Integrity checks

Integrity checks

We conduct the following integrity checks during recruitment and onboarding:

• internal integrity checks – to identify adverse conduct or performance records associated with candidates that are current or former ATO employees or contingent workers
• pre-engagement integrity checks (PEIC) – to check suitability for employment with the ATO for all external candidates that will be working for or on behalf of the ATO
• additional checks – to verify employment history and other checks for all external candidates that will be working for or on behalf of the ATO at the APS 6 level and above.

Integrity check principles

The ATO undertakes integrity checks for all engagements, promotions and transfers or secondments within and into the ATO, including from other APS agencies.

We consider integrity risks to ensure we are maintaining standards of conduct, public confidence and trust in our people, information, systems and processes. This extends to reasonably and relevantly considering historical conduct matters.

We may contact your current, and in some cases previous, employers to verify your employment history, including your behaviour, conduct and performance history.

If you are a current or former ATO employee, we will refer to internal records held in our HR systems.

We will generally consider the following work history:

• the last 2 years where it relates to a record of performance or behavioural counselling
• the last 5 years where it related to a breach or sanction of the APS Code of Conduct (or similar if in another sector) or formal direction
• the last 7 years where it relates to termination of employment for conduct or integrity matters.

The term 'generally' is used intentionally because it's recognised there are some situations where records are considered relevant outside the standard time periods. For example:

• representational or overseas roles
• high risk positions
• where the nature of the prior matter would prove incompatible with the proposed duties
• where the nature of the prior matter would put the ATO’s reputation at risk
• where the nature of the prior matters relates to child sexual abuse.

We will consider the nature and seriousness of the conduct, the degree of risk it poses, how long ago it occurred, and ongoing standards of behaviour. There may be situations where the nature or pattern of misconduct may preclude you from occupying roles in specific business areas. The final recruitment decision rests with the recruitment delegate.

APS employees will be afforded the opportunity to provide clarification on any concerns raised about their current or previous APS employment.

It is not the intention that historical misconduct affects your career indefinitely, without regard to its relevance and the position while reflecting a balance between our interests, your interests and the public interest.

Internal integrity checks

We conduct internal integrity checks to identify any adverse conduct or performance records associated with candidates that are current or former ATO employees or contingent workers.

We do this to ensure your suitability for the position you have applied for, and to ensure we are maintaining standards of conduct, public confidence and trust.

If you apply for a job with us, internal integrity checks will be undertaken during the recruitment process (generally prior to interview) and again during onboarding.

Pre-engagement integrity checks

We do pre-engagement integrity checks for all candidates engaged as Australian Public Service (APS) employees or contingent workers to ensure your suitability for employment with the ATO.

If you're engaged as a non-ongoing, casual employee or contingent worker, you'll need to renew your PEIC every 3 years.

Contingent workers include external contractors and consultants, labour-hire staff, or those hired through external agencies.

We can't engage you, or we may terminate your contract or services, if you fail to:

• participate in this process
• supply personal information
• satisfy our PEIC.

Our video explains why we do checks before we engage you, and what is involved.

You'll need to supply us with some personal information so we can complete these checks.

Pre-engagement integrity check process

Identity and citizenship check

We'll check your:

• proof of identity, including any name changes or aliases used
• Australian citizenship (for APS employees)
• Australian work rights and residency status of non-citizen contingent workers
• National police records.

You'll need to consent to undergo a national police records check, and give us details of:

• your drivers licence, firearms licence and passport (if you hold any of these)
• any criminal charges, convictions or pecuniary penalties
• your full continual address history of the past 5 years, including time you have lived overseas.

If you've lived overseas for a total of 12 months or longer in the past 5 years, we'll ask you to give us:

• a national police check from the overseas countries you resided in, and
• evidence of your overseas addresses.

If you've spent most of the past 5 years outside Australia, you may not be eligible for employment with us.

Compliance and conflicts

We need to know:

• you're compliant with your tax, superannuation and registry obligations – when you work with us, we expect you to model the behaviour expected of the community
• if you have any conflicts of interestOpens in a new window – for example, if you're a registered tax or BAS agent, tax financial adviser or SMSF auditor (we'll advise whether you need to cancel these types of registrations)
• if you have any other financial or personal interests that may conflict with (or be seen to conflict with) your work with us.
• if you are undertaking work outside the ATO.

If you're being engaged as an APS employee, we'll also need to know:

• you're fit to undertake the essential duties and tasks of the position you are employed for, either with or without workplace adjustment
• details of any workplace adjustments you need, to allow you to be able to perform your job effectively and safely
• if you have received a redundancy payment from an APS agency or the Australian Parliamentary Service within the last 12 months.

