Sylvia Villios

Associate Professor Sylvia Villios

Associate Professor

Adelaide Law School

Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics

Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.


Dr Sylvia Villios is an Associate Professor at the Adelaide Law School, University of Adelaide. She researches and teaches in taxation law, particularly focusing on questions about the operation of the Australian tax system, taxation policy, corporate taxation and the role, powers and accountability of the Commissioner of Taxation. Outside of her primary research area, she has published extensively on the role and operation of Australia's succession laws.

Dr Villios is a co-director of the Regulation of Commercial, Corporations, Insolvency and Taxation (ROCCIT) research unit which is based at the University of Adelaide. She is an editorial panel member of the Australian Tax Law Bulletin, Lexis Nexis. During her academic career she has published over 35 peer-reviewed journal articles. She has a strong industry presence and sits on several state and national Tax Institute committees.

Dr Villios' background in taxation and commercial law extends beyond academia and includes experience in legal practice. Prior to her appointment as a lecturer, she was engaged in legal practice for six years at two of Adelaide's leading law firms, specialising in advising clients on taxation, trust law, superannuation and general corporate and commercial matters.

Dr Villios is a Board member of the South Australian Hellenic Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Tax law, tax policy, corporate taxation and and the role, powers and accountability of the Commissioner of Taxation.

  • Appointments

    Date Position Institution name
    2023 - ongoing Associate Professor University of Adelaide
    2017 - 2022 Senior Lecturer University of Adelaide
    2008 - 2016 Lecturer University of Adelaide
    2007 - 2010 Associate Lynch Meyer Lawyers
    2003 - 2006 Solicitor Minter Ellison Lawyers SA/NT
  • Awards and Achievements

    Date Type Title Institution Name Country Amount
    2022 Award Dean's Award, Research Impact, Adelaide Law School, 2022 University of Adelaide Australia -
    2021 Award 2021 Executive Dean of the University of Adelaide Faculty of the Professions Commendation for Excellence in Research Engagement and Impact University of Adelaide Australia -
    2019 Award Bonython Prize University of Adelaide Australia -
    2019 Award Finalist, Lawyer's Weekly Women in Law Awards, Academic category Lawyer's Weekly Australia -
    2016 Award Executive Dean of the University of Adelaide Faculty of the Professions Commendation for Excellence in Research University of Adelaide Australia -
    2016 Achievement Dean's Commendation for Doctoral Thesis Excellence University of Adelaide Australia -
    2011 Award Winner of the Best Presenter Award - - -
  • Education

    Date Institution name Country Title
    2005 - 2005 Law Society of South Australia Australia GDLP
    2001 - 2005 University of Adelaide Australia B Com. (Accounting)
    2001 - 2005 University of Adelaide Australia LL.B (with Hons)
  • Postgraduate Training

    Date Title Institution Country
    2014 - 2016 PhD University of Adelaide Australia
    2009 - 2012 M. Tax University of New South Wales Australia
    2005 - 2005 GDLP Law Society of South Australia Australia
  • Certifications

    Date Title Institution name Country
    2005 CTA Taxation Institute of Australia -
    2005 Barrister and Solicitor Supreme Court of South Australia -
  • Research Interests

Sylvia teaches at the undergraduate and postgraduate level. She is currently the Course Coordinator of Income Tax Law course (LLB), Income Taxation M (PG) course, Income Tax III (UG) the Succession Law (LLB) course.

  • Current Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)

    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2024 Principal Supervisor Business succession and retirement planning for small business in Australia? Are the current small business tax concessions sufficient for small businesses to adequately retire and businesses succession? Master of Philosophy Master Part Time Mr Markus Troschke
    2024 Principal Supervisor Are Death and Wealth Taxes the Solution to Achieving Vertical and Intergenerational Equity in Australia? Master of Philosophy Master Full Time Mr Simon Headland
  • Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)

    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2019 - 2021 Co-Supervisor Multinational Corporate Tax Avoidance In Australia & Australia’s Anti-Avoidance Law Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Max James Bruce
    2017 - 2022 Co-Supervisor Pursuing equity in the Australian superannuation system. Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr John Harrison
  • Committee Memberships

    Date Role Committee Institution Country
    2021 - ongoing Chair South Australian Engagement Committee The Tax Institute Australia
    2021 - ongoing Member National Engagement Committee The Tax Institute Australia
    2018 - ongoing Board Member South Australian State Council Taxation Institute of Australia Australia
    2018 - ongoing Board Member National Superannuation Technical Committee Taxation Institute of Australia Australia
    2005 - ongoing Member Technical committee Taxation Institute of Australia Australia
  • Memberships

    Date Role Membership Country
    2005 - ongoing Member Law Society of South Australia Australia
    2005 - ongoing Member Taxation Institute of Australia Australia
    2005 - ongoing Member National Institute of Accountants Australia
  • Consulting/Advisories

    Date Institution Department Organisation Type Country
    2018 - ongoing University of Adelaide Adelaide Law School Advocacy Australia
    2015 - ongoing University of Adelaide Law School Legislative and political Australia
  • Editorial Boards

    Date Role Editorial Board Name Institution Country
    2015 - ongoing Editor Adelaide Law Review - Australia
    2014 - ongoing Editor Australian Tax Law Bulletin, Lexis Nexis - Australia
  • Offices Held

    Date Office Name Institution Country
    2022 - ongoing Co-Director Regulation of Corporations, Insolvency and Taxation (ROCIT) research unit University of Adelaide Australia
    2021 - ongoing Chair, SA Engagement Committee The Tax Institute Australia
    2021 - ongoing Committee member, National Engagement Committee The Tax Institute Australia
    2017 - ongoing Committee Member of the National Superannuation Committee The Taxation Institute Australia
    2017 - ongoing State Councillor The Taxation Institute Australia
    2017 - ongoing Technical Committee Member The Taxation Institute Australia
    2014 - 2022 Head of the taxation sub-group of the Regulation of Corporations, Insolvency and Taxation (ROCIT) research unit University of Adelaide Australia
  • Position: Associate Professor
  • Phone: 83137223
  • Email: sylvia.villios@adelaide.edu.au
  • Campus: North Terrace
  • Building: Ligertwood, floor 4
  • Org Unit: Adelaide Law School

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