MLS Tax Clinic (LAWS90164)

The MLS Tax Clinic provides students with a unique, practical experience and is the first-of-its-kind at Melbourne Law School. Operating on-site as a Community Legal Centre, the MLS Tax Clinic provides students with the opportunity to undertake consultations with real clients and provide advice and representation work to, and on behalf of, eligible members of the community.

Students will be engaged in all practical and administrative aspects of the Clinic’s operation and will work under the guidance and supervision of the Clinic Supervisor and members of the tax and legal professions to advise on and resolve issues presented by clients of the Clinic.

The MLS Tax Clinic is a ‘live’ client facing clinic which provides students with the opportunity to put their existing tax law knowledge into practice. This subject will enhance students’ understanding of taxation law and practice and will also develop fundamental legal skills of general application such as client interviewing, file and practice management, research writing and advocacy.

The work undertaken by the MLS Tax Clinic is varied and may include:

• Advising on tax residency, capital gains tax, deductions, income, PSI and PSB;
• Assisting with tax lodgments and amendments;
• Managing debt matters and assisting with hardship applications
• Advocating on behalf of clients with external stakeholders
• Negotiating with the ATO
• Other representation work as and when required.

A typical day will see students registered into a morning, non-client facing session and an afternoon, client-facing session. In the morning sessions, students will undertake research, prepare advices, draft emails and undertake other administrative tasks. Throughout the semester, the Clinic Supervisor will prepare and deliver technical and practical seminars as and when requested.

In the afternoon sessions, students will work in small groups to conduct client consultations under the close supervision of experienced practitioners who support the clinic on a pro-bono basis.

The Clinic will see clients from Weeks 3 – 12 (excluding the non-teaching period).

In Semester 1, the Clinic will operate on one day per week.

In Semester 2, the Clinic will operate over two to three days. Students will be required to attend one regular non-client facing session (1.5 hours) and one regular client facing session (4 hours) each week (one full day in total).

It is a requirement for students to register into their non-client facing session and their client facing session on the same day.

During their clinic work time, students will also take part in debrief sessions with the Clinic Supervisor, where students will discuss their matter, evaluate their progress and discuss their perceptions of the law in practice and their own role.

 

Orientation

The orientation program is an integral part of the student learning experience and is mandatory for all students. The orientation will either take place in the week before the start of semester, or, during the first two weeks of the semester.

During orientation, students will participate in a number of seminars of relevance to the MLS Tax Clinic, which may include:

• Fundamental legal skills on tax administration and process,
• client interviewing techniques,
• file preparation and management,
• collecting, managing and storing sensitive information,
• interacting with and establishing rapport with clients; and
• navigating ATO systems and databases.

 

Community Outreach

In 2025, it is anticipated that the MLS Tax Clinic will participate in the Pacific Labour Mobility (PALM) outreach program. The MLS Tax Clinic will be assigned a location to attend approximately 1 – 2 hours away and provide education and training to PALM workers. Transport, meals and necessary technology will be provided for all participants.

In addition, the MLS Tax Clinic is looking to deliver educational seminars to a number of correctional facilities in and around Melbourne. It is anticipated that these seminars will take place virtually.

 

Important information about enrolling

This subject is not available for self-enrolment but is an application-based enrichment subject, which means prospective students must apply to enrol. Many of these application-based enrichment subjects also involve a selection process.

More information about the application process can be found on the Application-based enrichment subjects information page inside the Juris Doctor LMS Community [Juris Doctor student access only].