Additional checks

If you're applying for an APS 6 role or above, or a position that is identified as higher risk, we'll do additional checks including:

• verification of your employment history within the last 5 years, including your behaviour, conduct and performance and the reasons for your separation
• a search of the bankruptcy register
• a search of the Tax Practitioner Board register
• a review of your digital footprint, which involves an internet search to review your publicly accessible social media and online presence.

Some roles require a security clearanceOpens in a new window in addition to the PEIC. This is managed by the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA). We'll let you know if we need you to undertake a security clearance.

Documents you'll need

Gather the following documents so they're ready to go if you're offered a position. We'll contact you with details of how to lodge them online.

Proof of your identity and citizenship

You'll need to give us 4 identity documents – one from each of the following 4 groups:

• Group 1 – commencement of identity document
• Group 2 – photo ID document issued by government
• Group 3 – evidence in the community document
• Group 4 – proof of current address document

Group 1: commencement of identity document

You must give us a copy of one of the following:

• your full Australian birth certificate issued by the state or territory Registry of Births, Deaths and MarriagesOpens in a new window (no birth certificate extracts or a commemorative birth certificates)
• your Australian citizenship certificate (including both the front and back of the certificate)
• a certificate of evidence of Australian citizenshipOpens in a new window from the Department of Home Affairs (DHA)

Group 2: photo ID document issued by government

You must give us a current copy of one of the following:

• your Australian passport
• a licence or permit issued under a law of the Australian Government, a state or a territory – for example, an Australian drivers licence (and the back of the licence if it includes address details)
• your Proof of Age card
• Australia Post Keypass identity card
• your Department of Home Affairs (DHA) ImmicardOpens in a new window.

You'll also need to give us a selfie (a photo taken of yourself) with your photo ID document.

Group 3: evidence in the community

You must give us a current copy of one of the following:

• your Medicare card
• an identification card issued by the Australian Government, state or territory as evidence of entitlement to a financial benefit (for example, a Services Australia Health Care Card)
• a security guard or crowd control licence
• a tertiary identification card
• a private health care card
• a credit card or bank card
• a bank account statement.

Group 4: proof of current address document

You must give us a copy of one of the following, showing your current residential address:

• your signed property lease or rental agreement
• an account or notice from
  • a utility (such as electricity, phone or gas)
  • superannuation or insurance
  • your motor vehicle registration or land rates notice
• electoral roll registrationOpens in a new window – you can
  • go online to check or update your address details on your state electoral role online
  • use the confirmation email or screen message as evidence.

Additional proof of citizenship

If you were born in Australia on or after 20 August 1986, you must give us a copy of one of the following (if not already supplied):

• your Australian passport issued in your name on or after 1 January 2000 that was valid for at least 2 years
• an Australian citizenship certificate in your name
• evidence of one of your parent's Australian citizenship at the time of your birth – you can give us one of the following
  • a parent’s Australian birth certificate
  • a parent’s certificate of Australian citizenship issued before your birth.

If you can't give us any of these, you must apply to the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) for a certificate of evidence of Australian citizenshipOpens in a new window.

Change of name documentation

You need to give us official name change documentation for each and every name change.

Provide one of the following documents to substantiate your change of name:

• Australian marriage certificate issued by the state or territory Registry of Births, Deaths and MarriagesOpens in a new window with the identification or registration number clearly visible
  • we can't accept marriage certificates from your marriage ceremony as they don't include identification or registration numbers
  • if you don't have a certificate issued by the relevant state or territory Registry of Births, Deaths and MarriagesOpens in a new window, apply for one from the relevant registry
• overseas marriage certificate issued by official authority
• decree nisi or decree absolute (that is, formal evidence of divorce)
• deed poll
• re-issued birth certificate with name change documented
• an official name change document issued by the state or territory Registry of Births, Deaths and MarriagesOpens in a new window.

If you use another name that is different to the name on your official documents, you need to complete a statutory declaration stating why your name is different. For example, if you have not changed your name legally by marriage, divorce or deed poll.

Timeframe

It can take up to 20 working days after we receive all your complete and correct documentation to process your PEIC. If there are issues with any of the checks or the documentation you provide, we'll contact you. This may mean the process could take longer.

Ongoing integrity

We may also do further integrity checks during your engagement.

To demonstrate required standards of integrity and ethical behaviour, you must:

• comply with your personal tax, superannuation and registry obligations – modelling the behaviour we expect of the community
• uphold your declaration of secrecy
• follow the APS code of conductOpens in a new window, including actively managing conflicts of interest.