ATO School Leaver Program

Applications open

Applications for our 2025 School Leaver Program are open and will close at 11:00 pm (AEST) on 28 August 2024.

Apply now

Why choose us

If uni’s not for you, come work with us! If you're a 2023 or 2024 Year 12 graduate ready to make big things happen, the ATO School Leaver Program is for you!

You'll receive:

• full-time work in a 12–month program with practical, hands-on work experience
• a competitive starting salary of $54,606, plus 15.4% super
• a pay rise to $61,749 plus 15.4% super on successful completion. As an APS 2 officer, you could earn up to $68,436, plus 15.4% super!
• formal training, including a Certificate III qualification in IT or business
• professional development and networking opportunities
• a supportive team environment
• an inclusive and diverse workplace culture.
• opportunities across Australia. Positions for our 2025 program are available in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Hobart, Parramatta, Perth, Melbourne and Sydney.

Build your career

Join us and be a part of something BIG! Combat crime and fraud, support the community, and protect the data of millions of people. Help fund critical services and infrastructure that make a real difference in the lives of all Australians.

Don't just take our word for it, hear from our recent participants in the videos below.

Hear from recent participants

Meet some recent participants and hear about their experiences in ATO School Leaver Program.

Mitchell

Hear from Mitchell about his experience as a HR ATO School Leaver.

'The ATO School Leaver Program is a great opportunity to gain a load of experience and get a head start on your career, with nothing more than a high school certificate.' – Mitchell

Lillian

Hear from Lillian about her experience as an ATO School Leaver.

'I never thought I would have the chance to gain such valuable work experience so soon after finishing school. Thanks to the ATO School Leaver Program, I can't wait to see what the future holds, as I continue to grow and develop in my new role.' – Lillian

Who can apply

To be eligible for the program, you must:

• have completed Year 12 in 2023 or will complete Year 12 in 2024
• be an Australian citizen
• clear our pre-engagement integrity check.

Submit your application through our online recruitment systemExternal Link. Applications for the 2025 program are open and close 11:00 pm (AEST) on 28 August 2024.

Apply now

What we're looking for in a candidate

Our ideal candidate for the program:

• has competent written and verbal communication skills
• has good computer skills and can operate in a Windows-based environment
• can work in a scheduled, phone-based environment
• is resilient, flexible and independent
• is a team player
• takes a proactive approach to their work and embraces challenges
• has a willingness to learn.

Roles

Not big on numbers? That’s no big deal. We’re not all accountants at the ATO!

We have a variety of jobs, including:

• Administration officer
• Client engagement officer
• Information Technology officer

Administration officer

In this role, you will support and help organise our business areas.

You may:

• manage and maintain records and information
• work with our stakeholders
• compile and prepare documents and letters
• help with data management and reporting.

Client engagement officer

In this role, you will perform a range of customer service activities in an ATO call centre.

You may:

• resolve a broad range of customer enquiries
• provide technical advice on legislation, policy and procedures
• verify and update data
• record interactions in our business information systems.

Information Technology officer

In this role, you will perform a range of information technology related activities.

You may:

• respond to a broad range of enquiries
• participate in resolving internal information technology issues
• provide support to information technology projects and programs
• work with internal stakeholders to understand business needs. 

Training and support

Starting a career straight out of high school might feel daunting, but we’ve got you covered.

We provide:

• formal training and development of your professional skills to get your career started
• healthy working hours, flexible arrangements, generous leave, and extensive support for your physical and mental wellbeing

How to apply

When applications open, you'll need to:

• submit your application
• provide a 200-word response to a pre-determined question.

If you have questions about the program, email ATOSLP@ato.gov.au

Apply now

Assessment activities and timeline

Table: Assessment activities and timeline

Key stages	Date
Applications open	7 August 2024
Applications close	28 August 2024
Online skills assessment	September 2024
Assessment centre	October 2024
Availability and security checks	Late October/November 2024
Program commences	17 February 2025

Be prepared to perform your best! You'll need to do well in each assessment to progress to the next stage. Assessments include:

• a written response in your application
• an online skills assessment
• a video interview
• participating in a group activity.

You'll receive notification of the outcome of each stage, even if you're not successful.

Diversity at the ATO

We're committed to providing a culturally diverse and safe working environmentExternal Link. We want you to enjoy a full and varied career with us.

We encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to apply to our ATO School Leaver Program. Some positions in the program will be filled using Affirmative Measures – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander. They will only be open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Apply now - Indigenous Affirmative Measures

We also encourage people with disability to apply to our ATO School Leaver Program. Some positions in the program will be filled using Affirmative Measures – Disability. They will only be open to people with disability.

Apply now - Disability Affirmative Measures

RecruitAbility

RecruitAbilityExternal Link aims to attract and develop applicants with disability. We apply the RecruitAbilityExternal Link scheme to all advertised job vacancies.

When you select opt in to RecruitAbility in your application form, we'll progress you to the next stage of the assessment process if you:

• choose to opt in to the scheme
• declare you have a disability, and
• meet the minimum requirements of the role.