ATL101 GST/BAS Taxation Principles Challenge Exam

The GST/BAS Taxation Principles Challenge Exam is formally approved as meeting the Tax Practitioner’s Board requirements for an approved course in basic GST/BAS taxation principles. It’s a fast-track approach for professionals seeking to formalise existing skills and knowledge in order to apply for registration as an agent with the TPB.

The GST/BAS Taxation Principles Challenge Exam is a theory and activity-based assessment providing candidates with an opportunity to demonstrate competence in Activity Statement and Payroll tasks in the following areas:

• Complete GST calculations and BAS statements for multiple entities
• Execute payroll tasks on calculations including gross wages, superannuation, and PAYG
• Complete theory questions on applying legislation relevant to the tasks a BAS Agent must be able to perform competently.

The course is available to those who:

1. Are professionals working in the financial services industry and seeking to formalise existing skills and knowledge
2. Have notified the Tax Practitioners Board (TPB) of their recognition of prior learning (RPL); however, have not been able to formally meet the requirement for 40% of assessment through a supervised examination
3. The Board require a course in basic GST/BAS taxation principles be completed
4. Those who wish to tackle a CHALLENGE for compliant CPE
5. Internal skills and knowledge assessment of potential workers.

Persons providing a business activity statement (BAS) service for a fee or other reward must be registered by the Tax Practitioners Board (TPB), and this unit is currently cited as meeting one of the TPB education requirements for registration. Other conditions apply, including a designated period of experience. Persons seeking agent registration should check current registration requirements with the TPB, as registration requirements are reviewed regularly.

Licensing/Regulatory Information
Work functions in the occupational areas where this unit applies are subject to regulatory requirements.

The Tax Practitioners Board (TPB) have approved this course in basic GST/BAS taxation principles and deems it acceptable for BAS Agent renewal or registration when the candidate has formally met the requirement for 40% of assessment through a supervised examination. 

Registered practitioners who complete the unit as a CPE activity do not need to comply with the supervisory conditions.

Successful candidates will receive a TPB recognised Statement of Achievement and, when completed under formal supervision, a Statement of Assurance.

The topics and learning outcomes below are examined and must be obvious in assessment outcomes to meet the conditions set by the Tax Practitioners Board.

Topics covered:

1. Collection and recovery of tax provisions in Part VII of the Fringe Benefits Tax Assessment Act 1986
2. The indirect tax law (which means the Goods and Services Tax (GST) law, the Wine Tax law, the Luxury Car Tax law and the Fuel Tax law, as defined in section 995-1 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (ITAA 1997))
3. Parts 2-5 and 2-10 of Schedule 1 to the Taxation Administration Act 1953 (TAA 1953) (the Pay As You Go system)
4. Relevant ATO and TPB requirements, including TPB registration requirements, the Code of Professional Conduct and the operation of the civil penalty provisions
5. Relevant privacy principles as contained in the Privacy Act 1988
6. GST terminology and appropriate application to financial transactions
7. Taxation requirements for business purposes and taxation parameters related to a range of business types
8. Relevant accounting terminology when maintaining accounting records for a variety of business types for taxation purposes
9. All sections of both Business Activity Statements (BAS) and Instalment Activity Statements (IAS) for multiple entity types, including lodging statements within the allocated timeframe
10. How to calculate and input data into payroll systems (payroll is included in the definition of a BAS provision), includes PAYG (withholding and instalments), FBT relating to collection and recovery and preparation of payment summaries
11. How to comply with organisational guidelines relating to security and confidentiality of information, (in order to be able to, or know how to, meet the Code of Professional Conduct obligations of confidentiality).

Applicants must demonstrate they meet the requirements listed below to be eligible for enrolment:

• Existing skills and knowledge gained from working in the financial services industry
• Be able to supply a Verification of Competence Report by a supervisor to confirm existing skills and knowledge if requested
• At least 18 years of age at the time of enrolment
• Access to a computer and internet connection
• Good language, literacy & numeracy skills.

A Certificate IV level program with the following learning outcomes:
Breadth, depth and complexity of knowledge and competencies would cover a broad range of varied activities or applications in a wider variety of contexts, most of which are complex and non-routine. Participants should display leadership and guidance when organising activities of self and others as well as contributing to technical solutions of a non-routine or contingency nature.

