Graduate Program Indigenous Affirmative Measures (Feb 2026)

2026 ATO Graduate Program - Indigenous Affirmative Measure

We have some great opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in our 2026 ATO Graduate Program.

Join an award-winning graduate program

Grow your career alongside fellow Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, in a job that positively impacts the lives of all Australians. 

You can be part of team that:

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

Be part of a team where you know you belong and are supported. Our 12-month graduate program will help you be your best and build your career. 

Like where you live? We could have an office near you! We have offices in almost every state and territory, including regional areas. If we don’t have an office near you, we may be able to help with relocation costs.

What you’ll do 

You’ll have five careers in your life. We 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, in the graduate program, job rotations, allow you to explore different areas, so, you can discover where you want your career to take you.

You’ll work alongside experts, receive mentoring and on-the-job-training, while building your skills, knowledge, and your networks. With hundreds of positions for grads of Data, IT, Law, Accounting, Commerce, Design, HR, Communications and more, we have a role for you!

Work/life balance

We know your health and wellbeing are important. We want you to feel your best at work and outside of work. That’s why we support a healthy work-life balance including:

• flex-time
• flexible working hours 
• generous leave 
• arrangements to work from home and in the office.

We’ll also provide lots of opportunities for you to socialise and network with fellow graduates.

Salary and super

A competitive starting salary of $72,951, plus 15.4% super, is just the beginning. Once you complete the program, you’ll secure a permanent position and a pay rise! Your salary will be $81,265, plus 15.4% super and, as an APS4 officer within the ATO, you can earn up to $91,199 plus 15.4% super.

Diversity at the ATO

We have a supportive culture committed to providing a culturally diverse and safe working environment. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees have access to:

• cultural or ceremonial leave, including leave to attend NAIDOC activities
• Moondani staff network, a support system for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees
• Kawutilin ally network, which support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and initiatives in the workplace
• Diversity Human Resource Officers, who support the delivery of the ATO's Diversity and Inclusion Strategy
• Indigenous Liaison Officers who give advice and support to staff including specialist advice for situations and initiatives affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employee roundtable events. These aim to enhance career development activities, connection to culture and networking.

We recognise the importance of recruiting and retaining Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We’re taking action to achieve this through our:

• 2024-27 Reconciliation Action Plan
• 2024 Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.            

Ideal candidates 

We’re seeking Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with curious minds, ready for a rewarding career in a nurturing organisation. You should have a can-do attitude, excellent communication skills, enthusiasm, and the ability to think outside the box. If this sounds like you, apply today!

Eligibility

You can apply for our graduate program if you are 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.

Confirmation of heritage

To be eligible for employment under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander affirmative measure*, you need to provide confirmation of your Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander heritage.

This means confirming that you: 

• are of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples descent 
• identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person 
• are accepted as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person. 

We understand this can take some time to organise. We’re committed to ensuring that this does not become a barrier for candidates so please get in touch with us at entrylevelprograms@ato.gov.au if you have any questions, we're here to support you.

If you're having trouble getting a confirmation, there are resources to assist you:

• Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies
• Link-Up
• Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations
• National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation

Next steps 

Apply for the ATO Graduate Program today.

Apply for the data and HR streams via the Australian Government Graduate Program (AGGP).

Applications open:

ATO Graduate Program from 3 March to 10 April 2025

AGGP Data stream from 3 March - 31 March 2025

AGGP HR stream from 3 March - 14 April 2025

To find out more, please visit our website ato.gov.au/grads or email entrylevelprograms@ato.gov.au.

*Note: While merit remains the basis for selection, engagement and promotion, these positions are available through our Indigenous affirmative measures process and only open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.