Appreciated for its ‘deep intellectual knowledge‘, the tax practice at Allens is frequently instructed on large cross-border M&A transactions and significant tax litigation before the Federal and High Courts of Australia. In particular, the practice has expertise in disputes between taxpayers and the ATO on transfer pricing and avoidance. Martin Fry leads the team from Melbourne and is a key advisor to clients within the mining and oil and gas sectors. Also in Melbourne, Toby Knight is active in representing clients in tax disputes with the ATO. In Sydney, Craig Milner handles transactions and projects for clients in the funds, real estate, finance and energy sectors; Joseph Power is a stamp duty expert; Ellen Thomas is well versed in advising on the tax aspects of M&A, finance transactions and audits; and Jay Prasad is also a notable member of the team.

Praised by clients for its ‘exceptionally sharp, well-rounded team, which provides full advisory services‘, the tax practice at Ashurst is a popular choice among corporate multinationals seeking advice on a range of matters. The team has particular strength advising on the tax aspects of projects and M&A. Costa Koutsis leads the team and ‘provides an exceptional and pragmatic service‘, with notable expertise in indirect tax. Vivian Chang is skilled in corporate and financial services transactions, while Sanjay Wavde provides the team with M&A, international tax and funds management expertise. Steve Whittington has real estate, infrastructure and funds expertise, and Melbourne-based partner Ian Kellock is a key name for transactional work. Bronwyn Kirkwood is also a key member of the Melbourne office. Geoff Mann departed in January 2023. All lawyers mentioned are based in Sydney unless stated otherwise.

King & Wood Mallesons is highlighted for its ‘strong commercial focus' and 'great delivery’. The practice is instructed by clients on a range of matters, including indirect tax issues, large cross-border M&A transactions and tax disputes. The team has particular expertise in the financial services, energy and real estate sectors. Leading from Melbourne, managing partner and practice head Darren McClafferty specialises in income tax, international tax and employment taxes. The Melbourne team is also supported by Michael Perez, who has expertise in the energy, banking and gaming sectors, and Michael Clough, who is well versed in income tax matters related to capital markets and M&A transactions. In Sydney, Richard Snowden focuses his practice on the financial services, funds management and property sectors. Also in Sydney, Jerome Tse is a key contact for tax disputes and litigation strategy; Justin Rosseto is a go-to advisor for income tax; Greg Protektor specialises in M&A, transactional work and property-based deals; and Judith Taylor is a name to note for income tax matters.

The tax practice at Minter Ellison fields ‘professional experts' and is a popular choice among multinational corporations seeking advice on a range of cross-border tax matters. The team has particular expertise in the infrastructure, government, real estate, health, educational, energy and financial services sectors. At practice head level, Adrian Varrasso leads from Melbourne and is well regarded for his corporate tax expertise. Also leading from Melbourne is tax controversy expert Carmen McElwain, and in Sydney, Rhys Guild is the lead on indirect tax. The team in Sydney also features land tax expert Nathan Deveson and Rimma Miller, who is well versed in tax litigation at both the state and federal level. Corporate tax expert Elissa Romanin is based in Melbourne. Special counsel Craig Bowie in Brisbane is a key contact for clients in the infrastructure, energy and financial services sectors.

The tax group at Arnold Bloch Leibler is ‘highly capable' and 'extremely component'. The practice is a popular choice among high-net-worth individuals, family groups, large corporates and not-for-profit organisations. The team is regularly instructed on a range of matters, including advice on tax audits and disputes, M&A transactions and large-scale corporate restructurings. At practice head level, Mark Leibler leads from Melbourne and draws on more than 40 years of experience; Paul Sokolowski, also leading from Melbourne, is an expert in federal tax matters; and well-regarded corporate and international tax expert Clint Harding leads from Sydney. Jonathan Ortner is a key contact for the taxation of trusts in Sydney, and Shaun Cartoon is a key contact for employee share schemes in Melbourne.

Specialists in the technology, health tech and digital economy industries, Baker McKenzie is a popular choice for large domestic and multinational companies seeking tax advice. The team is particularly well regarded for its expertise in tax disputes and the defence of large-scale tax audits. Amrit MacIntyre focuses his practice on stamp duty, GST and other indirect taxes, while Simone Bridges is a key name for tax controversy matters. Miles Hurst is well versed in income tax, specifically in the renewable energy, property and healthcare industries. Special counsel Janet Cho is also a key member of the department. John Walker left the firm in October 2024.

