A degree

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

• information technology
• computer science
• software engineering
• business informatics
• business systems
• information systems
• computing
• other relevant IT degrees (and double degrees).

The right skills

We are looking for successful IT graduates who have the drive and ability to:

• think strategically
• achieve results
• manage relationships
• act professionally
• communicate effectively
• perform the technical aspects of working in IT.

You will be working as part of the Enterprise Solutions and Technology (EST) business line. This line is responsible for our IT program of work, which enables and supports a number of services and initiatives.

EST supports our organisation to achieve business outcomes by providing efficient and effective enterprise solutions and IT services. This includes IT architecture and design services, applications, infrastructure, and security services.

EST provides leadership enterprise processes and capabilities through the following areas: 

• business solutions
• enterprise applications
• office of the Chief Knowledge Officer
• strategy, planning and assurance
• major programs
• service operations.

EST provides enterprise solutions and technology services that underpin much of our work.

As a graduate you will respond innovatively to the changing needs of the community, helping enhance our already world-leading processes, infrastructure and technology. You will undertake challenging and rewarding work through rotational placements in one or more of the following areas:

• IT strategy
• architecture design processes
• information management
• applications development
• risk management
• project management
• IT and information security.

If you are looking for a head start on a challenging and rewarding career, this is the program for you.

We want to get you involved in the design and implementation of efficient and effective solutions to enhance interactions with the tax and superannuation systems.

We implement:

• the government’s extensive legislative program
• the Cooper review
• superannuation elements of Australia’s Future Tax System
• the new resource taxation arrangements
• the flood levy.

We also contribute to whole-of-government initiatives.

You will contribute to the implementation of new policy proposals through enhanced online services and support people by making it as easy as possible for them to fulfil their responsibilities at minimum cost.

We strive to improve our processes and systems by developing calculators, portals, phone and online services. We challenge you to investigate issues by listening to community feedback and identifying improvements. We want you to help us continue to strengthen our analytical and risk management capabilities to provide greater differentiation of our services and compliance treatments.

You will ensure our processes, infrastructure and technology meet the changing needs of the community, and support the client experience by delivering improvements that:

• ensure the systems that support tax time are stable and secure
• enable us to respond quickly and innovatively to change
• leverage and adapt the use of our integrated systems to re-engineer processes and improve productivity and effectiveness
• upgrade systems to meet our government commitments, including displaying superannuation membership
• promote safeguards against technology-enabled threats, in particular identity theft and risk to the integrity of the tax file number
• develop strategies to lessen the impact of our activities on the environment.

Enhancing the capability of our people to meet future corporate outcomes is a key priority. By investing in our people we become more innovative, agile and responsive, which instils enthusiasm, commitment and pride in the work we do for all Australians.

Becoming an IT graduate will give you the opportunity to experience our excellent work conditions, job diversity and to sketch your future in your industry of choice. You can contribute towards the tax and superannuation systems that underpin the Australian way of life.

Ben Henry  

The best part about working at the ATO is the work life balance, and being flexible around the outside commitments you may have. The other perks are the skills that you develop through the different teams and rotations as well as the training that is provided and the chance to work with the unique IT systems.  

The first rotation that I was involved in was Australian Business Register (ABR), which I was placed into the design team where I was responsible for creating and modifying screen designs for the revamped ABR website. What I have learnt and liked from this rotation was getting to work on a major project, working to deadlines and knowing that my work will be able to be viewed by the public. 

My second rotation was in the Data Services team, where I was required to write structured query language code scripts to fix defects within the ABR and portal databases. This rotation was able to help me to expand my knowledge and gain vital experience while receiving help from mentors and experts.  

What I have really enjoyed the most while working here is the different teams you get to interact with and which you can learn a lot from; also the interesting people you work and socialise with. There are also different sporting groups which you can join and network with, as well as the social events which are held by the social club. 

Khai Hoang  

Being part of the first ever IT graduate 2012 intake for Melbourne was certainly a very interesting and exciting experience. We were like the prototype, if you will, and as such it was fraught with uncertainty but also a chance to show self initiative and provide feedback for future improvement. 

The first two weeks of induction was exciting and full of learning everyday. Though the experience of meeting new people, learning a large variety of new tasks (especially for someone from a non-tax background) was sometime overwhelming, it proved to be a valuable and often entertaining experience. I highly recommend talking and getting to know everyone during this induction period, and remember they are all just made up of the same nervous bundle as you. 

