Australian Taxation Office (ATO)
Law Graduate Program (Jan 2026)
Canberra, Albury-Wodonga, Newcastle
Opportunity details
- Graduate Job or Program
- AUD 72951 / Year
- plus 15.4% super with a guaranteed pay rise to $81,265, +15.4% super, after completing the program
- 5-10 vacancies
- Apply by 10 Apr 2025
- Start date 31 Jan 2026
Position Description
Our award-winning Australian Taxation Office (ATO) Graduate Program offers opportunities for graduates from various fields including data, IT, accounting, commerce, law, design, HR, and communications. Graduates can 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.
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, in the graduate program, job rotations, allow you to explore different areas so, you can discover where you want your career to take you.
Haven’t finished your degree? No worries – our University Paid Internship Program could be for you.
What we offer
- a full-time, 12-month, award-winning graduate program
- a competitive starting salary $72,951 (plus 15.4% super) with a guaranteed pay rise to $81,265, plus 15.4% super, after completing the program
- tailored training and mentoring from subject matter experts to enable you to reach your full potential
- job rotations so you can explore different areas and discover where you want your career to take you
- endless opportunities for career progression
- work-life balance with generous leave, flexible hours and working arrangements. Plus, you’ll get support for your physical and mental health so you can be your best
- offices in almost every state and territory, including regional areas.
What you’ll do
Sharpen your legal skills
At the ATO, we want to make it easier for the community to do the right thing. As a law graduate, you are eligible to apply for our taxation stream. You’ll work with industry leaders, developing taxation and superannuation policies and legislation to help shape one of the best tax and super administration systems in the world. You'll work on projects of national importance that directly contribute to funding critical infrastructure.
You’ll work collaboratively with a dedicated team, conducting research and analysis to provide advice. Our la/ taxation graduates develop their skills within a policy and legislation specialty area.
You could:
- assist with the delivery of non-tax legal and dispute resolution services through the provision of procedural, operational and legal support
- analyse, interpret and apply legislation, policies, practices and precedents in the resolution of legal matters; under the direction of more senior employees or escalating cases where appropriate
- assist with managing disputes in a range of jurisdictions on behalf of the ATO in relation to a non-tax legal matter.
Who you are
We’re looking for people with curious minds, who can demonstrate a passion for Australian Government initiatives. If you enjoy outside the box thinking, sharing ideas and building relationships, this could be the perfect opportunity for you.
Who can apply
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.
Next steps
Ready to make big things happen? Visit our page.
Hiring criteria
- No experience required
- Australian Citizen
- Law, Legal Studies & Justice +more
- Bachelor or higher
Reviews
I help monitor and manage the Indvidual risk rules to stop fraud and close the tax gap.
I am definitely satisfied with my work as it is meaningful, exciting and overall enjoyable. Sometimes the amount of work can be too much and I am working above my capacity.
I am currently in my second rotation with one of teams under Policy Analysis and Legislation. I work on a various type of legal research, and learn to write different types of legal documents. I also work on a project with other graduates to develop a new tax policy.
About the employer
Australian Taxation Office (ATO)
4.3
1,000 - 50,000 employees
Government & Public Service
At the ATO, you'll do work you can't do anywhere else. Work that is meaningful, diverse, and challenging.
Pros and cons of working at Australian Taxation Office (ATO)
Pros
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.
Cons
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.