Tax Clinic
The University of Newcastle Tax Clinic is here to help eligible people with their tax issues for free. We are part of the Australian Government’s National Tax Clinic Program. This program offers free tax advice to Australians facing severe financial hardship, living in vulnerable circumstances and cannot access a tax expert.
We offer high-quality and reliable tax advice and services to people and small businesses in the Hunter, Central Coast and regional NSW that are in the most need.
Our clinic also gives students great opportunities to learn about tax in a real-world setting. We also teach people in the community about tax, helping everyone understand it better.
Services
Since 2022, we have helped people facing financial hardship or difficult situations. This can include people who are homeless, dealing with abuse, or living with illness or disability.
We work with other community groups including financial counsellors and legal clinics. We also team up with professional accounting firms who donate their time to help the community. This helps us support clients who might not get tax help otherwise.
We are a teaching clinic, which gives students valuable experience in working in a tax practice and supporting the community.
We offer:
- Free advice and help with your tax issues. This includes helping with past income tax returns and Business Activity Statements (BAS).
- Assistance with getting interest or penalties reduced where possible. We also assist with your rights to ask for a review or appeal, and with identity theft related to tax, and we can guide you in talking with the ATO.
- Educational activities to teach students, taxpayers, and the community about important tax topics.
- Advocacy when tax issues arise in your interactions with other regulatory or government agencies.
We do not offer help with tax matters relating to companies, trusts, or self-managed superannuation funds. We also do not provide financial planning advice.
The University of Newcastle Tax Clinic is for people who:
- are a low-income earner experiencing financial hardship
- are the victim of domestic or financial abuse
- are homeless or live in a remote location with no access to professional tax support
- can’t access professional tax support due to cultural or language barriers
- affected by health issues including illness, disability or mental health challenges.
To book for help, you can apply online, email or give us a call.
If you choose to email us, please include your full name, phone number, postcode and any details about your situation. A student from our team will then contact you to see if you can use our free service.
If you are eligible for assistance, we will contact you to set up a meeting. This can be in-person at the clinic or online using Zoom. We will look at what work is needed, if we can help and how long it might take.
Email: taxclinic@newcastle.edu.au
Phone: 02 4921 5030
Hours
We are open Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm, during university semesters.
Location
Level 2, NUspace, The University of Newcastle, Hunter St & Auckland St, Newcastle NSW 2300
This service is free of charge.
We have a limited outreach program to support community groups. We are currently assisting the Pacific Australian Labour Mobility scheme and its workers. This includes helping them to understand their superannuation (retirement savings) and how to claim it. If your organisation would like to make a request for this service, please email us.
Tax professionals who volunteer are a very important part of our tax clinic team. If you or your firm are in the Hunter region or regional NSW and want to give free support to the tax clinic, please contact us.
We provide a great opportunity to help you become career ready. If you’re a student studying business, finance or law and have finished a tax course, you can join our industry placement course (BUSN3002).
Being part of the tax clinic is a great way to get real, hands-on experience. You’ll help clients with their tax issues in a safe and supportive place. This also helps you improve your communication and problem-solving skills.
To apply, current students can log onto CareerHub and search for BUSN3002 listings, or email taxclinic@newcastle.edu.au for more information.
Email: taxclinic@newcastle.edu.au
Phone: 02 4921 5030
Even if you aren’t eligible for assistance from the tax clinic, there are other resources available for financial support, including:
- National Debt Helpline: Call 1800 007 007
- Mob Strong Debt Help: Call 1800 808 488
- ASIC's Moneysmart website
- Australian Financial Complaints Authority
- Find a financial counsellor through the National Debt Helpline
- Lifeline: Call 13 11 14
- Beyond Blue: Call 1300 224 636
Acknowledgements
The University of Newcastle Tax Clinic is part of the National Tax Clinic Program – an Australian Government initiative.
We also acknowledge the generous support from the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Newcastle Business School for their ongoing support.
Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.