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Working in the APS

Highlights of the ATO's 2025 employee census results on working in the APS.

Published 21 November 2025

Experience in the ATO

Overall results on working in the APS

Statement

Positive

Neutral

Negative

I am supported to use my expertise to provide frank and fearless advice

72%

19%

9%

The people in my workgroup demonstrate stewardship

78%

17%

4%

The culture in my agency supports people to act with integrity

87%

9%

4%

I believe strongly in the purpose and objectives of the APS

90%

9%

1%

I feel a strong personal attachment to the APS

72%

21%

6%

My workgroup considers the people and businesses affected by what we do

86%

11%

4%

The people in my workgroup value others' individual skills and talents

84%

11%

5%

People in my workgroup are comfortable checking with each other if they have questions about the right way to do something

88%

8%

4%

The people in my workgroup are able to bring up problems and tough issues

82%

12%

6%

If you make a mistake in my workgroup, it tends to be held against you (reverse scored: positive scores represent those who disagreed, or strongly disagreed with this statement)

64%

23%

12%

Working in the APS variance 1

Statement

Variance from 2024

Variance from APS overall

I am supported to use my expertise to provide frank and fearless advice

+3

+3

The people in my workgroup demonstrate stewardship

0

+2

The culture in my agency supports people to act with integrity

+3

+6

I believe strongly in the purpose and objectives of the APS

+1

+1

I feel a strong personal attachment to the APS

+3

+4

My workgroup considers the people and businesses affected by what we do

−1

+1

The people in my workgroup value others' individual skills and talents

-

+1

People in my workgroup are comfortable checking with each other if they have questions about the right way to do something

-

0

The people in my workgroup are able to bring up problems and tough issues

-

+2

If you make a mistake in my workgroup, it tends to be held against you (reverse scored: positive scores represent those who disagreed, or strongly disagreed with this statement)

-

−3

Working in the APS variance 2

Statement

Variance from larger operational agencies

Variance from extra-large sized agencies

I am supported to use my expertise to provide frank and fearless advice

+3

+3

The people in my workgroup demonstrate stewardship

+3

+3

The culture in my agency supports people to act with integrity

+6

+6

I believe strongly in the purpose and objectives of the APS

+1

+1

I feel a strong personal attachment to the APS

+3

+2

My workgroup considers the people and businesses affected by what we do

+2

+3

The people in my workgroup value others' individual skills and talents

+2

+2

People in my workgroup are comfortable checking with each other if they have questions about the right way to do something

0

0

The people in my workgroup are able to bring up problems and tough issues

+3

+3

If you make a mistake in my workgroup, it tends to be held against you (reverse scored: positive scores represent those who disagreed, or strongly disagreed with this statement)

0

+1

Job satisfaction

Overall results on job satisfaction

Statement

Positive

Neutral

Negative

I am satisfied with the recognition I receive for doing a good job

70%

17%

12%

I am fairly remunerated (e.g. salary, superannuation) for the work I do

66%

17%

16%

I am satisfied with my non-monetary employment conditions (e.g. leave, flexible work arrangements, other benefits)

90%

7%

4%

I am satisfied with the stability and security of my job

90%

6%

3%

Job satisfaction variance 1

Statement

Variance from 2024

Variance from APS overall

I am satisfied with the recognition I receive for doing a good job

−1

+2

I am fairly remunerated (e.g. salary, superannuation) for the work I do

+3

+1

I am satisfied with my non-monetary employment conditions (e.g. leave, flexible work arrangements, other benefits)

+2

+5

I am satisfied with the stability and security of my job

+2

+4

Job satisfaction variance 2

Statement

Variance from larger operational agencies

Variance from extra-large sized agencies

I am satisfied with the recognition I receive for doing a good job

+4

+4

I am fairly remunerated (e.g. salary, superannuation) for the work I do

+5

+5

I am satisfied with my non-monetary employment conditions (e.g. leave, flexible work arrangements, other benefits)

+6

+7

I am satisfied with the stability and security of my job

+3

+3

Clarity and autonomy

Overall results on clarity and autonomy

Statement

Positive

Neutral

Negative

I understand how my role contributes to achieving an outcome for the Australian public

94%

5%

1%

I am clear what my duties and responsibilities are

86%

11%

3%

I have a choice in deciding how I do my work

69%

22%

9%

Where appropriate, I am able to take part in decisions that affect my job

74%

16%

10%

Clarity and autonomy variance 1

Statement

Variance from 2024

Variance from APS overall

I understand how my role contributes to achieving an outcome for the Australian public

0

+1

I am clear what my duties and responsibilities are

+4

+2

I have a choice in deciding how I do my work

+1

+1

Where appropriate, I am able to take part in decisions that affect my job

+1

+2

Clarity and autonomy variance 2

Statement

Variance from larger operational agencies

Variance from extra-large sized agencies

I understand how my role contributes to achieving an outcome for the Australian public

+1

+1

I am clear what my duties and responsibilities are

+1

+1

I have a choice in deciding how I do my work

+5

+7

Where appropriate, I am able to take part in decisions that affect my job

+3

+3

 

QC105883