How to become a tax agent in 2020

Becoming a Tax Agent in Australia is a relatively straight forward process in order to meet the requirements of the Tax Practitioners Board Tax Agent specifications.

Applied Education’s 3 steps to becoming a Tax Agent in Australia

Applied Education has hundreds of students each year asking us this question and here are our tips for getting your qualification and becoming a tax agent in Australia.

Education Requirements for Tax Agents

The minimum education requirements to become a Tax Agent are

 Step 1 – Accounting Qualification – Diploma of Accounting or higher

Step 2 – Tax Practitioner Board Approved Course in Australian Tax Law and Commercial Law

• Tax Practitioner Board Approved Course in Australian Taxation Law
• Tax Practitioner Board Approved Course in Commercial Law

If you already have an Accounting qualification such as a Bachelor of Accounting or an overseas Accounting qualification such as a Bachelor of Commerce, we suggest you give the Tax Practitioners Board a call to discuss your qualification and experience before enroling in our course. That way you can find out exactly which additional units you need to study.

• The TPB allow what is known as a mix and match approach to gaining the required qualifications.
• Often students with an Accounting degree get exemptions from some units.
• The TPB then advise exactly which additional units you need to study.
• At Applied Education, we are happy to enrol students in single or multiple units as required to meet TPB education requirements.

Step 3 – Relevant Experience

The Tax Practitioners Board requires evidence of relevant experience in providing tax agent services

For Example relevant experience could be:

• Working as registered tax agent
• Working under the supervision and control of a registered tax agent
• Undertaking tax work as a legal practitioner

The relevant experience needed will vary depending on your qualification. It can vary from twelve month up to two years.

So in summary in order to become a Tax Agent in Australia you need the following three requirements.

1. A minimum qualification in Accounting – Diploma or higher
2. A TPB board approved course in Tax Law and Commercial Law
3. Practical experience in tax – 12 to 24 months

For more information about how to become a Tax Agent please call one of our experienced Accounting & Taxation course coordinators or email [email protected]