Clayton Utz possesses ‘an excellent indirect tax practice with depth of knowledge and experience’. The team’s multi-sector focus gives it a broad range of expertise, covering the property, financial services, technology, retail and healthcare industries. The team takes a collaborative approach to its matters, regularly working alongside the firm's corporate, real estate, restructuring, banking and construction teams. Sydney-based practice head Andrew Sommer has ‘great industry knowledge’ and expertise in GST-related matters. The Sydney office is also supported by Peter Feros, whose expertise lies in M&A transactions and fund structuring, and Jonathan Donald, who is a key contact for corporate tax matters. In the Melbourne office, Angela Wood is a name to note for tax controversy advice, and in Brisbane, Brendon Lamers is a go-to advisor for local and foreign funds and developers seeking deal tax advisory. Keshni Maharaj is another key practitioner.

The tax practice at Corrs Chambers Westgarth is regularly instructed on transactional work, including inbound and outbound cross-border investment, M&A projects and private equity investment. The practice has expertise in a range of sectors, including energy and natural resources, banking and finance, real estate and technology. Melbourne-based partner Rhys Jewell is experienced in global M&A transactions, specifically inbound investment into Australia by private equity firms and funds. Also based in Melbourne, the team is supported by indirect tax expert Jennee Chan. Based in Sydney, Mark Payne is a key name for premium domestic and inbound investments, and Simon Mifsud is well versed in employee incentive options. Michael Carroll is also a key member of the Sydney practice.

The tax practice at Johnson Winter Slattery is commended for its ‘technical knowledge, responsiveness and quality of work'. The team has particular expertise in the energy and natural resources, infrastructure, technology and life sciences sectors. The firm’s impressive roster of clients features domestic and multinational groups, investment funds and high-net-worth individuals. The team is frequently instructed to advise on cross-border M&A deals. Melbourne-based practice head Stewart Grieve specialises in tax audits and disputes. Supporting the team is tax disputes expert Annemarie Wilmore in Sydney, alongside Prashanth Kainthaje, who is well versed in international tax and private equity. Also operating from the Sydney office, Andy Milidoni is a key name for advice on the taxation of trusts, and Richard Gelski focuses his practice on corporate structuring, cross-border investment and M&A. Melbourne-based partner Kathryn Bertram is a key contact for state taxes. Special counsel Don Spirason joined the team in June 2023.

The team at White & Case is appreciated for its ‘deep technical expertise in the infrastructure space married together with deep technical expertise in Australian income tax law‘. The practice is regularly seen advising its clients on large-scale complex transactions, as well as on tax disputes before the Federal and High Courts of Australia. Tax dispute expert and practice head Aldrin De Zilva is praised for his ‘outstanding technical and commercial perspectives’ while Tim Neilson is well versed in assisting with acquisitions and Cameron Rider is a seasoned tax litigator.

The ‘high-quality associates and partners‘ at Gilbert + Tobin regularly advise on large-scale corporate transactions, including M&A, schemes of arrangement and fund establishment. With significant expertise in the private equity market, the team has been busy advising private equity houses on the tax aspects of major deals. Leading the team is Muhunthan Kanagaratnam, who handles contentious and non-contentious matters, including M&A transactions. Hanh Chau leads the indirect tax practice, with a focus on GST and stamp duty-related matters. Mark Goldsmith draws on more than 30 years of experience and has significant expertise in M&A matters. Melbourne-based partner Julian Cheng is a key name for M&A and fund structuring.

The tax practice at ‘fresh, innovative and progressive law firm’ Hall & Wilcox regularly assists clients with tax structuring, advisory, dispute management and compliance matters. The team has specific expertise in the banking, funds, insurance, property, construction, health and media industries, to name a few. Frank Hinoporos focuses his practice on cross-border tax and succession planning for high-net-worth individuals and family offices. Anthony Bradica is well versed in advising corporate clients on the tax aspects of business transactions, while Sydney-based partner Jim Koutsokostas has expertise in the banking, government and construction sectors. Jacqueline McGrath is a tax litigation expert who regularly acts for a range of clients, including large multinational companies and individuals in disputes with the ATO. Special counsel Adam Dimac is also a key name to note. All lawyers are based in Sydney unless otherwise stated.

