ATO School Leaver Program

Why choose us

If you're a 2022 or going to be a 2023 Year 12 graduate, the ATO School Leaver Program can kick-start your career. You'll receive:

• a competitive salary
• practical hands-on work experience
• formal training, including a Certificate III qualification in IT or business.

Join us and experience a wide range of opportunities throughout your career. At the ATO, you'll do work that matters. Be part of an organisation that:

• combats crime and fraud
• administers programs to support the community
• protects the data of millions of people.

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

About the program

The entry-level position gives you:

• a competitive starting salary package of $60,673 ($52,506 plus 15.4% super)
• full-time work in a 12-month program with practical, hands-on work experience
• formal training, including a Certificate III qualification in IT or business
• professional development and networking opportunities
• a permanent, full-time job with us on successful completion of the program and opportunity for advancement to APS 2, with a salary package of $68,609 ($59,374 plus 15.4% super)
• a supportive team environment
• an inclusive and diverse workplace culture.

Who can apply

To be eligible for the program, you must:

• have completed Year 12 in 2022 or will complete Year 12 in 2023
• be an Australian citizen
• clear our pre-engagement integrity check.

Submit your application through our online recruitment systemExternal Link by the due date. Applications for the 2024 program are now closed.

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

Your role may include:

• Administration officer
• Client engagement officer
• Information Technology officer
• Data 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.

Data Officer

A data officer may:

• contribute to the design, build, and maintenance of data solutions using  
  • design patterns
  • programming languages
  • version control and analytics tools
   
• assist with data management, governance and reporting
• provide support to data projects and programs
• work with internal stakeholders to understand business needs.

Training and support

We provide:

• structured on-the-job professional training and work experience
• support from  
  • a work placement team leader
  • learning and development trainers
  • a dedicated Career Development Manager
   
• certificate qualification upon completion of the program.

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 entrylevelprograms@ato.gov.au.

Indigenous affirmative measures

Indigenous affirmative measures and RecruitAbilityExternal Link apply to the School Leaver Program.

You can apply for this program through the Indigenous affirmative measures process by selecting the Indigenous affirmative measures application on the ATO school leaver career page.

You will be required to provide written evidence that you

• are of Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander heritage
• identify as an Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
• are accepted as an Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander in the community that you live or have lived
• be an Australian citizen (section 22 of the Public Service Act 1999 requires APS employees to be Australian citizens).

To support your application, you will need to provide your confirmation of heritage to us in 6 weeks of the application closing date.

Disability affirmative measure

We encourage people with disability to apply to our School Leaver Program.

Meaning of disability

Persons are considered to have a disability if they have a limitation, restriction or impairment which has lasted, or is likely to last, for at least 6 months and restricts their everyday activities. This also includes episodic conditions if they are likely to recur.

For more information, see the Australian Public Service Commission definition of disabilityExternal Link.

You can apply for this program through the disability affirmative measures process by selecting the disability affirmative measures application on the ATO school leaver career page.

Find out more at APSC Disability affirmative measure – a guide for applicantsExternal Link.

Information about the ATO School Leaver Program and how to apply. Applications are now closed.