JCU: College of Business, Law and Governance

Getting ready to lodge your tax return can feel overwhelming, but it does not have to be! Join the JCU Tax Clinic for a practical, student-focused information session designed to help you confidently prepare your 2025–26 tax return.

We will walk you through how to lodge using MyGov, explain how to report different types of income (including ABN and casual work), and clarify key areas such as the Medicare levy and potential exemptions.

You must be a JCU: James Cook University, Australia Uni student, and register for this event as spots are limited! Register here:

JCU Tax Clinic Presents: Tax Time Made Simple for Uni Students - FREE EVENT Get your tax questions sorted and learn the easy way to complete your tax, all for free and made just for JCU uni students!

That's a wrap on our biggest event of the year: Open Day! This year our college had the privilege of attending Townsville, Cairns and Mackay Open Days where JCU: James Cook University, Australia welcomed thousands of students, families, teachers and community members onto our campuses to explore everything JCU has to offer.

From touring our world-class facilities and learning spaces to connecting with our academics, current students and professional staff, Open Day is all about helping future students take the next step towards their study and career goals. It was fantastic to see so many engaged conversations, curious minds and excited future university students.

We can't wait to see many of these familiar faces back on campus in the years ahead!

Our College is delighted to welcome Karyna Hansen as a Lecturer in our Law team.

A JCU: James Cook University, Australia alumna, Karyna completed both a Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences and a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) before embarking on a diverse professional journey spanning health sciences, taxation, legal practice and legal education.

Prior to joining JCU, Karyna practised with Townsville Community Law, working across a broad range of civil law matters including social security, human rights, consumer law and coronial proceedings. She also gained valuable taxation law experience during her time with the Australian Taxation Office.

Drawing on this breadth of experience, Karyna is passionate about delivering practice-informed legal education that connects legal theory with real-world application, equipping students with the knowledge, skills and confidence needed for contemporary legal practice.

Karyna serves as Vice President of the Townsville District Law Association and is committed to strengthening connections between legal education, the profession and the wider community.

Please join us in welcoming Karyna to the JCU community!

Our JCU Tax Clinic recently attended the National Tax Clinics Conference in Canberra where Professor Bill Shorten highlighted the importance Tax Clinics around Australia.

Professor Shorten said, "participating students develop highly sought after skills while gaining a deeper understanding of the human impact of the tax system. They learn to translate complex tax rules into accessible advice, develop communication and problem-solving skills, and gain exposure to the lived realities of taxpayers," he said. "And they exercise the much-priceless attribute of empathy."

Across Australia in 2025, National Tax Clinics assisted more than 6,700 vulnerable individuals and small businesses, completed almost 11,000 lodgements, supported more than 530 taxpayers managing tax debts, and helped 560 students gain practical, career-ready experience.

The JCU: James Cook University, Australia Tax Clinic provides free and confidential tax assistance to eligible individuals and small businesses, while giving students valuable practical experience under the supervision of qualified professionals.

‘Experience like that is gold’: UC Vice-Chancellor highlights the practical learning and community impact of Tax Clinics Assisting some of the nation’s most vulnerable, the recent National Tax Clinics Conference has shone a light on the crucial work that is done by the Tax Clinics across Australia for those in need.

Our Career Planning PD session this week was a valuable opportunity for our JCU Townsville Chamber of Commerce Mentor Program mentees to focus on what it really takes to transition from study to career.

A big thank you to Grant Rossiter and Rosie Cummins from JCU: Careers for delivering a highly practical and relevant session, where
Mentees gained valuable insights into:
- What graduate employers are really looking for;
- How to use LinkedIn more strategically for opportunity scoping and personal branding;
- How to develop a tailored, professional resume that aligns with specific roles.

What stood out was the focus on translating insight into action, the Mentees didn’t just hear the advice, they started applying it immediately, supported by their mentors and real job examples.

These sessions continue to play an important role in helping Mentees build confidence, develop clarity around their career pathways, and take practical steps toward their future.

We're looking forward to seeing how our Mentees continue to refine their career plans and position themselves for future opportunities. JCU: James Cook University, Australia

Townsville Open Day is this Sunday and we're counting down the days!

If you're thinking about university, this is your chance to explore our campuses, attend information sessions, meet our academics and current students, and get all your questions answered in one place! See you there 😁

The first professional development session of the JCU Cairns Mentor Program was an inspiring continuation of the excitement generated at the program launch.

A big thank you to Sally Mlikota, Managing Director of CBC Staff Selection, for delivering an engaging networking workshop that encouraged mentees and mentors to embrace mentoring and networking as valuable career skills in today’s increasingly digital world.

It was also a special opportunity for our law student mentees to meet Her Honour Judge Cope of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, one of the program’s mentors!

Another successful Townsville Legal Studies Conference in the books, with students from across the region coming together for a day of insightful discussion, career exploration and real-world perspectives on the legal profession.

A sincere thank you to our outstanding presenters, Bill Mitchell OAM and Kellie Mythen, for sharing their knowledge and insights with students.

Thank you to our panel members who led an engaging discussion on Right vs Legal: When the Law and Morality Collide, prompting thoughtful conversation and many insightful questions from students:
• Claire Grant KC, Criminal Law Barrister at 31 Sturt Chambers
• Andrew Walklate, Consultant Crown Prosecutor at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions
• Patrick Newman, Barrister at Legal Aid Queensland’s Public Defender Chambers
• Salomé Pretorius, South African Crown Prosecutor and JCU lecturer

Thank you to our career pathways panel members, who shared their personal journeys and insights into the diverse opportunities a law degree can provide:
• Merissa Martinez, Barrister at Paloma Chambers
• Helen Armitage, Senior Principal Lawyer at Legal Aid
• Major Nathan Smith, Prosecutor Queensland Police Service and Legal Officer at the Australian Army
• Matthew Bonato, Branch Organiser at the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU)

Your time, expertise and willingness to engage with students made the day incredibly valuable and inspiring.

Bring on the 2027 Legal Studies Conference planning!👏