JCU: College of Business, Law and Governance

25/08/2026

Making an impact on the global stage! College alumnus Bill Mitchell OAM HonLLD (JCU), recently represented Community Legal Centres Australia at the first drafting session of the Intergovernmental Working Group on the Human Rights of Older Persons (IGWG HROP) in Geneva.

The landmark session marked the beginning of work towards a proposed Convention on the Human Rights of Older Persons, with Bill making four oral interventions throughout the week and collaborating closely with international civil society organisations, including the Global Alliance on the Rights of Older Persons (GAROP).

Bill's commitment to advocacy and human rights continues to make a difference both locally and internationally. We are honoured to have Bill present at our Legal Studies Conferences annually, where he generously shares his expertise and experience with the next generation of legal professionals.

Congratulations, Bill, on this significant contribution to advancing the rights of older persons worldwide.

24/08/2026

Genuine Fakes: How social media has taught us to perform identity, rather than live it!

Join us at a public lecture by guest presenter, and JCU: James Cook University, Australia Alumni, Alexis Zahner, a business psychology professional, communications leader, and author of Real: Reconnecting to Yourself in a World of Likes and Lies.

Drawing on her expertise in human behaviour, communication and digital culture, Alexis explores how technology and social media are reshaping the way we think, connect and work. Her work examines how social platforms shape attention, behaviour, and self-concept, and offers practical insights into leading, connecting and living authentically in an increasingly attention-driven world.

An exploration of performative behaviour and how, in the prolific era, identity has become a driver of engagement rather than authenticity.

24/08/2026

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:

Get your tax questions sorted and learn the easy way to complete your tax, all for free and made just for JCU uni students!

07/08/2026

Last night we celebrated the conclusion of the 2026 JCU: James Cook University, Australia and Townsville Chamber of Commerce Mentor Program and recognised the achievements of our mentors and mentees.

This year, we introduced a refreshed program design with a stronger focus on professional skill development, increased networking opportunities, and meaningful engagement between mentors, mentees and industry professionals.

A sincere thank you to our mentors for their generosity and commitment, and to our mentees for embracing the opportunity to learn, grow and build their professional networks. We look forward to seeing the impact of these connections and experiences in the years ahead!

27/07/2026

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!

27/07/2026

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!

20/07/2026

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.

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.

18/06/2026

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

17/06/2026

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 😁

26/05/2026

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!