One of the best facets about being in the graduate program is the amount of support you get from the graduate program manager, speaking from my perspective of course, as they really do try to help you find varying and interesting work. Even if it is not what you thought you would be doing you might discover new insights, so it’s always best to keep an open mind. 

My first rotation was with Bulk Data Exchange, a part of enterprise application, where I was given the opportunity to work with many experienced and talented individuals, including IBM contractors. Using the latest technology in process-oriented programming, I was given the chance to work on a project from the very beginning. 

My second rotation was with major release 2 build, part of what is known as major program, this time we worked with ATO’s legacy and mainframe system in collaboration with the Accenture contractor. 

That’s the point about working in the IT part of the ATO, not only do you get to work with many people from different areas of the public sector, but you will also get a chance to work with those in the private sector as well. 

During the year a number of IT graduates and I had the opportunity to speak with the Commissioner, Michael D'Ascenzo. This experience represents how easy it is to speak to just about anyone in the ATO, and shows how the ATO is a community and not just a workplace. 

A career within the ATO is certainly not for everyone, but if you want to work in an organisation that serves the public good, as well as allows you to continually develop and grow, then the ATO might just be for you. And who knows? You might even learn to love it here. Did I mention the great work/life balance? 

Stephen Curran 

After graduating from university, I spent several years working for private firms gaining experience in different industries and roles. I decided to apply for the ATO graduate program to gain more stability and enhance my future career prospects. After a lengthy but worthwhile application process I was offered an ongoing position with the ATO. 

My career with the ATO began in early 2012 and in the first two weeks I was introduced to a range of topics designed to provide an understanding about the organisation, how it administers our tax system and prepare us for the year ahead. It also gave me an opportunity to network with other graduates, employees and trainers I would be working with. 

Throughout the year I undertook a range of valuable corporate and IT specific training, giving me an understanding of how organisation applies the whole of government frameworks as well as risk, quality and project management in the workplace. 

The workplace rotations have seen me work within IT Security and Corporate Analytics, exposing me to business modelling, project management, network administration, database administration, secure coding, security frameworks and data mining and visualisation. 

The graduate managers, team leaders and other staff have been a pleasure to work with, providing me with all the help and support I required to relocate, fulfil my duties and achieve the goals set out for me. 

The ATO prides itself on its culture which fosters mutual respect, diversity, honesty and integrity and invites you to be able to express ideas for innovation and improvement wherever an opportunity may exist leading way for a fulfilling career. 

The graduate program is definitely a worthwhile experience whether you have just finished university or are looking to expand your career beyond what you thought possible. The program aims to develop the future leaders of tomorrow, so why not get started today? 

Steven Dang 

 I joined the ATO graduate program in 2012, after deciding to move from the private defence industry to the Tax Office in the pursuit of opportunities to better develop my skills across a broad range of capabilities and to create a foundation for a successful and rewarding career.   

Upon commencing the program, I soon realised just how much time, endeavour, and consideration has been put into the graduate program from all levels of the organisation. From the well-planned and informative 2-week induction period to the comprehensive corporate and technical training days scheduled for each week, the Tax Office has made a considerable investment in its graduate workforce.  

As part of the IT stream, I was required to complete two 6 month rotations in different business lines to gain knowledge, experience, and exposure to diverse areas of the organisation.  

My first rotation as part of the graduate program involved working in the Enterprise Design branch of the Business Solutions sub-plan. Business Solutions is responsible for leading design within the ATO to ensure changes made to the tax and superannuation systems are the right changes, provide the right design solutions, and lead to the right outcomes for government. Working in Business Solutions has provided me a strong foundation and understanding of how discretionary and non-discretionary changes are implemented within the Tax Office, and just how important the design phase is ensuring changes to products are implemented successfully.  

My second rotation entailed working in the Enterprise Testing branch, where I was specifically involved with testing release 7 of the unclaimed super monies project. After working in the beginning phases of a project lifecycle in my first rotation, it was good to experience the end phases of a lifecycle and appreciate how imperative testing is to ensuring high quality changes are released into production.  

I have also been fortunate enough to participate in the Enterprise Solutions and Technology mentoring program. Participating in the mentoring program has allowed me to discuss work related issues, career opportunities and development ideas with my mentor, and is another example of the support you can come to expect from working in the ATO.