Apply for the ATO Graduate Program
Find out about how to apply for our Graduate Program. Applications are expected to open in March 2021. Keep an eye on this page for updates.
If you have HR qualifications and are pursuing an HR career you should apply through the APS Human Resources (HR) Graduate Development programExternal Link.
On this page:
Summary of application process
- We accept Graduate Program applications once a year.
- You will receive an email to acknowledge the submission of your application.
- We review applications.
- You will be notified if you have progressed to the next stage. Both successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified.
- We assess you online and/or face-to-face.
- We make a preliminary decision (progression or rejection) about whether you have been placed in the merit pool.
- We contact people in the merit pool regarding their availability for the Graduate Program. We are likely to make subsequent contacts after our initial round.
- We undertake final checks. Some of our roles require a security clearanceExternal Link.
- We offer placements to successful applicants from September onwards.
- Graduates commence February the following year.
When to lodge
Applications for the 2022 graduate Program are expected to open in March 2021. Exact dates are yet to be confirmed. Keep checking this page for an update.
Late applications will not be accepted.
Lodging your application
When completing the online application, we will ask you to provide:
- personal information
- details of your qualifications. We will ask you to include your current Academic Transcript (as an attachment – maximum 3MB)
- a statement verifying your qualifications if you have overseas qualifications (as an attachment – maximum 3MB).
Tips:
- Have this information ready when you start your application.
- Save your application regularly to ensure you don't lose any data. The page will time out if it is inactive for more than 30 minutes.
- We may request a resume and details of referees at a later stage if you progress.
After you lodge
Once you've lodged your online application, you'll receive a notification email confirming your submission. This email will also contain a link that directs you to the first assessment activity.
If you don't receive an acknowledgement email, you can check we have received it by logging in to eRecruitmentExternal Link and selecting My profile then View emails.
You can update your personal and referee details at any time by logging into eRecruitment. However, you will not be able to change any other details in your application.
If there are significant issues that affect the information in your application, email us at EntryLevelPrograms@ato.gov.au.
Assessment activities
There are three stages of assessment in the process. You will need to perform strongly in each assessment to progress to the next stage.
- Stage 1 is an online interview (automatic text conversation).
- Stage 2 is an online in-tray exercise (employee simulation exercise).
- Stage 3 will include a presentation, written exercise and behavioural interview designed to assess further your suitability and interest in the ATO Graduate Program.
Note that you will receive notification of each stage's outcome, even if you are not successful.
Preliminary decision
At this point, we will review your performance from all assessment stages of the process and determine your suitability for the merit pool.
Unsuccessful candidates can access feedback about their assessment centre performance after the selection process has finished.
Final checks
If your application is successful, you will receive a phone call to confirm your availability for the Graduate Program. Please note that this is not an official offer.
We will then undertake a number of checks:
- We will confirm you are or will be an Australian citizenExternal Link by 30 January 2022.
- We will confirm you have completed your university qualifications by 31 December 2021.
- You will need to satisfy our integrity check. We will check police records, confirm your identity and ask you to complete 2 forms – a Declaration of Secrecy and Compliance with tax and superannuation obligations. Additional checks may also be necessary.
- If the work you are being considered for requires you to have access to classified material, you may also need a formal security clearance assessment.
See also:
- Your integrity matters – Information about the pre-engagement integrity checks for candidates who are not current ongoing employees of the ATO.
Offers
After we have confirmed your availability and have obtained a satisfactory integrity check, we will send you a formal offer.
We anticipate making offers of employment from September 2021.
Find out how to apply for the ATO Graduate Program.