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Australian Taxation Office (ATO)

4.2
  • #5 in Government & public service
  • 1,000 - 50,000 employees

Australian Taxation Office (ATO) Graduate Programs & Internships

  • Government & Public Service

Our Graduate program provides:

  • an intensive 12-month program
  • work-life balance including working from home, flex time and generous leave entitlements
  • a competitive starting salary of $70, 280 plus 15.4% super
  • two challenging work rotations to develop your skills and explore different areas of interest
  • dedicated training and development opportunities
  • a program manager to support you throughout the year
  • an inclusive and diverse workplace culture
  • an excellent social and networking base.

As an ATO graduate, you’ll be given all the challenges you desire, with meaningful work and an extended training program to help you navigate through your career journey, all while being a part of an organisation that strives to make a positive impact. It’s a career that improves our country, and we want you to be a part of it.

On successful completion of our graduate program, you'll:

  • gain a permanent Government job (APS 4 level)
  • receive a minimum salary of $75,728 plus 15.4% super
  • continue to receive a wide range of employee benefits, including four weeks annual leave, annual salary advancement and flexible working hours, generous leave entitlements
  • be able to explore further study and qualifications.

Disciplines

We're looking for people from a range of disciplines including Law, Information Technology, Human Resource Management, Finance, Economics, Accounting and Commerce, Design, Marketing and Communication, and Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM), and Statistics. 

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply, you must have completed your university degree within the last five years or be in your final year of study. At the time of commencing our program, you must have completed all your course requirements. 

You must be an Australian citizen and willing to undergo police, character and health checks as required. 

The program starts in February 2025. 

University Paid Internship Program 

Have you heard of the ATO University Paid Internship Program (UPIP) formerly known as University Partnership Employment program (UPEP)? It could be your way into the ATO Graduate Program.

UPIP offers flexible working arrangements and opportunities for university students to work at the ATO while undertaking tertiary studies. It aims to showcase the ATO as an employer of choice and provide university students with exposure to the variety of work we do and how it can relate to their studies.

By providing relevant experience before students apply, UPIP can be a perfect pathway into the ATO Graduate Program.

You can find more details on our website.

Recruitment Process

Have a look at the steps below to get an understanding of our recruitment process for our Graduate program. 

Application

The first step is completing your online application, this will include your resume, academic transcript, and answers in the application form. If you're successful in your application, we'll contact you with an offer and further information. 

You may need to attach additional material and documentary evidence to support your application.

These may include:

  • current Resume/Curriculum Vitae
  • your contact details, work history and education details (including your current Academic Transcript)
  • certified documentation supporting your Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander heritage.

Assessment activities 

The next step after your application has been found successful is our assessment activities:

  • Stage 1 is an online application
  • Stage 2 is an online assessment
  • Stage 3 is a virtual assessment centre including an interview

We will review your performance from each assessment stage before you progress to the next stage of the recruitment process. This process will assist us in determining your suitability for the program.

Pre-employment checks

If suitable, we'll conduct a reference check and a number of pre-employment checks. This includes a police clearance. Any offer of employment will be subject to the results of these enquiries being satisfactory.

Offer

If you are successful, we will make you a formal offer.

Application Tips:

  • Do your research! You may wish to know more about it, visit our website.
  • Make sure your resume is up to date
  • Have your personal information, qualification details and academic transcript ready when you start your application
  • Save your application regularly to ensure you don't lose any data
  • Research the STAR interview method, where you describe the Situation, Task, Action and Result in each answer
  • Practice answering interview questions

Remuneration & Career Growth

Remuneration & Career Growth

The ATO is part of the Australian Public Service (APS), and with this comes many APS benefits. This includes competitive pay and super employer contributions (15.4%), four weeks annual leave, the importance of work-life balance, additional study options, inclusive and diverse workplace culture and countless career options!

ATO Graduates will commence on an APS 3 salary of $67,577 plus 15.4% super. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will advance to an APS 4 salary of $75,279 plus 15.4% super. As an APS 4 you can earn a total salary up to $81,703 plus 15.4% super.

Many of our employees who are now in leadership positions started at the ATO through our Graduate program. Graduates often have quick career progression and explore multiple pathways, working their way up to management positions in years to follow. 

Graduate Reviews

Overall Score
4.2
Overall score based on 25 reviews
They Score Best in…
8.6
Culture
9.0
Diversity
8.6
Management
8.5
Work Hours
8.6
Culture
9.0
Diversity
8.6
Management
8.5
Work Hours
What Graduates Say About Them
  • The best thing about working at the ATO is support mechanisms in place when you first start, and the collaborative environment created by the people and teams you get to work with. In the Graduate Program we have a dedicated Career Development Manager to guide us along the way and to be a point of contact during the program. The ongoing technical training ensures you are able to learn about the complex nature of the work undertaken at the ATO, as well as building skills in leadership and decision-making.
  • Leave entitlements, Enterprise Agreement, diverse workplace, helpful team members and good workplace culture.
  • Amazing culture, diversity in work, flexible hours, opportunities for growth and advancement.
  • The Graduate Program has been very varied with interesting work tasks and learning and development projects. The flexible benefits in terms of early start and early finish are great for my individual circumstances, as are the hybrid working from home arrangements.
  • Work life balance, investment in graduates (training, providing opportunities), fast career progression.
  • Being a government agency, the length of processes/ approvals can take a long time so it can be frustrating with projects.
  • The complexity of some of the work.
  • At times, juggling the graduate program with your business line work and responsibilities.
  • Pay
  • Slower working pace, dealing with approvals and red tape, varied competency levels within teams.

