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James Dawson, Northern Territory Government
James Dawson, the dux of ATL008 Tax for Trusts shares his journey from curiosity about his own tax savings to shaping policy and inspiring others through his dedication to tax education and reform.
“I am indebted to my wife, Kate, who selflessly picked up the ‘parenting slack’ I inflicted upon our family!” James Dawson, father of two, told us modestly when asked about his journey to achieving dux. When he’s not with his family on bike rides or looking for frogs in the backyard, he works as an Assistant Director at the Territory Revenue Office within the Northern Territory Department of Treasury and Finance.
His entry into the tax industry started with refreshingly honest motivations, ones we certainly don’t hear everyday at TTI.
“Admittedly, my initial attraction to tax was entirely out of self-interest: “How can I keep more of what I earn?” he admits with a laugh. After completing a Bachelor of Laws/International Studies at Macquarie University and being admitted as a Solicitor in the Supreme Court of NSW, James went on to study a Graduate Certificate in Business at QUT. “I have just shy of 9 years’ experience in the world of tax. I started out as an employment taxes consultant at KPMG in Sydney, before transitioning into tax and revenue policy within the Northern Territory Department of Treasury and Finance.”
When curiosity became purpose
What transformed James’s perspective was discovering the deeper purpose behind tax frameworks.
“I became intrigued by the policy choices underpinning taxation frameworks. I started to wonder what mischief they were attempting to address, and what social outcomes they achieved. I am truly passionate about how taxes are designed and their impact on society.
As I’ve ventured further into the world of tax, I’ve learned just how interwoven it is with seemingly unrelated societal outcomes. The ability to influence these outcomes through tax is genuinely fulfilling. I derive a lot of pleasure from bringing about ‘A-ha’ moments in others, in a way that inculcates genuine understanding of a complex topic,” he explains enthusiastically.
Eyes on the future
Given his keen interest in superannuation, an area of tax that undoubtedly affects all Australians, his future learning is pretty clear.
“I’m one subject away from attaining the Graduate Diploma of Applied Tax Law. I’ll be enrolling in the Advanced Superannuation subject in 2026 and I’m really looking forward to developing my expertise in that field, particularly given how almost all Australians will interact with the superannuation system at some point in their lives.”
That ‘A-ha’ moment when studying at TTI
“Trusts had always been somewhat of a mystery to me,” James reflects on his Tax for Trusts subject experience. “I had no appreciation for their practical use, nor how real people might make use of them day to day, or the issues they would encounter when making decisions about their use.
To that end, I found the letter of advice and late breaking fact to be the most interesting aspects of the subject. Particularly, how family dynamics force advisors to reckon with what is permissible under the trust deed, and the point at which obsessive tax optimisation triggers anti avoidance considerations. It was also interesting to consider how an unruly or unwitting advisor might stuff things up!”
What advice would you give someone looking to further their education?
“Do it already! Add enough feathers to your cap and you’ll fly!”
With his combination of technical excellence, policy insight, and genuine passion for demystifying tax complexities, James Dawson exemplifies the kind of tax professional who doesn't just understand the rules but also assesses their impact on people's lives. That is, when he's not playing hide-and-seek with his kids or dreaming about getting reacquainted with his PlayStation.