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When it comes to continuing education in the tax field, there are a few options open to you. Structured education programs not only offer insight into tax-related topics but are also a chance to make connections with other tax aficionados and to gain a qualification as an expert.
But which one do you choose? To help you decide, we’ve put together this summary of two common higher education paths: a Graduate Diploma of Applied Tax Law (Grad Dip) and a Masters of Tax.
What is the Graduate Diploma of Applied Tax Law?
The Graduate Diploma of Applied Tax Law is a highly practical education program and postgraduate qualification. It delves into various aspects of the Australian taxation system, equipping you with an understanding of how the system is structured and how it functions in various situations. You will be studying alongside developing professionals from some of Australia’s largest professional firms, who have entrusted us to develop their staff from graduates to professionals.
Through this up-to-date qualification, you’ll gain skills, knowledge and tools you can employ in real-world client situations.
Key learning outcomes include understanding:
The Grad Dip is made up of 3 core subjects and 3 elective subjects which gives you the opportunity to tailor your program, so you can study what makes sense for your career and interests. Depending on which subjects are chosen, the Graduate Diploma of Applied Tax Law may also satisfy the educational requirements for Tax Agent registration with the Tax Practitioners Board. This will additionally give you the ability to apply for your own Tax Agent licence in the future.
A Grad Dip opens many doors in the tax profession by equipping you with skills you need to effectively deal with clients. Some career paths include:
During your Graduate Diploma of Applied Tax Law, you’ll complete CTA1 Foundations, CTA2A Advanced and CTA2B Advanced as core subjects, which means you’re just one educational step away from gaining your Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) designation. You can enrol in the final subject, CTA3 Advisory, as a single subject and earn both the Grad Dip and the prestigious Chartered Tax Adviser designation in one efficient study path. However, to enrol into CTA3 Advisory you must have at least 36 months’ relevant Australian tax or tax law experience.
Plus, if you’re looking at a career in academia or simply want to further your studies, the Graduate Diploma gives you prior learning credit in many Masters of Tax programs.
A Master of Tax, or Master of Taxation, is offered by various universities around Australia, usually as a pathway for students to specialise in tax after a degree in law, economics, business or other related disciplines.
Through this degree, you’ll develop research and analysis skills, to build understanding of and exposure to the Australian taxation system and its components.
Like the Graduate Diploma of Applied Tax Law, a Masters of Tax is usually made up of core subjects and electives where you can choose to specialise. Subjects broadly cover topics such as corporate and commercial tax, business taxation, personal tax, financial planning, indirect taxes, and international tax, though the exact subjects on offer will depend on which university you choose.
The Master of Taxation leaves you with a high level of specialist knowledge and can be a key step in opening a career in research or academia. Other career options you may choose include:
We like to say that there isn’t a best choice, just the choice that’s right for you… your learning style, your lifestyle and your goals. There are advantages and disadvantages to any program and finding the one that best works for you is key to ensuring you not only complete your studies, but that they are practical and applicable to your chosen career.
We asked our dedicated Student Adviser, Tom Reynolds, why our learners choose a Graduate Diploma of Applied Tax Law, and he said some of the common reasons include:
| Graduate Diploma of Applied Tax Law | Master of Taxation* *Information collected from a sample of select universities and may not reflect details of all similar degrees. Please consider information indicative and correct at the time of publish. Check your preferred institution’s website for latest information. |
Offered by | Various universities, including:
| |
Study mode | Online | Online or on-campus |
Length of study | 1-2 years part-time You can extend study for up to 5 years and choose to study one subject at a time, to fit with your work schedule. | 1 year full-time 2-3.5 years part-time* *Reduced if exemptions are granted from completing our Graduate Diploma of Applied Tax Law |
Number of subjects | 6 | 8 |
Cost | $10,800 ($1,800 per subject). | $28,300 – $44,416 * *Reduced if exemptions are granted from completing our Graduate Diploma of Applied Tax Law |
Admission requirements |
We welcome Australian citizens, residents and those working in the Australian tax industry with non-student visa status. | Common admission requirements include:
Please check requirements for each institution. The above may be required in different combinations with other criteria, and may not apply to all institutions |
By now, you should be a little clearer around what your next step is in furthering your tax education. But, if you're still unsure and would like to discuss the right pathway for you, don’t hesitate to call our friendly student advisers on 1300 829 338 or submit an enquiry online. You can also head to our website to find more information on the Graduate Diploma of Applied Tax Law.
Publish date: 31 May 2022