Applying to work with us

Steps to apply

Follow these steps to apply for the job that's right for you.

Contact officers can answer questions you may have about the recruitment process. You'll find their details in the candidate kit or job advertisement.

1. Start your application

To start an application:

1. View the Current vacanciesExternal Link and find the job you want to apply for.
2. Select Start new application under the Action heading.
3. Take note of the job closing date and allow enough time to finish your application.
4. Save your application as you progress to avoid the session timing out.

Preview your application

To preview an application form before applying:

1. Go to the vacancy you want to preview in Current vacanciesExternal Link.
2. Select Preview application form under the Action heading.

2. Upload your resume

Your resume should include:

• details of education or qualifications that relate to the job
• your work experience, including your main responsibilities and achievements, in chronological order. Start from the most recent dates you were employed
• relevant professional experience – if you mention any extracurricular activities, interests, volunteer work or community work, show how this relates to the job.

To upload your resume, select the Browse button on your application form and select the document you want to upload.

To make any changes to your resume after you upload it, you'll need to upload a new version. Uploading the new version will replace the previous one. You can't upload a revised resume once you've submitted your application.

Some mobile devices won't let you search their file system for documents like your resume. In this case, use a desktop or laptop computer instead.

There is a 5MB size limit for resume uploads.

3. Enter your written response

You may need to submit a written response that:    

• outlines your skills, knowledge, experience and attributes. This should match the role description and ‘who we're looking for’ information in our job ad and candidate information kit
• considers the work we do, the core skills we seek and any job specific skills and knowledge capabilities.

If you are asked to provide a written response, use the STAR modelExternal Link to structure your response.

We have a video on how to prepare your written response.

4. Submit your application

Make sure you're happy with the information you've entered before submitting your application. You can save and return to it later if the job hasn’t closed and you haven't submitted. Your application can't be edited once submitted.

To submit your application:

1. Select Submit application at the top of the Preview and Submit page and confirm you're ready to submit it.
2. If you can't see the submit application button at the top of the page, check you've answered all the mandatory questions and selected save and continue for each page of your application form.

You'll get an email confirming the application is submitted. If successful, the application status will change to 'submitted' on My profile.

Late applications

We'll only accept late application requests in exceptional circumstances. If you can't submit your application by the closing date, get in touch with the contact officer listed in the candidate information kit or job advertisement. You'll still need to submit your application through ATO careers.

After you apply

You can view or withdraw your submitted application after you've applied.

View your submitted application

To access applications you've previously submitted:

1. Log in to ATO careersExternal Link.
2. Go to My profile and select My applications.
3. Select the application you want to view.

Withdraw your application

If you change your mind about applying for a role after you've submitted an application, you can withdraw it at any time. To withdraw your application:

1. Log in to ATO careersExternal Link.
2. Go to My profile and select My applications.
3. Find and select the application you wish to withdraw.
4. Select the Application summary.
5. Select the Withdraw application button at the top of the application summary page.
6. Confirm your withdrawal on the next page and provide the reason why you are withdrawing.

Once you've withdrawn your application, you'll see confirmation on screen, in your history and by email.

If you start an application but don’t want to submit it, you don’t need to withdraw it. We only consider complete applications.

You can't withdraw your application and then resubmit or start another application for the same position. If you didn't mean to withdraw your application, email ATOcareers@ato.gov.auOpens in a new window

Our process

How we recruit

You may be asked to complete a range of assessments depending on the job advertised. Generally, you'll be asked to complete 2 or more of the following activities as part of a merit-based selection process:

• resume
• written response
• interview (virtual, in person, video recording, phone)
• work sample test
• online testing
• assessment centre
• referee reports

Our most common recruitment process includes a resume assessment, virtual interview and referee report.

All candidates are assessed on the same work-related qualities and capabilities so the selection panel can make a fair comparison. The selection panel considers all the information provided in the written and other assessments to make an informed assessment.

At the end of each assessment stage, we will notify you on the outcome of your application.

Adjustments

We provide reasonable adjustments to allow you to participate equitably at every stage of our recruitment process.

Adjustments you can request include, but are not limited to:

• recruitment materials in accessible and alternative formats
• clear written and visual information about the interview process
• provision of interpreters, readers, attendants or other work-related assistance
• interview via phone or video
• questions in advance of the interview to help you prepare
• additional time allowed for an interview
• opportunity to have a support person attend
• an interview environment that is inclusive for all candidates.

You can request an adjustment on the job application form or discuss with the contact officer.

Contact referees

We may contact referees to confirm our assessment of your suitability for the role.

Choose 2 referees (preferably including your current supervisor) who can comment effectively about the role requirements on your:

• skills and abilities
• experience
• work performance.

We may ask for referee reports:

• during the recruitment process
• after we contact you to find out if you're interested in a specific job.

Create a merit pool

If you are successful, you'll be placed in a merit pool with other suitable candidates. This means when a business area receives approval to fill a job, they may offer you the advertised job or a similar job in a similar location. Being placed in a merit pool does not guarantee you'll be offered a job. Merit pools are valid for up to 18 months from the advertised vacancy date.

We consider the following location groups to be similar:

• Brisbane, Upper Mount Gravatt
• Sydney, Parramatta, Penrith
• Melbourne, Box Hill, Dandenong, Moonee Ponds.

It's a common practice in the Australian Public Service (APS) to Create, use and share merit listsExternal Link across agencies, for similar vacancies. This means if you're in our merit pool, you may be contacted about a job opportunity in another agency.

Once we finalise the merit pool, we will tell you the outcome of your application.

Select the best candidate

When we have a job to fill, the vacancy manager reviews all candidates in the merit pool. They use the evidence gathered during the selection process to decide which candidates have the closest work-related qualities to the work-related qualities required to do the duties of the job they are looking to fill.

If your selected from the merit pool for a job, we'll contact you. You'll need to complete and satisfy our pre-engagement checks.

Once the approvals and checks are complete, we'll send you an email with details on how to access your letter of offer.

Application and interview tips videos

Our videos on how to prepare will help you put your best foot forward with an application or interview.

Application writing tips

Preparation tips for candidate interviews