Tax of Superannuation B (LAWS90264)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 6.25Not available in 2025

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Overview

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This compact, flexible dual delivery intensive subject is delivered by experts in the field. It is relevant for all superannuation funds, especially self managed superannuation funds (SMSFs), of which there are more than 600,000 in Australia. The subject examines the policies and technical rules for the regulation and taxation of SMSFs, with a focus on current practical problems for these funds that provide for the retirement of the majority of Australian small and medium business owners and people who seek to manage their own superannuation savings.

The subject will address a range of key taxation issues for SMSFs, including non-arm’s length income, and will examine retirement and succession planning for small and medium businesses and individuals regarding superannuation.

Principal topics:

  • Introduction and overview of SMSFs, and core tax rules
  • Topical tax issues in superannuation for SMSFs
  • Retirement and succession planning for small and medium business owners regarding superannuation.

The subject is suitable for legal, accounting and financial advisers, and government officials, who are dealing with SMSFs in their professional practice. Taxation of Superannuation B follows from Taxation of Superannuation A, which covers core taxation, regulation and investment rules for superannuation, but may be taken by professionals with suitable professional experience who have not completed Taxation of Superannuation A.

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this subject, students should be able to:

  • Have an advanced and integrated understanding of the policies, technical rules and current practical problems involved in the taxation of self managed superannuation funds (SMSFs)
  • Be able to identify and strategically plan to support small and medium business owners and individuals for retirement and succession involving superannuation
  • Be able to identify the problems an SMSF might face in respect of taxation and investments, research and evaluate different solutions and come to a reasoned conclusion as to which solution might best address the problem
  • Have the cognitive and technical skills to generate critical and creative ideas relating to the taxation of retirement incomes and SMSFs
  • Be able to critically examine, analyse, interpret and assess the effectiveness of the rules for taxation of SMSFs
  • Be an engaged participant in debate regarding emerging and contemporary policy and legal issues in the field.

Generic skills

  • Have the cognitive and technical skills to independently examine, research and analyse existing and emerging tax issues
  • Have the oral and written communication skills to clearly articulate and convey complex information regarding the taxation of superannuation regime in Australia to relevant specialist and non-specialist audiences
  • Be able to demonstrate autonomy, expert judgment and responsibility as a practitioner and learner in the field of taxation of superannuation in Australia.

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

None

Recommended background knowledge

Knowledge of taxation and superannuation would be of assistance.

Applicants without legal qualifications should note that subjects are taught at an advanced graduate level and requires a thorough background in common law. While efforts are made to meet the needs of students trained in other fields, teaching and assessment activities are designed to give an advanced and integrated understanding of the discipline of law for legal practitioners, learners and researchers. 

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.

Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Assessment

DescriptionTimingPercentage

Class participation

Throughout the teaching period10%

Take-home examination

  • 2500-3000 words
20 - 23 October 202390%
Hurdle requirement: A minimum of 75% attendance.Throughout the teaching periodN/A

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Quotas apply to this subject

Dates & times

Not available in 2025

What do these dates mean

Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:

  • Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
  • And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
       -  Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
     

    Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.

Additional delivery details

This subject has a quota of 30 students.

Please refer to the Melbourne Law Masters enrolment webpage for further information about re-enrolment, subject quotas and waitlists. 
Melbourne Law School may reserve places in a subject for incoming international cohorts or where a subject is core to a specialisation with limited alternate options. 

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Further information

Last updated: 4 March 2025