Download a copy
Download a copy of the Reconciliation Action Plan 2021–24 (PDF, 4.5MB)This link will download a file.
Commissioner’s message
As the ATO continues our reconciliation journey, we are growing our collective understanding of the important connection Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have to Country, kin, culture, language, and community. Through this we are learning how to deliver the best services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities, and businesses.
I am proud to present the 2021–24 ATO Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), which builds on current momentum and sets new goals for us to pursue in the years ahead. It provides information about initiatives that support reconciliation and a framework for sharing our lessons and successes.
We recognise that reconciliation is everyone’s business and to achieve improved outcomes we must walk alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities. For the ATO, this means embedding reconciliation initiatives into all areas of our agency and our services to the community, as well as valuing the contribution that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples make to our organisation and the broader tax and superannuation systems.
First and foremost, our ongoing priority is to build and maintain respectful relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and stakeholders. We understand that growing our awareness, knowledge, and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities, histories and cultures will help us to better meet the needs of Indigenous taxpayers, employees and suppliers, and support greater participation in the tax and super systems.
I am proud of the culturally inclusive environment we have fostered at the ATO, but I know we have further to go on this journey. This plan provides a strong platform to build on our successes and support greater inclusion for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples – both within the ATO and in our services to the broader community.
Chris Jordan AO
Commissioner of Taxation, Registrar of the Australian Business Registry Services
Our vision for reconciliation
Our vision for reconciliation is an Australia in which Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have access to:
- culturally appropriate support
- greater social wellbeing
- equal employment opportunities
- improved economic outcomes.
To support this vision, we have developed our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).
The RAP outlines our commitment and dedication to the inclusion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in our services to the community, including to support their participation in the tax and superannuation systems. We are an organisation that strives to model reconciliation throughout our business and understand the importance this brings to the broader Australian community.
We also believe in employing and retaining Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff and we’ll support and promote the inclusion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander suppliers when conducting procurement. By advocating for the economic and social wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, we will experience a greater sense of participation and inclusion.
Our business
As the Australian Government’s principal revenue collection agency, the ATO administers:
- our tax system
- significant aspects of the superannuation system
- legislation governing tax and superannuation
- the Australian Business Registry Services.
The revenue we collect supports the Australian economy and provides valuable services and resources for our national community. We also contribute to the economic and social wellbeing of Australians by fostering willing participation in the tax and superannuation systems.
We work across government and with the community to better understand the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to ensure our products and services are tailored for this audience. We provide a range of tax and business information at ato.gov.au/Indigenous and offer an ATO Indigenous Helpline. The Helpline provides an avenue for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to contact us about their individual tax and superannuation enquiries.
We aim to further tailor our support products for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to make it as easy for taxpayers in these communities to understand and meet their tax and superannuation obligations.
We employ around 21,000 people, including approximately 2.9% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff across more than 20 sites nationwide. Towards 2024 we’re looking to increase the representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees, by taking action towards strengthening our workforce strategies, policies and work practices.
To complement the actions and targets in the Commonwealth Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Workforce Strategy 2020–24 (PDF, 4.5MB)This link will download a file, we aim to increase retention and employment pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the workplace through talent pipelines, improved employment opportunities and career development.
Our goals for 2024 are to:
- build trust and confidence
- be streamlined, integrated and data-driven.
To achieve this, we have 8 strategic objectives.
- We build community confidence by sustainably reducing the tax gap and providing assurance across the tax and superannuation systems.
- We design for a better tax and superannuation system to make it easy to comply and hard not to.
- Our client experience and interactions are well designed, tailored, fair and transparent.
- We work with and through others to deliver efficient and effective tax and superannuation systems.
- We are a high-performing workforce with a focus on integrity, the right culture, capability and tools to deliver the best client and staff experience.
- We use data, information, and insights to deliver value for our clients and inform decision-making across everything we do.
- Our technology and digital services deliver a reliable and contemporary client experience.
- We strive for operational excellence to achieve efficiency and quality outcomes.
Our priority over the last year has been meeting the needs of our clients and supporting them through challenging times. We continue to work with the community and our stakeholders to deliver a modern and seamless tax and superannuation experience by making things simpler, faster, and more accessible for our clients.
Would you like to learn more?
If you’d like more information about our plan and programs you can email our RAP Project team.