The tax practice at Jones Day ‘excels in large-scale litigation involving international tax issues’. The practice also assists clients with the tax aspects of major deals, including cross-border financing and M&A transactions. On the tax disputes front, the team is regularly instructed by multinational corporations across a range of industries. Highly regarded practice head Niv Tadmore is ‘very strong and successful in negotiations with authorities’. Benjamin Lancaster is well versed in international tax disputes, particularly on transfer pricing and anti-avoidance matters. Simon Bowden has expertise in the tax aspects of high-value, cross-border transactions. Lauren Moses has unique expertise in tax disputes from a taxpayer, commissioner and judiciary perspective, due to her experience representing the Commissioner of Taxation and as a judge’s associate.

With clients ranging from high-net-worth individuals and family groups to multinational corporations, the tax practice at KPMG Law in Australia is commended for its ‘depth of experience and deep skills’. The practice is equipped to provide a multi-disciplinary approach when assisting its clients with tax disputes. Melbourne-based practice head Angelina Lagana has significant experience in complex, large-scale tax disputes and is ‘a standout in her ability to coordinate large matters’. In Sydney, Keith Swan draws on more than 20 years of experience in tax controversy matters. Alexandra Patrick has broad expertise and can regularly be found assisting clients with income tax and transfer pricing audits.

The tax team at A&O Shearman receives praise for being ‘technically excellent, but with a commercial mindset’. Handling a range of matters, the practice is regularly instructed by financial institutions and corporates on cross-border transactional matters. Ka Sen Wong has expertise in several industries, including funds, property and infrastructure; clients highlight that he ‘understands and unpacks the deep tax technical issues, with a commercial and pragmatic view’. Angela Melick has significant expertise in property transactions and vendor and purchaser due diligence. Senior associate Alice Morstyn focuses her practice on income tax, stamp duty and GST.

Underpinned by a significant global network, the tax team at DLA Piper is regularly instructed on cross-border matters. On the tax litigation front, the team advises domestic and international companies to prepare and engage with the ATO. The department also has expertise in advising warranty and indemnity insurers in respect of front-end underwriting on policies and back-end dispute resolution. Sydney-based practice head Jock McCormack focuses his practice on debt and equity structuring, M&A, transfer pricing and major project-related tax matters. In Melbourne, Adam Smith is a key name for insurance tax-related matters. Eddie Ahn brings expertise in tax structuring, cross-border transactions, tax consolidation and stamp duty. Jun Au and Kenny Mui are key names to note at the senior associate level.

K&L Gates receives plaudits for its ‘very experienced global tax practice', which is 'great for cross-border issues’. The team works closely with the firm's investment funds, real estate and corporate departments to advise on a wide range of matters, including cross-border asset financing investment, corporate tax and international tax. Sydney-based practice head Betsy-Ann Howe is well versed in cross-border international tax and corporate tax matters and is appreciated by clients for her ‘very commercial advice’. Matthew Cridland focuses his practice on indirect tax matters and is considered by a client as ‘one of the country's leading indirect tax and GST lawyers’. Special counsel Leslie Petro is active in tax matters related to inbound and outbound investment, cross-border financing and corporate tax. The team welcomed Stuart Broadfoot in April 2023 from King & Wood Mallesons.

Based in Melbourne, the ‘super responsive, reliable, helpful and pragmatic‘ practice at Mills Oakley is active in indirect tax, advising its clients on GST, stamp duty and connected issues. The firm’s broad roster of clients features property developers, property funds, private landholders, high-net-worth individuals and W&I insurers. Practice head Andrew Spalding is an ‘exceptional tax lawyer‘ and stands out for having strong expertise in M&A, warranty and indemnity insurance, and employee share and option schemes. Marina Raulings specialises in state taxes, including stamp duty, land tax and payroll tax. Craig Gibson is well versed in indirect tax and the taxation of charities and not-for-profits.

The Sydney-based tax team at Norton Rose Fulbright has particular expertise in advising on warranty and indemnity insurance and cross-border M&A transactions. The team benefits from the extensive experience of practice head Greg Reinhardt, who regularly advises clients on the tax aspects of corporate deals. Special counsel Seema Mishra brings additional expertise in the warranty and indemnity market.