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Australian Taxation Office (ATO)

4.3
  • 1,000 - 50,000 employees

Australian Taxation Office (ATO) Graduate Programs & Internships

  • Government & Public Service

Why choose us

Build a career that makes a difference to the lives of all Australians. Be part of a team that:

  • combats crime and fraud
  • creates and delivers programs to support the community, and
  • protects the data of millions of people.

Graduates bring skills, expertise, and insights that drive innovation. That’s why the ATO invest in graduate programs and internships. The ATO seeks innovative and dynamic problem solvers who are ready to deliver Australian Government initiatives. 

Programs 

The ATO has many pathways to start a career for university students and graduates.

Graduate program: The award-winning ATO Graduate Program provides ongoing training, mentoring and career development opportunities. 

University Paid Internship Program (UPIP): The University Paid Internship Program offers university students hands-on, paid work experience. Build practical skills and get a head-start on your career.

ATO Graduate Program 

The ATO is looking for graduates ready to make big things happen and they want you to be a part of it! 

Be part of a team that combats crime and fraud, creates, and delivers programs to support the community, and protects the data of millions of people. Working alongside experts, you’ll receive the support, training and mentoring you need to build a successful career. 

The award-winning ATO Graduate Program provides:

  • an intensive 12-month program
  • work-life balance including working from home, flex time and generous leave entitlements
  • endless opportunities for career progression
  • job rotations so you can explore different areas and discover where you want your career to take you
  • a competitive starting salary of $72,951 plus 15.4% super

On completion, graduates will:

  • get a promotion and a pay rise! Your salary will start at $81,265 plus 15.4% super
  • continue to receive lots of employee benefits, including four weeks annual leave, annual salary increase*, and flexible working hours, generous leave entitlements
  • have further training, development, and study opportunities, including access to tuition assistance programs.

Disciplines

The ATO is looking for people from disciplines including Information Technology, Finance, Economics, Accounting and Commerce, Law, Design, Marketing and Communication, Human Resource Management, and Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM), and Statistics and more. 

Eligibility

You can apply for the graduate program if you’re an Australian citizen and either:

  • completed your university degree within the last 5 years (1 January 2021 to 31 December 2025)
  • are in your final year of study.

Haven’t finished your degree? No worries – the University Paid Internship Program could be for you? 

University Paid Internship Program 

If you’re interested in applying for the graduate program, when you finish your degree, the University Paid Internship Program (UPIP) is a great first step. 

The UPIP provides university students with hands-on paid work experience, aligned with what you’re studying at university. Dive into challenging work, while enjoying a casual position with flexible hours.

Applications for UPIP are open all year with opportunities available across the country.

More details can be found on the website: www.ato.gov.au/UPIP

Have a look at the steps below to understand the recruitment process. 

*An employee’s annual salary advancement is subject to their overall performance being assessed as satisfactory. For more information visit Pay and allowances | Australian Taxation Office

Recruitment Process

Learn more about the recruitment process for the graduate program and University Paid Internship Program.

Graduate Program recruitment process

You’ll need to perform well in each step to progress.

Step 1: Application

Complete the online application, including a resume and academic transcript.

Step 2: assessment activities 

  • Online skills assessment.
  • Online assessment centre, including an interview.

Step 3: preliminary decision

The selection process is merit-based and assess candidates based on skills, experience, knowledge, and the attributes required for the role. We also assess personal qualities such as honesty, integrity, and cultural fit.

Suitable candidates are added to a merit pool which is used to fill positions in the program.

Step 3: Final checks

Confirm availability and final checks, including Australian citizenship confirmation, university qualifications and integrity checks.

Some roles within the graduate program will require additional security clearances. You’ll l be advised if this applies to you.

Step 4: offer

Receive formal offer, including the start date.

The program commences in February 2026. 

UPIP recruitment process 

You’ll need to perform well in each step to progress.

Step 1: Application 

Complete the online application, including a resume (maximum 4 pages), application form and academic transcript. 

