Communication and change

Highlights of the ATO's 2026 employee census results on communication and change.

Published 6 October 2026

ATO communication index score

Your communication index score is 73. Variance from:

The communication score measures communication at the individual, group and agency level.

Overall results on communication
Statement	Positive	Neutral	Negative
My supervisor communicates effectively	84%	10%	6%
My SES manager communicates effectively	74%	19%	7%
Internal communication within my agency is effective	71%	19%	10%

Communication result variance 1
Statement	Variance from 2025	Variance from APS overall
My supervisor communicates effectively	0	+4
My SES manager communicates effectively	+1	+4
Internal communication within my agency is effective	+1	+12

Communication result variance 2
Statement	Variance from larger operational agencies	Variance from extra-large sized agencies
My supervisor communicates effectively	+4	+4
My SES manager communicates effectively	+5	+5
Internal communication within my agency is effective	+11	+10

Effective communication is an important part of any change process. Note these questions do not contribute to the above index score.

Overall results on change
Statement	Positive	Neutral	Negative
When changes occur, the impacts are communicated well within my workgroup	72%	17%	11%
Staff are consulted about change at work	53%	33%	13%
Change is managed well in my agency	57%	27%	16%

Change result variance 1
Statement	Variance from 2025	Variance from APS overall
When changes occur, the impacts are communicated well within my workgroup	+1	+6
Staff are consulted about change at work	−1	+4
Change is managed well in my agency	+1	+13

Change result variance 2
Statement	Variance from larger operational agencies	Variance from extra-large sized agencies
When changes occur, the impacts are communicated well within my workgroup	+6	+6
Staff are consulted about change at work	+3	+3
Change is managed well in my agency	+12	+11

QC108137