What we will do
We support opportunities through our efforts to be an employer of choice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and a leader in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander procurement. By enhancing opportunities for participation by our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff, we ensure their knowledge and perspectives are valued throughout our decision-making processes.
We recognise our crucial role in giving opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander suppliers to improve economic outcomes.
We support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses by giving tailored education opportunities to encourage participation in the tax, superannuation and registry systems.
We continue to expand our Tax Help volunteers program in regional and remote areas. We do this by working with trusted partners in communities to establish programs, and provide tailored tax, superannuation and registry education and support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
The dimensions of reconciliation / Closing the Gap we refer to in the actions below are Reconciliation Australia's dimensions of reconciliation, and Closing the Gap's priority reforms and socio-economic targets.
Action 9 – improve employment outcomes
Deliverable | Timeline | Responsibility | Dimensions of Reconciliation / Closing the Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
9.1 Review and update group workforce strategies to embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander recruitment, retention and professional development strategies, with input from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander HR advisers | October, annually | Deputy Commissioner, ATO People | Equality and equity Institutional integrity Priority reform 3 Socio-economic target 7 Socio-economic target 8 |
9.2 Support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees through leadership pathways | October, annually | Deputy Commissioner, ATO People | Equality and equity Institutional integrity Priority reform 3 Socio-economic target 7 Socio-economic target 8 |
9.3 Review HR and recruitment procedures and policies to remove barriers to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation in our workplace | December, annually | Deputy Commissioner, ATO People | Equality and equity Institutional integrity Priority reform 3 Socio-economic target 7 Socio-economic target 8 |
9.4 Advertise job vacancies to effectively attract Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates | January, annually | Deputy Commissioner, ATO People | Equality and equity Institutional integrity Priority reform 3 Socio-economic target 7 Socio-economic target 8 |
9.5 Increase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employee representation, (e.g. through affirmative measures recruitment processes): 2023/24 APS 4–6 3.5% EL1–2 2.0% SES 1.5% 2024/25 APS 4–6 4% EL1–2 2.5% SES 2.0% 2025/26 APS 4–6 4.5% EL1–2 3.0% SES 2.5% 2026/27 APS 4-6 5% EL1-2 3.5% SES 3% | June, annually | Group Heads, supported by Deputy Commissioner, ATO People | Equality and equity Institutional integrity Priority reform 3 Socio-economic target 7 Socio-economic target 8 |
9.6 Establish a minimum of 2 partnerships with the tertiary sector, commonwealth, state or territory governments or non-government organisations to attract and recruit Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people | June, annually | Deputy Commissioner, ATO People | Equality and equity Institutional integrity Priority reform 3 Socio-economic target 6 Socio-economic target 7 Socio-economic target 8 |
9.7 Provide opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff to participate in tertiary education, including the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) and External Learning Event Application Form (eLEAF) | August, annually | Deputy Commissioner, ATO People | Equality and equity Institutional integrity Priority reform 3 Socio-economic target 6 |
9.8 Provide improved resources and training to managers to support study leave for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff | August, annually | Deputy Commissioner, ATO People | Equality and equity Institutional integrity Priority reform 3 Socio-economic target 6 |
9.9 Actively promote Indigenous Liaison Officers (ILO); a national cultural advocacy, support and advice service | July, annually | Deputy Commissioner, ATO People | Equality and equity Institutional integrity Priority reform 3 |
9.10 Design and deliver a series of professional development events, virtual and face-to-face, to support the skills and career progression of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees | October 2024, then quarterly | Deputy Commissioner, ATO People | Equality and equity Institutional integrity Priority reform 3 Socio-economic target 7 Socio-economic target 8 |
9.11 Design and deliver a series of networking opportunities, virtual and face-to-face, to support the engagement and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees | October 2024, then quarterly | Deputy Commissioner, ATO People | Equality and equity Institutional integrity Priority reform 3 Socio-economic target 7 Socio-economic target 8 |
Action 10 – increase supplier diversity
Deliverable | Timeline | Responsibility | Dimensions of Reconciliation / Closing the Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
10.1 Review and maintain a Supplier Diversity Strategy to remove barriers in procuring goods and services from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses | June, annually | Chief Finance Officer | Equality and equity Institutional integrity Priority reform 3 Socio-economic target 7 Socio-economic target 8 |
