The Australian Taxation Office, CQU Sydney International Campus, the campus TECC (Training, Employment and Career Coaching) department and the trained student volunteers have created one of the nation’s largest tax help centres.

Now in its third year, the Tax Help Centre at CQU Sydney International Campus is growing in student volunteers and satisfied customers.

The student volunteers have now assisted in excess of 800 students that required help with their annual tax returns.

After advertising for volunteers in May, the TECC department received over 100 student applications from interested volunteers willing to be trained and to assist others with free tax advice on campus.

Volunteers were selected and successful candidates participated in a 2-day training course with the Australian Taxation Office.

Suzana Vicentijevic, the CQU Sydney TECC Manager and Coordinator of the Tax Help Centre said: “Business students are jumping at the chance of volunteering as it helps them to develop their understanding of the Australian taxation system and gain relevant career experience with a reputable Australian Government department”.

CQU Sydney students displaying real initiative take responsibility for the day to day operations of the centre.

They appoint a leader and a second-in-charge to operate like a small business. This allows them to acquire skills in running a small business.

At the completion of another financial year, the Tax Help Centre student volunteers receive certificates of appreciation from the ATO at a special function held by the Sydney Campus Directors.

Peter Randall, Tax Help Client Service Manager for the ATO, will be present at the next function to be held for 2006.