Begin your ATO career with confidence
Congratulations on joining the ATO! Starting a new role is exciting, and sometimes a little overwhelming, but we're here to help you settle in and grow your career with us.
At the ATO, every role contributes to Australia’s wellbeing. Whether you're collecting and analysing data or helping taxpayers to meet their obligations, your work helps fund essential services and build a fair tax system.
You're joining a workplace where you can truly belong, have a voice in how you make a difference, and grow a successful career. Your unique skills and experience are valued, and we’re committed to helping you thrive and reach your full potential.
Read on to learn about working in the Australian Public Service (APS), the ATO's structure, culture and employment conditions.
Before you start
As an ATO employee, you’ll need to comply with your taxation and superannuation obligations.
Before your first day, you'll need to:
- create a myGov accountExternal Link or link your existing myGov account to ATO Online Services
- check ATO Online Services to ensure your details and obligations are up to date.
Your first day
Where to meet your first day contact
Your Letter of Offer includes your start date and time, office location, and who to meet.
On your first day, your contact will greet you in the office foyer at the listed time. If you're running late or unable to attend on your first day, let them know as soon as possible.
What to wear
Dress in neat, professional attire. Avoid clothing with offensive or political messages.
What to bring
Make sure you bring:
- letter of offer (digital or hard copy)
- valid photo ID (e.g. drivers licence, proof of age card)
- mobile phone
- personal items such as plates, mugs and cutlery.
You will be given a locker on site for storing your belongings.
What to expect
Your manager or first day contact will guide you through your schedule, which usually includes a site tour and introductions to your team members.
You’ll receive the IT equipment and system access you need to perform your role effectively. Your manager will explain your mandatory training and help you meet the required completion dates.
Some sites use hot desking, which means desks aren’t permanently assigned. This flexible approach helps teams collaborate. Lockers are available for your belongings, and you’ll have access to all the tools you need. If you need a specific setup, speak with your manager.
Working at the ATO
We are globally recognised for leading best practice in the administration of tax and superannuation. We work together across 5 business groups to promote a level playing field and fairness for all.
Organisational structure
There are 5 key groups in the ATO’s organisational structure:
- Enterprise Strategy and Corporate Operations
- Enterprise Solutions and Technology
- Law Design and Practice
- Frontline Operations
- Compliance and Engagement.
Each group plays a unique role in delivering our services. You’ll learn more about them and their supporting business lines during your induction.
Culture
Our personality is shaped by 5 key traits. These traits guide how we work, interact, and deliver services to the community. Embedding them in everything you do helps bring them to life for your team and colleagues.
- Client focused – putting our clients at the centre of everything we do.
- United and connected – working as one team to deliver for the community.
- Empowered and trusted – taking ownership, showing judgement and making considered decisions.
- Future oriented – adapting to meet immediate and future challenges.
- Passionate – serving the community with professionalism, energy and determination.
ATO enterprise agreement 2024
The ATO enterprise agreement sets out the terms and conditions of employment including salary, leave entitlements, flexible working arrangements and other important information about our employment framework.
APS values
As an APS employee working in the ATO, you are expected to always adhere to the APS Values. You are entrusted by the government and the community to undertake important work on their behalf.
The conduct of public servants, both inside and outside the workplace, can influence public confidence in the ATO and the broader APS. The principles of good public administration are embodied in the APS ValuesExternal Link.
The APS Values are often referred to as ICARES and stand for:
- Impartial - The APS is apolitical and provides the government with advice that is frank, honest, timely and based on the best available evidence.
- Committed to service - The APS is professional, objective, innovative and efficient, and works collaboratively to achieve the best results for the Australian community and the government.
- Accountable - The APS is open and accountable to the Australian community under the law and within the framework of Ministerial responsibility.
- Respectful - The APS respects all people, including their rights and their heritage.
- Ethical - The APS demonstrates leadership, is trustworthy, and acts with integrity, in all that it does.
- Stewardship - The APS builds its capability and institutional knowledge and supports the public interest now and into the future, by understanding the long-term impacts of what it does.
The APS Code of ConductExternal Link sets out the behaviours expected of all public servants to uphold the APS values.
Learn more
Learn more about working at the ATO.
Organisational priorities
Our strategic direction is set out in the ATO corporate plan 2025–26. It details our key activities and performance as well as the strategies employed to achieve them.
Inclusion and diversity
Our commitment to diversity and the initiatives in place help us build, support and retain a diverse and inclusive workplace. We encourage our employees to join our diversity networks to raise issues and support each other by sharing experiences and information.