Indigenous communities

Tax clinics for Indigenous Australians

Indigenous Australians ‒ particularly those living in regional, remote, and correctional settings ‒ continue to face structural barriers in accessing Australia’s tax and superannuation systems. Limited access to identification documents, digital exclusion, low levels of financial literacy, and historical mistrust of government services all contribute to disengagement. The result is widespread non-compliance, missed entitlements, unclaimed refunds, unmanageable tax debts, and long-term economic disadvantage.

Tax clinics are working to directly address these inequities. Through targeted outreach, they deliver culturally safe, community-led tax assistance and financial education to individuals who would otherwise remain excluded from the system. This work goes beyond tax compliance – it builds confidence, promotes financial empowerment, and contributes meaningfully to Closing the Gap targets in economic participation and access to essential services.

Reaching these communities requires significant commitment. Tax clinic staff and student volunteers have travelled thousands of kilometres across some of the most isolated parts of the country, including the Kimberley and Pilbara regions, Arnhem Land, and the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) and Ngaanyatjarra (NG) Lands. Often facing extreme heat, unsealed roads, and minimal infrastructure, these teams give their time and expertise to ensure even the most remote communities receive the support they need to manage their financial affairs with dignity.

Importantly, this work is grounded in collaboration. Tax clinics work closely with Indigenous corporations, financial counsellors, and local community leaders to ensure services are culturally appropriate and responsive to local needs. These partnerships not only strengthen trust but ensure that support continues beyond the outreach visits. This model of respectful, community-driven engagement is essential to delivering lasting impact and promoting systemic inclusion.

Tax clinics with registered tax agents continue to help locals from the city, by communicating with the ATO on their behalf regarding amendments and similar and also taking on new clients filtered through by local financial counsellors.

Case study: visiting the APV Lands with MoneyMob In August 2024, the University of South Australia (UniSA) Tax Clinic joined representatives from MoneyMob on a 2-week visit to the APY Lands, assisting Indigenous Australians with their tax. The trip required extensive preparation, including obtaining entry permits, ensuring staff had proper training and supplies, and securing enough food for the journey. Once there, we faced significant challenges. Each day, we travelled to a new location, often encountering poor internet connectivity and minimal accommodation, at times sleeping on the floor. At local TAFE campuses and community centres, we set up simple workstations using trestle tables and laptops. Throughout the trip, we engaged with and assisted hundreds of local residents. Workloads varied depending on the time of day and local events. While some moments were tense due to unmet expectations or technology issues, the overall atmosphere was filled with laughter, purpose, and small victories. The UniSA Tax Clinic directly helped over 100 taxpayers lodge their returns, securing over $200,000 in refunds for them. From Adelaide, our support continues, assisting many from the APY Lands with tax lodgments, amendments, objections, and debt resolution. During our time in the APY Lands, it became evident that Indigenous Australians face unique challenges in engaging with the tax system, particularly in accessing their myGov accounts. Some difficulties stem from their remote location and limited infrastructure, while others arise from identity-related issues such as inconsistent birthdate records across government agencies, lack of documentation, and shared or lost mobile phones. Tax clinics continue to advocate for more accessible processes, ensuring amendments, objections, and myGov access account for these circumstances. Despite the challenges, the trip was invaluable – it allowed us to witness firsthand the obstacles Indigenous Australians face in navigating the tax system and gave us the opportunity to help them overcome these barriers.

 

Case study: an enriching trip to Minjilang In a significant effort to improve financial access for remote communities, the Charles Darwin University (CDU) Tax Clinic, in collaboration with SAMAF Accountants and Consultants, recently visited the Minjilang community on Croker Island in the Northern Territory. This outreach was proudly supported by the Arnhem Land Progress Aboriginal Corporation (ALPA), which facilitated travel arrangements and engaged with the local community. The visit was part of a national effort to provide direct tax assistance to those who might otherwise struggle to access support. In a single day, our small team helped 23 individuals, many of whom had years of unlodged tax returns. Some had multiple missed assessments, leaving refunds and entitlements unclaimed with the ATO simply because the process felt too complex or out of reach. For many residents of Minjilang and other remote areas, navigating the tax system can be overwhelming. Limited access to identity documents, unreliable internet connectivity, and a deep mistrust of government services have made engagement difficult. As a result, many individuals have unclaimed refunds, accumulating debts, and a growing sense of exclusion. The CDU Tax Clinic and SAMAF initiated a face-to-face visit, creating a safe, respectful, and understanding environment. Rather than simply processing paperwork, we focused on listening and supporting. With ALPA’s assistance, the clinic fostered a space where people felt comfortable sharing their concerns and receiving help without fear of judgment. The experience demonstrated the impact of collaboration between communities and service providers. While this visit marked an important step forward, it is clear that much work remains. Across the Northern Territory, numerous remote communities still require assistance. Tax and superannuation are not just financial matters, they are about equity, inclusion, and ensuring that no one is left behind