The Graduate Diploma in Tax (GDipTax) is a globally-recognised specialist tax law qualification. It’s ideal for lawyers, accountants and other professionals working as tax advisers in business or in government who are looking to take the next step in their careers.

The extensive and diverse tax subject selection is designed to give you an advanced understanding of tax law and policy across core and specialist tax areas.

As a student in the Graduate Diploma in Tax, you’ll learn through a focus on practical case studies that equip you with detailed tax law knowledge, its underlying principles and its practical application.

The Graduate Diploma in Tax is part of the world-renowned Melbourne Law Masters program.

Students must complete 50 credit points of study from the prescribed subject lists.

All international students are required to undertake Foundations of Tax Law. This subject provides a necessary grounding in Australian common law and statutory law of taxation, enabling a comparison with students’ home country tax systems. It provides the foundation for successful study in the other tax subjects studied in the course.

Subject timing and format

The Melbourne Law Masters program has been designed around the busy schedules of working professionals. Subjects are offered from February to December each year. Most subjects are taught intensively over five days with some subjects taught for two hours each week during the semester.

Subjects delivered online will have a combination of pre-recorded lecture content, live sessions and discussion boards among other resources. On campus subjects involve interactive seminar style classes in the Law Building in Melbourne.

Duration

Full time students enrol in 50 credit points per semester (or half year period) and have an expected course duration of six months. Part time* students enrol in 25 credit points per semester (or half year period) and have an expected course duration of one year. Semesters without enrolments require a student to apply for a leave of absence.

*Part time enrolment is for domestic students only. Part time students may reduce their study load to 12.5 credit points per half year period and thus have a maximum course duration of two years.

For detailed course and subject information, see the Handbook: Graduate Diploma in Tax.

The Graduate Diploma in Tax is ideal for lawyers, accountants and other professionals working as tax advisers who are looking to take the next step in their careers.

You’ll develop an advanced understanding of the complex body of knowledge in the field of taxation law, including:

• The theories and policies that underpin and influence the operation of taxation law
• The operation of institutions that develop, administer and determine the application of taxation law (Treasury, the ATO and the courts)
• Current developments in tax practice at the national and international level
• Influential international trends in taxation law such as those proposed by the OECD
• Current debates on proposed reform of taxation law

You’ll also develop skills in critical analysis and the ability to interpret and transmit your ideas to specialist and non-specialist audiences, including clients.

Plus, many students who complete four subjects towards the Graduate Diploma in Tax decide to take four more subjects to complete a Master of Tax.

Applicants must have completed: A degree in law (LLB, JD or equivalent) leading to admission to legal practice, with a University of Melbourne equivalent score of at least 70, or equivalent

IELTS (academic English Only): 6.5 (no band less than 6.0)
TOEFL Internet-based test: 79 + ; Writing 21; Speaking 18; Reading 13; Listening 13;
Pearson Test of English Academic: 58 + no communicative skill below 50
Cambridge English: Advanced/ Certificate of Advanced English (CAE): 176 + no skill below 169.