Why study with us?
With more than 150 years of experience, the University of Sydney Law School is one of the world’s leading law schools, ranked 13th in the world in the 2020 QS World University Rankings by Subject.
Our staff are acclaimed legal educators, world-renowned researchers and venerated practitioners.
In response to COVID-19, the University of Sydney has reviewed the availability of courses to be delivered remotely for students commencing their studies in Semester 1, 2021.
This course will be available to study remotely for students commencing in Semester 1, 2021. Please note that some units of study that are not essential to completing the degree may not be available to be studied remotely.
Note: The University intends to offer as many units of study as possible in a remote as well as face-to-face learning method of delivery in Semester 1, 2021 and subject to ongoing border closures and public health orders impacting attendance on campus, in Semester 2, 2021. However, some units of study and courses require students to study in-person at the relevant University of Sydney campus/es and host locations for placements and will not be available remotely.
About this course
The Master of Taxation (MTax) is a specialist qualification in Australian tax law, drawing upon the Sydney Law School's Taxation program, one of the world's most respected and established.
Our Tax Program is taught by academics and practitioners who are internationally recognised leaders in their fields, supported by renowned international visitors.
Our participants come from diverse backgrounds in Australia and overseas; they are recent graduates and established practitioners; and they come from professional firms and industry, the private sector and government.
We offer a comprehensive range of study options, with sophisticated coursework electives, opportunities for guided research projects and special programs tailored for domestic and international participants.
If you have had limited exposure to the detail of Australian tax law so far in your studies or career, we recommend you start your study with our unit of study Introduction to Australian Tax.
Units are taught either throughout the semester or over shorter periods in intensive format.
For academic requirements check the ‘Admission requirements’ section on this page.
You can apply online via the application portal. When you are ready to apply, select the ‘Apply’ button on this course page. Visit the How to apply page for other important information.
As many units of study are taught intensively, admission and enrolment in individual units may be possible year round.
Standard closing dates:
Semester 1 - 11 February of the commencing year
Semester 2 - 15 July of the commencing year
We strongly encourage applicants to apply as early as possible, offers are made on a rolling basis and places are limited. Separate scholarship deadlines apply - check the scholarships website for details.
Semester 1 (March) and Semester 2 (August)
You can apply online via the application portal. When you are ready to apply, select the ‘Apply’ button on this course page. Visit the How to apply page for other important information.
Standard closing dates:
Semester 1 - 31 January of the commencing year
Semester 2 - 30 June of the commencing year
We strongly encourage international applicants to apply as early as possible to allow time for visa and travel arrangements. Separate scholarship deadlines may apply - check the scholarships website for details.
Semester 1 (March) and Semester 2 (August)
Master of Taxation candidates will complete 48 credit points, which is equivalent to 8 units of study. Students can select units of study from a wide range of relevant electives on offer.
Refer to the University of Sydney Law School Handbook for further details regarding the award requirements.
Download our Planning your tax study brochure (pdf, 7.2MB)
Visit the Sydney Law School website for the most up-to-date postgraduate unit of study timetable.
View unit of study descriptions using the link below.
Under normal progression, a student shall undertake and successfully complete all units of study to the value of 24 credit points per semester as prescribed for the course. Students are required to attend all lectures, tutorials and other activities prescribed for their units of study.
Available places will be offered to qualified applicants based on merit, according to the following admissions criteria. Admission to candidature for the Master of Taxation requires: a) a bachelor's degree with a minimum credit average from the University of Sydney, or an equivalent qualification; or b) a bachelor's degree from the University of Sydney, or an equivalent qualification; and the applicant provides evidence of two years of relevant professional experience.
It is assumed that students undertaking specified tax units have an understanding of Australian income taxation law commensurate with that which would be obtained from completing undergraduate study in Australian taxation law or five years working with Australian taxation law in a law or accounting practice, in an industry role or in the Australian Taxation Office. For students who do not have such knowledge or work experience, they first should undertake LAWS6825 Introduction to Australian Business Tax before enrolling in this unit.
As part of Professional Plus+, Sydney Law School offers Professional Development seminars, courses and units of study in a range of subjects and modes, including intensive programs, seminar series and individual evening presentations. Seminars, courses and postgraduate units of study are available to anyone with an interest in the area of study.
Continuing Legal Education is a requirement of the Law Society of New South Wales. Practising solicitors are required to obtain 10 units of MCLE annually in order to maintain registration as a legal practitioner. Continuing Professional Development is also a requirement of the New South Wales Bar Association. Barristers are required to accrue 10 points each practising certificate year. Seminars, courses and units of study offered under Sydney Law School's LPD Program meet the necessary requirements of both the Law Society of New South Wales and the New South Wales Bar Association in relation to their individual members. Sydney Law School's taxation units also meets the training and development requirements of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia (ICCA).
The Master of Taxation (MTax) is designed to meet the needs of those in the Australian tax profession, whether as lawyers, accountants, public administrators or academics, who wish to build on their experience and attain a high level of specialist tax expertise.
Participants in our Professional Plus+ program are able to audit postgraduate units of study, attending lectures and receiving copies of lecture notes. SUE students do not undertake assignments or examinations. Courses are offered by one of two methods, either attendance one night per week for 13 weeks, or by intensive mode. Courses offered as intensive units are normally conducted over four or five days. Courses are worth 24 MCLE/CPD points unless advertised otherwise. Individual units of study within the program may be undertaken by suitably qualified candidates who do not wish to commit to the study of an award course. Non-award candidates are students of the University; on satisfactory completion of unit of study requirements, candidates receive an academic transcript showing the details of the unit or units of study undertaken, with results and grades. Subject to approval, completed non-award study may be credited to an award course. You may undertake units in postgraduate programs in other faculties at the University of Sydney or at other universities subject to approval by the Associate Dean (Postgraduate Coursework) on a cross-institutional basis. A formal application, detailing the academic content, attendance and assessment requirements of the unit(s) proposed to be completed should be made to the Law School first before applying to the other faculty or institution. If you are from another institution, you can also apply to study units at Sydney Law School upon approval from your home institution and the Law School.
