Schools & Educational Institutions
Schools, Colleges & Universities
Our lawyers have had decades of experience in working with and professionally advising the Boards and leaders of Schools and Educational Institutions.
Endorsement as Tax Concession Charities
Educational Institutions may be for profit or not for profit.
To be exempt from tax, non profit educational institutions in Australia need to be endorsed as Charitable Institutions by the ATO. This endorsement needs to be reviewed annually by the educational institution to ensure that the institution is still entitled to that endorsement.
Additional endorsements (registrations) are also usually required under State based Stamp Duty and Land Tax legislation.
Common legal issues for educational institutions
In addition to the not for profit tax endorsement issues the education sector faces a series of legal issues which require not just good legal advice but legal advice that thoroughly understands the educational context. Our lawyers understand and regularly advise educational bodies on:
- Accreditation and Registration issues
- Enrolment contracts and processes
- Discrimination
- Discipline
- Staffing / Employment (including collective agreements)
- Governance
- Legal Structures
- Constitutions
- Property
- Trusts
- Leasing / Licensing / Hire arrangements
- Risk Management
- Sensitive Information and Reporting obligations
- Complaint handling
- Family law issues
- ATO reviews and audits