Jobs & Opportunities

Locations With Jobs & Opportunities
  • Adelaide, Albury, Brisbane, Canberra, Geelong, Gosford, Hobart, Melbourne, Newcastle, Perth, Sydney, Townsville & Wollongong.
Hiring candidates with qualifications in
B
Business & Management
C
Creative Arts
E
Engineering & Mathematics
H
Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences
I
IT & Computer Science
L
Law, Legal Studies & Justice
M
Medical & Health Sciences
S
Sciences
T
Teaching & Education
Current Jobs & Opportunities

Graduate Job

Adelaide, Albury, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Newcastle, Sydney, Wollongong
At the ATO, you'll do work you can't do anywhere else. Work that is meaningful, diverse and makes a difference to all Australians.
Applications Close
11 Apr 2024
Start Date
1 Feb 2025
Salary
AUD 70,280 / Year

Graduate Job

Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Hobart, Melbourne, Sydney, Perth
At the ATO, you'll do work you can't do anywhere else. Work that is meaningful, diverse and makes a difference to all Australians.
Applications Close
3 Apr 2024
Start Date
1 Feb 2025
Salary
AUD 70,280 / Year


Graduate Success Stories


  • Graduate stories
The thing I love most about ATO is that the work we do has real-world implications and impact on the community. I had the opportunity to speak to the employees and hear their stories firsthand and achieve meaningful results for them.

Zoe Penson

  • Graduate stories
The thing I love most about ATO is that the work we do has real-world implications and impact on the community. I had the opportunity to speak to the employees and hear their stories firsthand and achieve meaningful results for them.

Zoe Penson

  • Graduate stories
Meeting new people and thinking outside the box to find the most innovative and effective approach is a daily occurrence in my role.

Liam Bangay

  • Graduate stories
Meeting new people and thinking outside the box to find the most innovative and effective approach is a daily occurrence in my role.

Liam Bangay

  • Graduate stories
The thing I love most about ATO is that the work we do has real-world implications and impact on the community. I had the opportunity to speak to the employees and hear their stories firsthand and achieve meaningful results for them.

Zoe Penson

  • Graduate stories
The thing I love most about ATO is that the work we do has real-world implications and impact on the community. I had the opportunity to speak to the employees and hear their stories firsthand and achieve meaningful results for them.

Zoe Penson

  • Graduate stories
Meeting new people and thinking outside the box to find the most innovative and effective approach is a daily occurrence in my role.

Liam Bangay

  • Graduate stories
Meeting new people and thinking outside the box to find the most innovative and effective approach is a daily occurrence in my role.

Liam Bangay


A Day In The Life Of


  • Day in the life

Sui Ng

This is probably my favourite component of the ATO Graduate Program – the abundant training available and encouragement from all around to take every opportunity to learn and grow!
  • Day in the life

Sui Ng

This is probably my favourite component of the ATO Graduate Program – the abundant training available and encouragement from all around to take every opportunity to learn and grow!
  • Day in the life

Zarina Yusuf

In each rotation, we are provided with a variety of learning opportunities to expand our knowledge and gain new skills within the team.
  • Day in the life

Zarina Yusuf

In each rotation, we are provided with a variety of learning opportunities to expand our knowledge and gain new skills within the team.
  • Day in the life

Sui Ng

This is probably my favourite component of the ATO Graduate Program – the abundant training available and encouragement from all around to take every opportunity to learn and grow!
  • Day in the life

Sui Ng

This is probably my favourite component of the ATO Graduate Program – the abundant training available and encouragement from all around to take every opportunity to learn and grow!
  • Day in the life

Zarina Yusuf

In each rotation, we are provided with a variety of learning opportunities to expand our knowledge and gain new skills within the team.
  • Day in the life

Zarina Yusuf

In each rotation, we are provided with a variety of learning opportunities to expand our knowledge and gain new skills within the team.

Advice


Embracing a diverse and inclusive ATO

We’re active in fostering a safe and inclusive environment that values differences and enables everyone to perform at their best. This often means accommodating everyone’s individual needs.

The ATO LGBTI+ experience

We recognise the importance of the inclusion of LGBTQIA+ identities in the workplace. Embracing diversity creates a workplace where all staff are valued, respected and able to bring their unique and best selves to work.

Embracing a diverse and inclusive ATO

We’re active in fostering a safe and inclusive environment that values differences and enables everyone to perform at their best. This often means accommodating everyone’s individual needs.

The ATO LGBTI+ experience

We recognise the importance of the inclusion of LGBTQIA+ identities in the workplace. Embracing diversity creates a workplace where all staff are valued, respected and able to bring their unique and best selves to work.