Overview

The Graduate Diploma in Advanced Taxation, while broadly similar in its objectives and course content to the Master of Taxation, is less onerous in its entry requirements and does not require sustained writing in some courses for completion. It concentrates on advanced specialist professional training in taxation. The Graduate Diploma in Advanced Taxation is based on six courses and can be studied over one full-time year with three courses per semester or 1.5 part-time years with two courses per semester.

While the Graduate Diploma in Advanced Taxation offers many of the same courses as the Master of Taxation, it does not involve the requirement, (part of the Master of Taxation regulations), that assessment in at least four of those courses is based on a project entailing sustained application of analytical skills. Taking this and the lesser number of courses into account, the Graduate Diploma in Advanced Taxation has a different emphasis and involves somewhere in excess of half the work-load of the Master of Taxation.

Courses for the Graduate Diploma in Advanced Taxation, though similar in content to Master of Taxation courses, are separately designated ATAX03** and are assessed in a different way. Typically, Master of Taxation courses require a substantial written paper involving sustained analysis and an examination, while Graduate Diploma in Advanced Taxation courses involve two written assignments and an examination.

Please contact Atax, Faculty of Law for information.

The Graduate Diploma in Advanced Taxation consists of 6 elective courses from the ATAX03** range of courses.

Selection of Courses

Complete six of the following elective courses:

Articulation of Studies from the Graduate Diploma in Advanced Taxation to the Master of Taxation

1. Students who have commenced but not completed the Graduate Diploma in Advanced Taxation and wish to convert to the Master of Taxation, are required to:
(a) complete a minimum of two courses in Graduate Diploma in Advanced Taxation mode;

(b) have achieved an acceptable academic standard as determined by the Board of Studies; this will normally be a mark of at least 65% (Credit) on average in the courses completed but this may vary to suit individual circumstances.

(c) complete the balance of eight courses (less those for which Advanced Standing has already been granted), including a minimum of four courses within the ATAX04** series of courses, which must include ATAX0401 Tax Policy if it has not already been completed in ATAX0301 Tax Policy.

Students must not select courses for the Master of Taxation that they have already completed as Graduate Diploma in Advanced Taxation courses or as courses in another Atax program.

2. A student wishing to apply to articulate from the Graduate Diploma in Advanced Taxation to the Master of Taxation must submit a written application to Atax by the start of the semester in which they would like the transfer to be effective. An 'Articulation of Studies in Atax Program' form must be used.

3. Students who have completed and been awarded the Graduate Diploma in Advanced Taxation must apply for admission to the Master of Taxation and will be eligible for exemption for up to two courses, each worth six units of credit. Students must not select courses for the Master of Taxation that have already been completed and credited to the Graduate Diploma in Advanced Taxation. Information and application forms for admission to the Master of Taxation are available at www.atax.unsw.edu.au.

Assessment Policy

In order to pass a course, candidates for the Graduate Diploma in Advanced Taxation must obtain:

Exemption Policy

Admission with Advanced Standing:

Students accepted for enrolment into the Master of Taxation or the Graduate Diploma in Advanced Taxation, may apply for advanced standing by applying to the Atax Student Services Office. The policy is located at www.atax.unsw.edu.au/study/pgradexemptions.htm Click on the relevant program to locate the appropriate policy statement.

For information regarding fees for UNSW programs, please refer to the following website:  https://my.unsw.edu.au/student/fees/FeesMainPage.html

Direct entry to the Graduate Diploma in Advanced Taxation is normally open to graduates in taxation, law, business, economics or commerce of equivalent standing and content to corresponding UNSW qualifications.

Candidates for the Graduate Diploma in Advanced Taxation with Commerce, Business, Economics or Law qualifications which are not at the required level, standard or content, shall complete postgraduate qualifying courses as the Board of Studies in Taxation determines. The program code for the Postgraduate Qualifying program is 6894. The Board of Studies in Taxation shall determine whether candidates with lower level academic qualifications and/or professional experience in taxation may be admitted directly or with such prerequisites as the Board determines.

Formal entry requirements to the Graduate Diploma in Advanced Taxation are similar to those of the Master of Taxation, though not at the same standard. All candidates for the Graduate Diploma in Advanced Taxation must have completed a university level program in the basic elements of income taxation or equivalent.

The Master of Taxation and the Graduate Diploma in Advanced Taxation have been approved by CPA Australia for specialist taxation accreditation.

Students who are members of CPA Australia, The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia (ICAA), and qualified lawyers may have both Award and Non-Award study with Atax recognised towards their Continuing Professional Development (CPD), Continuing Professional Education (CPE) and Continuing Legal Education (CLE) membership requirements respectively.

Delivery modes for Graduate Diploma in Advanced Taxation

Courses in the Graduate Diploma in Advanced Taxation program can be studied via flexible distance study, in face to face classes or intensive short course classes. Assessment remains the same for all modes of delivery. You will be able to choose the delivery mode that suits you best. All Atax students will receive a set of Study Materials for each course you are enrolled in and access to Web Course Tools (WebCT). WebCT is a web-based site to complement Atax's teaching resources - your Study Materials, past examination papers, feedback, discussion forums and online links are available from this site.

Flexible Distance Study mode
This mode of study utilises a combination of Audio Conferences, Regional Classes and WebCT, allowing you to study from anywhere in Australia or overseas. For each course there are usually five Audio Conferences per session and students are encouraged to attend. These Audio Conferences are held at Atax's Learning Centres located in metropolitan and regional centres throughout Australia. There is also a one-day Regional Class for most courses and these are usually held in metropolitan centres during Weeks 9 or 10 of the session.

Face to face weekly mode
Several courses have classes in the face to face mode of delivery at AGSM premises, 1 O'Connell Street, Sydney, NSW and one course has classes in Matthews Building on Kensington Campus. These classes are usually held Monday to Thursday, from 6:00 - 8:00pm. Class sizes are limited to a maximum of 40 students, so students can be assured of a quality educational experience. For more information about the courses offered in this mode and location, visit http://www.atax.unsw.edu.au/students/facetoface.htm.

Intensive Short Course mode
Some Atax courses can also be studied face to face via Intensive Short Course mode. Intensive Short Course classes enable students to complete the required coursework for the course in five days. These classes are held at the Atax Coogee campus in Sydney. Classes will normally run from 9.30 - 5.00 pm. For information on courses offered and dates, visit http://www.atax.unsw.edu.au/students/facetoface.htm.