Performance of a broad range of skilled applications, including the requirement to evaluate and analyse current practices, develop new criteria and procedures for performing current practices and provision of some leadership and guidance to others in the application and planning of the skills. Applications involve responsibility for and limited organisation of others.

Competencies should enable participants with this qualification to:

• Demonstrate understanding of a broad knowledge base incorporating some theoretical concepts
• Apply solutions to a defined range of unpredictable problems
• Identify and apply skill and knowledge areas to a wide variety of contexts, with depth in some areas
• Identify, analyse and evaluate information from a variety of sources
• Take responsibility for own outputs in relation to specified quality standards
• Take limited responsibility for the quantity & quality of the output of others.

On successful completion of this course, the student will be awarded a TPB recognised Certificate of Achievement.

The program is ideal for those who are:

• Aiming for registration with the Tax Practitioners Board
• Have notified the Tax Practitioners Board (TPB) of their recognition of prior learning (RPL); however, have not been able to formally meet the requirement for 40% of assessment through a supervised exam*
• Required by the Board to complete a course in basic GST/BAS taxation principles*
• Professionals working in the financial services industry and seeking to formalise existing skills and knowledge
• Contract or employed bookkeepers or accountants requiring CPE
• Individuals who have chosen to improve their knowledge
• Looking for an internal skills and knowledge assessment of potential workers.

*The Tax Practitioners Board (TPB) have approved this course in basic GST/BAS taxation principles and deem it acceptable for BAS Agent renewal or registration when the candidate has formally met the requirement for 40% of assessment through a supervised exam.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is not available for this unit.

Online study offers complete flexibility affording students the ability to study anytime and anywhere that suits their schedule. The team of educators at My CPE are committed to supporting you through your chosen program and are keen to help you succeed. All students have unlimited online access to their allocated Assessor during business hours. There are no requirements to attend any classes during this program.

If throughout your program you need assistance on study-related matters or student support-related matters, you can contact our office via your e-Learning portal. Our dedicated team are available to assist with any questions you may have in relation to:

• How to enrol in a course
• Payment options
• Terms and conditions
• Course curriculum
• RPL process
• Assessment processes
• Extensions and applicable fees
• Administration queries.

The unit incorporates self-paced learning  activities and a final examination, which provides an opportunity for you to demonstrate competence in the 11 topics relevant to registered practitioners. Examinations are completed via our online student portal in accordance with the Examination Conditions below.

Assessment methods may include any combination of:

• Multiple choice questions
• Self-paced activities
• Case Studies
• Examination.

Examination Conditions:

• The examination must be undertaken under independent supervision to comply with the conditions set by the TPB where the unit is required for initial or renewal of registration
• Examination duration: Three hours
• Students are afforded two attempts only to pass the examination
• A pass mark of 85% or higher is required to successfully complete this unit and be awarded the Certificate.

What is involved?

1. Pre-Exam Study Activities – A series of Self-Paced Activities are provided as an optional learning opportunity to reinforce your skills and knowledge. Each activity is specifically designed to address any evident skills or knowledge gaps. These activities allow you to progress through the material at your own pace, taking as long as you need to master each activity
2. Schedule your examination for a time suitable to you and your nominated supervisor, if applicable
3. Complete the examination, which includes multiple-choice questions and calculation activities.

The Tax Practitioners Board (TPB) have approved this course in basic GST/BAS taxation principles and deems it acceptable for BAS Agent renewal or registration when the candidate has formally met the requirement for 40% of assessment through a supervised examination.

A Verification of Competence Report may be required by My CPE as part of this program. This report is supplementary evidence provided by a third party, such as your supervisor, to confirm your workplace skills and knowledge.

Your Certificate of Achievement must be accompanied by a Statement of Assurance to demonstrate that the BAS and Payroll Challenge Exam has been undertaken in accordance with the Tax Practitioners Board assessment requirements. The Board requires individuals to submit a Statement of Assurance with their application for registration as a BAS Agent.

Supervisory conditions are not applicable for practitioners who are completing the unit as CPE.

The Examination must be undertaken under independent supervision to comply with the conditions set by the Tax Practitioners Board where required for initial or renewal of a registration.

Supervisory conditions are not applicable to registered practitioners who are completing the unit as a CPE activity.