Income tax: is the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) an educational institution for the purposes of the articles in Australia's double tax agreements (DTAs) dealing with the remuneration of professors and teachers?

No. CSIRO does not fall within the meaning of the expression 'university, college, school or other educational institution' in the professors and teachers articles in Australia's DTAs. It follows that visiting professors and teachers employed by CSIRO are not exempt from Australian tax under those articles.

Many of Australia's DTAs contain a professors and teachers article which exempts from Australian tax in certain circumstances, income derived by visiting professors and teachers from teaching or carrying out advanced study or research at a university, college, school or other educational institution in Australia.

The term 'educational institution' is not defined in Australia's DTAs. However Australia's DTAs provide that undefined terms generally have the meaning which they have under the domestic law of the country applying the DTA.

The meaning of 'school, college or other place of education' within section 82A of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 was considered in Case M11, 80 ATC 78, and it was held that 'other place of education' was taken to have a meaning limited to places of education which are similar to schools, colleges or universities. It was also held that for an establishment to be regarded as a place of education, the primary function of the establishment must be for education. Further, in Case P17, 82 ATC 72, 'school' had the meaning of a place at which organised or systemised instruction, usually in class form, is given on a regular and continuing basis.

CSIRO is primarily a research organisation. While CSIRO also has an educational role, it does not fall within the meaning of the expression 'university, college, school or other educational institution' for purposes of the professors and teachers articles in Australia's DTAs.