The Australian Government will fund a free tax clinic at the University of the Sunshine Coast’s Moreton Bay campuses at Petrie and Caboolture, offering assistance to disadvantaged members of the community and small businesses starting in early 2025.
The clinic will receive $292,522 in funding to operate over the next three years through the National Tax Clinic Program – an Australian Government initiative.
The program allows individuals and small businesses who are otherwise unable to access tax advice due to economic, social or personal factors, to consult students for assistance – under the supervision of qualified tax professionals.
UniSC Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Helen Bartlett, said it would improve equity and access to opportunity in the City of Moreton Bay.
“We’re proud to be part of this tremendous initiative,” Professor Bartlett said.
“The tax clinic will assist eligible small businesses and vulnerable individuals in the region with their tax obligations while also enhancing the employability of UniSC students – many of whom will form part of Moreton Bay’s future workforce.”
While funded by the Australian Government, the clinic will be overseen by UniSC Accounting Undergraduate Program Coordinator, Dr Peter Baxter.
“Eligible students will complete a work-integrated learning placement with licensed professionals that goes towards the completion of their degree alongside, while helping members of the community who are struggling or unable to access tax assistance,” Dr Baxter said
“The City of Moreton Bay is home to over half a million people and is a rich and diverse community with more than 20 percent of the population born overseas. Whilst this diversity is celebrated, it also means some people may not have been exposed to our tax system before or its requirements.
“We also know that there are thousands of small businesses facing challenging demands to meet regulatory requirements; tax being just one. We look forward to building the knowledge and capability of our small businesses to meet their obligations.”
City of Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery welcomed the announcement as a positive for both residents and students.
“We look forward to leveraging the strong connections City of Moreton Bay already has with local small businesses, to use this service alongside the suite of other business support Council offers,” he said.
“With the large number of small businesses in the city, across a diverse range of services, this clinic will give people improved access to key information they need and reinforces our strong commitment to local business.
“It will also give students the opportunity to elevate their learning and enhance future employability.”
The tax clinic will support eligible clients with topics including:
- Assisting with MyGov and ATO online tools
- Tax file number (TFN) registrations and assisting with lost/stolen TFNs
- Advice on income tax areas including residency, assessable income, allowable deductions, capital gains tax, Medicare levy, Medicare levy surcharge and offsets/rebates
- Payment arrangements, penalty remission request and hardship requests relating to tax debts
- Lodging income tax returns
- Registrations for small businesses, including ABN and GST
- Lodging business activity statements
- Preparing and lodging objections to ATO decisions.
Media enquiries: Please contact the Media Team media@usc.edu.au