A degree

This year applications will be open for those with a bachelor degree or higher in the following areas:

• accountancy
• business, business administration or business management
• commerce
• economics
• government and public management
• finance
• human resource management
• international business
• law
• marketing and management.

The right skills

We are looking for successful business management graduates who can:

• think strategically
• achieve results
• manage relationships
• act professionally
• communicate effectively
• perform the technical aspects of working in law, finance and accounting.

Business management graduates will work in the Operations Sub-plan, which is responsible for the majority of our interactions with the community and has the most direct contact with taxpayers. Our responsiveness and how we deliver change significantly influences the community’s confidence in our systems and reputation.

You will help Australia’s revenue collection agency stay at the forefront of emerging trends and technologies. With a growing international focus and strong national presence, you can help support the tax and superannuation systems that underpin the Australian way of life. 

Our vision is to deliver cost effective services to the community while being efficient, fair and professional. We aim to help taxpayers participate willingly by providing a positive supportive environment. We strive to give relevant information at the right time and make information accessible through multiple channels.  

Together we seek opportunities to improve customer support and influence taxpayers. We want to better understand the community, their expectations and emerging trends.

Operations also has a major role influencing and championing whole-of-government initiatives to make it easier for business to deal with government at all levels. We do this through our leadership of the Australian Business Register and our partnership with Treasury on Standard Business Reporting.

As part of the business management team in Operations, you will undertake specialised, hands-on training in a variety of areas. We will help you understand our business so you can contribute to our priorities.

You will rotate through the Operations Sub-plan and be exposed to work that will build your capability as a tax professional and future leader.

You will contribute towards:

• business process improvements, to identify opportunities to streamline our interactions with taxpayers and increase our resolution of concerns in the first instance
• the elimination of unnecessary contact with taxpayers by providing increased self-help services
• continuous improvement of our work practices and systems to better deliver on the accuracy and integrity of accounts.

The work you will do may range from direct interaction with taxpayers to help them meet their debt obligations to developing and implementing administrative policy in partnership with the community. Use this time to find out what work you like and sketch your future in our Operations area.

Some of the roles you may contribute towards, or be responsible for, are:

• assessing the integrity of taxpayer accounts, primarily through processing registrations, liaising with tax agents, lodgments, payments and collections across all revenue, superannuation and Australian Business Register products
• understanding the needs of taxpayers and tailoring products and services to meet those needs
• providing assistance and support to small business or individuals to help them meet their debt obligations
• developing and implementing administrative policy in partnership with the community to minimise the cost of compliance
• providing support and enabling services to achieve business outcomes and establish a platform for future business directions.

We are looking for graduates who are innovative and who will participate and bring new ideas into our organisation.

Becoming one of our business management graduates will give you the opportunity to experience our excellent work conditions, job diversity, and career development opportunities. You can contribute towards the tax and superannuation systems that underpin the Australian way of life.

We want you to consult, collaborate and co-design in conjunction with our varied stakeholders. 

Caitlin Woolf

When I joined the ATO I was fresh out of university and was beginning my first full time job. Like many who started with me, the first day of the program was filled with nervousness and apprehension about what was to come. All the nerves began to settle from the moment I arrived at the security desk when I was greeted by our programs incredibly supportive and welcoming grad manager.

Coming from a human resources and psychology background, I knew I would have a challenge in front of me in order to keep up with the high level of technical training I would receive. Due to the highly knowledgeable and approachable technical trainers in the program, I was able to learn all the different areas of tax taught during the year.

Throughout the program I have been presented with numerous opportunities for further learning and development. This includes meetings with senior leaders in the ATO, technical and corporate seminars, mentoring programs and endless networking opportunities. 

While there are several points throughout the program that are challenging in terms of workloads and expected output, the culture within the ATO ensures there will always be someone to give guidance and assist where possible. I am so grateful for the opportunity I was given to be a part of the graduate program.

Jennifer Lee

My induction to the ATO as a business management graduate has been a platform for exciting, fruitful opportunities.

Leadership development is made a priority. The graduates have been exclusively invited to attend presentations by speakers and visitors who have been part of many decisions that have led the progression of how Australia’s tax system is administered. The high calibre of people I have had the opportunity to meet has been inspiring and motivational. 

Training is structured into tax technical and corporate components delivered by trainers. Having studied marketing and human resource management at university, the provision of tax technical training has been invaluable. Training content is stimulating, relevant and a challenge that I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting. Corporate training has presented me with practical and theoretical experience in leadership, risk management and project management. The training component of the graduate program has built on my transferable, life-long skills.

My rotation experience has spanned across front line work, a specialist coaching role and working directly with executive staff. The pace is fast and the environment ever-changing so work is never boring, and balanced with full support.

I am proud to be part of a high-profile national organisation founded on professionalism, honesty, integrity and the highest ethical standards. Within a year I have liaised with a diverse range of individual and business taxpayers as well as inspirational, approachable staff.  I have been rewarded not only through my dynamic experiences but also by an excellent range of benefits, a safe working environment and opportunities for ongoing career development.