10.2 Maintain corporate membership and grow the relationship with Supply Nation to support improvements in procurement practices | June, annually | Chief Finance Officer | Equality and equity Institutional integrity Priority reform 3 Socio-economic target 7 Socio-economic target 8 |
10.3 Develop targeted internal communications to build awareness and promote the benefits of engaging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses, including through participation in Supplier Diversity September | September, annually | Chief Finance Officer | Equality and equity Institutional integrity Priority reform 3 Socio-economic target 7 Socio-economic target 8 |
10.4 Ensure internal procurement policies and procedures continue to highlight the benefits of procuring with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses | June, annually | Chief Finance Officer | Equality and equity Institutional integrity Priority reform 3 Socio-economic target 7 Socio-economic target 8 |
10.5 Maintain commercial relationships with 40 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander businesses | June, annually | Chief Finance Officer | Equality and equity Institutional integrity Priority reform 3 Socio-economic target 7 Socio-economic target 8 |
10.6 Continue to contribute to the Treasury Portfolio’s achievement of the 3% Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander procurement targets, as set out in the Indigenous Procurement Policy | June, annually | Chief Finance Officer | Equality and equity Institutional integrity Priority reform 3 Socio-economic target 7 Socio-economic target 8 |
10.7 Train all relevant staff in contracting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses through Supply Nation or an equivalent organisation | June, annually | Chief Finance Officer | Race relations Equality and equity Institutional integrity Priority reform 3 Socio-economic target 7 Socio-economic target 8 |
10.8 Actively encourage our suppliers to sub-contract with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses and maintain existing relationships by: working with select suppliers to set up their own Indigenous Participation Plans biannually requesting suppliers report on their use of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander subcontractors applying the Mandatory Minimum Indigenous Participation Requirements (MMRs) to contracts over a certain value | June, annually | Chief Finance Officer | Equality and equity Institutional integrity Priority reform 3 Socio-economic target 7 Socio-economic target 8 |
Action 11 – tailor services
Deliverable | Timeline | Responsibility | Dimensions of Reconciliation / Closing the Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
11.1 Develop and deliver at least 10 virtual tailored community education sessions to inform and support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ participation in the tax, superannuation and registry systems | June, annually | Deputy Commissioner, Individuals and Intermediaries Deputy Commissioner, Small Business Deputy Commissioner, Superannuation and Employer Obligations | Equality and equity Institutional integrity Priority reform 3 Socio-economic target 17 |
11.2 Contribute to at least 10 community events annually, to provide education and assistance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients on tax, superannuation and registry matters | June, annually | Deputy Commissioner, Individuals and Intermediaries Deputy Commissioner, Small Business Deputy Commissioner, Superannuation and Employer Obligations | Equality and equity Institutional integrity Priority reform 1 Priority reform 2 Priority reform 3 Socio-economic target 17 |
11.3 Train volunteers for Tax Help Centres and administer the National Tax Clinic Program, with centres and clinics providing free tax assistance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients among other groups | July – October, annually | Deputy Commissioner, Individuals and Intermediaries Deputy Commissioner, Objections and Review | Equality and equity Institutional integrity Priority reform 1 Priority reform 2 Priority reform 3 Socio-economic target 17 |
11.4 Collaborate with the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations (ORIC) and Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) to inform and improve support programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander not-for-profit organisations | December, annually | Deputy Commissioner, Small Business | Equality and equity Institutional integrity Priority reform 3 |
11.5 Maintain a position for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives on the: Not-for-profit Stewardship Group Individuals Stewardship Group Small Business Stewardship Group | June, annually | Deputy Commissioner, Individuals and Intermediaries Deputy Commissioner, Small Business | Equality and equity Institutional integrity Priority reform 1 Priority reform 3 |
11.6 Seek opportunities to work with Services Australia to visit regional and remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to provide tax and superannuation advice | October, annually | Deputy Commissioner, Superannuation and Employer Obligations Deputy Commissioner, Individuals and Intermediaries | Equality and equity Institutional integrity Priority reform 1 Priority reform 3 Socio-economic target 17 |
11.7 Progress Framework for Governance of Indigenous Data | December 2025 | Deputy Commissioner, Smarter Data | Equality and equity Institutional integrity Priority reform 3 Socio-economic target 17 |
11.8 Review Indigenous Helpline telephony services | June, annually | Deputy Commissioner, Client Account Services | Race relations Equality and equity Institutional integrity Priority reform 3 |