaimer for information on the way we handle personal information. 

Subject fees

Standard subject enrolment fee $1,800 

Early bird discount $100

Assessment only subject enrolment fee $1,170 

Key dates and fees are subject to change without notice.  View The Tax Institute Higher Education policies

 

Gain your entry qualification in tax

Pathway to the Graduate Diploma of Applied Tax Law

Subjects approved by the Tax Practitioners Board

Get Your Information Pack

Complete the form below to receive an Information Pack with expanded program overviews and exclusive sample learning materials.