CQU Sydney student participants in the Tax Help Volunteer Program received Certificates of Completion from Campus Director Barbara Abou-Lehaf at a luncheon on Monday, October 31.

The Training Employment and Career Coaching Service (TECC) organised the luncheon to celebrate the success of the Tax Help Volunteer Program and to congratulate the student volunteers.

Special guests at the luncheon, Kim Hwang and Katrina Gore from CPA and Peter Randall from the Australian Tax Office (ATO) thanked the student volunteers. ATO representative Peter Randall said CQU Sydney International Campus students were the best in the program as they were very committed and assisted more students than those at any other university.

The Tax Help Volunteer Program was organised through a partnership between the TECC and ATO. Selected students worked in the program as volunteer employees for the ATO, processing tax returns free of charge.

The program ran for four months. During this period volunteers learnt valuable and marketable skills including teamwork, problem solving, coordination, taxation return lodgement, operation of a customer centre and accurate record keeping. The program also developed skills such as responsibility, reliability and communication.

TECC Manager Kate Hamilton said the program was very successful.

“We are now working with the students to convert their professional efforts into winning resumes,” she said.

“We want to demonstrate the students' transferable skills, knowledge and experience in an Australian workplace, as a volunteer for the ATO.".

Student participation has doubled since last year, when the program was originally developed. Kate believes students have recognised the valuable work experience the program provides.

Accounting student Monark Bhatt said he was immensely grateful for the help he received from TECC and the opportunity to work for the ATO as a Tax Help Volunteer.

“I could not have got my job with the Money Exchange without them,” he said.

The TECC team would like to commend all the volunteers for the hard work and dedication they have demonstrated in the program and wish them all the best in their future careers.

Photos: Participants in the Tax Help Volunteer completion ceremony at CQU Sydney International Campus.