September 27, 2024

New tax clinic to help underrepresented communities in the Illawarra

ATO-backed clinic will boost students’ skills and increase access to professional tax support

A new tax clinic at the University of Wollongong (UOW) will help underrepresented members of the community to access professional advice while providing students with valuable workplace experience.

Part of the Australian Taxation Office’s (ATO) National Tax Clinic Program, the UOW clinic will launch in March 2025 and is one of five new clinics set to be established at university campuses around Australia next year. UOW has been awarded a grant just shy of $300,000 to operate the tax clinic over the next three years.

The National Tax Clinic Program is a government-funded initiative that helps individuals and small businesses who are not able to access tax advice due to economic, social or personal reasons. Students who are undertaking tax-related courses provide free tax advice and support, all under the supervision of qualified clinic managers and tax professionals. 

Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services, the Hon Stephen Jones MP, made the announcement at UOW’s Wollongong Campus today (Friday, 27 September).

“Having access to free and simple tax advice can make a big difference for a small business or individual who would otherwise be priced out of this service,” he said. 

“This program is already a huge success and expanding it to reach more people is a no brainer. 

“The additional five tax clinics, including the UOW Tax Clinic will allow more Australians to get the tax advice they need, as soon as they need it, while providing a training opportunity for students.

“These clinics are one of many measures the Albanese Government is implementing to help consumers make better-informed decisions and keep more of what they earn.”

Spearheaded by a team within the accounting discipline from the Faculty of Business and Law, the UOW Tax Clinic is the first of its kind to be established in the Illawarra and along the NSW South Coast. It will be open two days a week for 20 weeks a year, to coincide with the University’s Autumn and Spring semesters.

^{Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services, the Hon Stephen Jones MP, with Associate Professor Stephanie Perkiss.}

The team includes Associate Professor Stephanie Perkiss, Professor Lee Moerman, Dr Erin Twyford, and Dr Abdullah Al Mamun from the accounting discipline, with support from the Faculty Business Engagement team and UOW’s Industry and Engagement team. Other UOW service units will become involved as the program develops.

Associate Professor Perkiss, an expert in the field of environmental and social accounting, said the initiative will have a positive impact on the community and on students’ learning experiences.

“More than five million individual tax returns were lodged last year, and around 80,000 people were unable to afford professional help with those returns,” she said. “Many may be making mistakes on their returns, or not claiming everything they are owed, resulting in a proliferation of debts and financial hardship.

“The UOW Tax Clinic will service the Illawarra and South Coast regions. This huge geographic area encompasses many rural towns, suburbs and Indigenous communities, and is home to nearly 500,000 people. We know there are significant pockets of socioeconomic disadvantage and low-income populations.

“It can cost up to $300 for a standard tax return, so for those who are struggling to afford basic household items or are below the poverty line, this can be too costly.

“The clinic will help to break down the barriers to professional financial support and also reduce the shame around not being able to afford that sort of help.”

Students enrolled in business subjects will be able to participate in the UOW Tax Clinic through work-integrated learning programs or internships. Eligible students can also volunteer at the clinic. A qualified tax practitioner and academics from the School of Business will supervise and mentor the students and oversee all tax advice offered to clients.

The clinic will offer in-person and online/phone sessions, ensuring that those who are located in regional areas are not disadvantaged.

^{Dr Abdullah Al Mamun, Mrs Taryn McDonnell, Professor Lee Moerman, Dr Erin Twyford, Associate Professor Stephanie Perkiss, and Mr Scott Snaidero.}  

Professor Moerman said the clinic will be a holistic initiative that will benefit everyone. It will support community members by offering free tax advice, while the community members will, in turn, help students to enhance their skills.

“This is an amazing opportunity for students to gain tangible experience that will make them outstanding tax professionals in the long run. Working on tax-related issues with people who genuinely need help, learning how to interact with and speak to clients, is a vital education that cannot be replicated in the classroom.” 

UOW Interim Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic and Student Life) Senior Professor Sue Bennett congratulated the accounting discipline team on securing the UOW Tax Clinic and said it will be a game-changer for the community and for students.

“This is an incredible initiative that will provide a valuable service to people in the Illawarra and on the South Coast. We are building a talent pipeline of incredible tax professionals, and I’m delighted that UOW will continue to pay it forward for both students and the community,” Professor Bennett said.