Overview of the National Tax Clinic program
The vision of The National Tax Clinic program (the program) is to create a nationally recognised network of tax clinics across Australia that can offer high-quality and reliable tax support to eligible taxpayers, while providing valuable learning opportunities for students studying tax-related courses at participating universities and TAFE institutions. Tax clinics address a gap in the market for those taxpayers who may not be able to afford advice and representation and who are unsure of approaching the ATO for assistance.
The program is an Australian Government-funded initiative supporting educational institutions to operate independent tax clinics.
There are 4 key program activities, in which tax clinics:
- Provide advice to clients to better understand the tax system
- Represent unrepresented taxpayers and small businesses when they need to interact with the ATO
- Undertake educational activities to better inform students, taxpayers, and the broader community on matters of interest and concern
- Advocate on behalf of clients when systemic taxation-related issues are identified in their dealings with regulatory or government agencies.
Tax clinics may also conduct research on tax compliance behaviours of unrepresented or disadvantaged individuals and businesses to inform and support improvements to tax administration in Australia.
Since its inception in 2019, the program has assisted over 21,000 vulnerable taxpayers throughout Australia to address and resolve a host of tax-related issues. This has shaped key program outcomes, including:
- providing invaluable learning opportunities and practical experience for students who are the future of Australia’s tax profession
- increasing tax awareness and literacy within our community
- improving taxpayer confidence in managing their obligations and compliance activities
- improving access to and understanding of information that supports taxpayer rights and entitlements
- strengthening collaboration and partnership between universities, tax professionals, community organisations and government agencies
- reducing unnecessary stressors related to managing tax affairs.
Tax clinics also serve as a vital bridge between student learning and community service, offering meaningful experiential learning opportunities for students while addressing the tax-related needs of vulnerable Australians. This hands-on model of learning directly aligns with the UN SDG 4 (Quality Education) by cultivating professional capabilities in real-world settings while fostering compassion, ethical responsibility, and social awareness.
Our history
2018
The concept of university-based tax clinics in Australia began in 2018, when Curtin University in Perth, Western Australia, launched the country's first tax clinic. This pioneering initiative served as a pilot program, aiming to provide free tax assistance to vulnerable taxpayers while offering practical learning experiences for students.
2019
Inspired by Curtin's success, the Australian Government initiated a broader vision in 2019, establishing the National Tax Clinic program trial. This trial supported 10 tax clinics at universities nationwide with 12 months of funding, allowing the model to be tested across different contexts. In December 2019, the government committed to expanding the initiative further by providing $1.3 million annually to support the program.
2021
Building on this momentum, the government conducted an open competitive grant process in 2021 to expand the program. As a result, the program saw a significant expansion in January 2022, growing from 10 to 15 participating tax clinics. This included a self-funded clinic at the Australian National University.
2023
The program received a major boost with new commitments announced by the government in the 2023 Federal Budget. From January 2025, an additional $500,000 per year was allocated to support 5 new clinics. In addition, a further $200,000 per year in discretionary funding was provided to help clinics undertake outreach to Indigenous and remote communities. Funding was also committed to the development of a dedicated program website.
In a collaborative effort, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) also secured funding in the 2023 Budget to support Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) workers. This included funding for tax clinics to assist PALM workers to access their departing Australia superannuation payments (DASP).
2024–25
Throughout 2024, several milestones were achieved. The ATO conducted another open competitive grant process, further expanding the program to include 5 new tax clinics from January 2025. Simultaneously, the ATO worked with tax clinics to design and build a central program website which launched in early 2025.
Collaborating with DFAT and the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR), the ATO also rolled out grant-funded outreach programs for PALM workers, with activities beginning in October 2024. By the end of 2025, these initiatives are expected to reach approximately 500 individual PALM workers.
Moreover, the ATO began consultation with the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) and tax clinics to structure a new grant process aimed at enhancing outreach to Indigenous and remote communities.
In January 2025, the program celebrated another major milestone: 5 new tax clinics officially joined the network, and the program’s website went live, serving as a central platform for clients, students, and partners. Ongoing outreach to PALM workers and new outreach programs targeting Indigenous communities will further extend the program's impact and visibility.