The register is open year-round, with vacancies occurring at various times and locations based on business needs.

Step 2: Assessment activities

This may include an online\interview.

Step 3: Final checks

Confirm availability and conduct final checks, including Australian citizenship confirmation, university qualifications and integrity checks.

Step 4: Offer

Receive formal offer, including the start date.

Remuneration & Career Growth

A career at the ATO comes many benefits, including:

  • competitive pay $72,951 plus 15.4% super
  • Promotion and pay rise on completion of program to 81,265 plus 15.4% super
  • four weeks annual leave, 
  • work-life balance
  • additional training, development, and study opportunities
  • inclusive and diverse workplace culture 

You’ll have five careers in your life. The ATO could give you, well, all of them! With so many different careers at the ATO, the possibilities are endless. Maybe you’re interested in building cutting-edge systems or influencing policy. Or maybe designing solutions to turn problems upside down is more your style. Great news is, job rotations, allow you to explore different areas so, you can discover where you want your career to take you.

Many leaders at the ATO started in the graduate program. Graduates can have quick career progression and explore multiple pathways, working their way up to management positions in years to follow. 

Graduate Reviews

Overall Score
4.3
Overall score based on 51 reviews
They Score Best in…
8.8
Culture
9.1
Diversity
8.5
Management
8.9
Work Hours
What Graduates Say About Them
  • The flexibility, culture, and career opportunities.
  • Great friendly culture at the workplace where team leaders and colleagues are always willing to assist.
  • Flexible working hours. Providing plenty of training.
  • The graduate program is structured well... It’s the best program that I have ever experienced (and know of).
  • It provides a supportive and inclusive environment for career progression and learning.
  • A lot of bureaucracy that isn't managed well.
  • Even for internal job applications, people are put in merit pools and go through a tedious job application process.
  • The pay increase from year to year could be better.
  • The limited team building or social activities available.
  • The procedural nature of every task limits the ability to work freely with creativity.

Jobs & Opportunities

Locations With Jobs & Opportunities
  • Adelaide, Albury, Box Hill, Brisbane, Canberra, Dandenong, Gosford, Hobart, Melbourne, Moonee Ponds, Newcastle, Parramatta, Penrith, Perth, Sydney, Townsville, Upper Mount Gravatt, 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 or Program

Adelaide, Albury, Box Hill, Brisbane, Canberra, Dandenong, Gosford, Hobart, Melbourne, Moonee Ponds, Newcastle, Parramatta, Penrith, Perth, Sydney, Townsville, Upper Mount Gravatt, Wollongong
Salary
AUD 72,951 / Year

plus 15.4% super with a guaranteed pay rise to $81,265, +15.4% super, after completing the program

Opening in 3 weeks

Graduate Job or Program

Adelaide, Albury, Box Hill, Brisbane, Canberra, Dandenong, Gosford, Hobart, Melbourne, Moonee Ponds, Newcastle, Parramatta, Penrith, Perth, Sydney, Townsville, Upper Mount Gravatt
Salary
AUD 72,951 / Year

plus 15.4% super with a guaranteed pay rise to $81,265, + 15.4% super, after completing the program


Graduate Success Stories


  • Graduate stories

Connor Hart

Graduate Officer – ERP Cloud Support at Australian Taxation Office (ATO)

Master of Information Technology (Information Systems Development) at University of Wollongong (UOW)

  • Graduate stories

Zoe Penson

Bachelor of Applied Finance with the degree of Bachelor of Economics at Macquarie University


A Day In The Life Of


  • Day in the life

Sania Tajammul

Information Technology Graduate at Australian Taxation Office (ATO)

Bachelor of Cybersecurity at La Trobe University

  • Day in the life

Asavari Deonath

Bachelor of Design at Australian National University (ANU)


Videos


ATO Graduate Program

Hear from our graduates on what it was like being part of an award-winning program, and their unique learning experiences at the ATO.

The ATO Graduate Program

Hear from our graduates on what it was like being part of an award-winning program, and their unique learning experiences at the ATO.