ATO Officer vs APS Entry Level (APS 1-4): which career suits you?
ATO jobs are APS jobs: the same APS Values, Code of Conduct, merit-based selection and pitch-style applications apply. The ATO recruits at volume for client service, compliance and processing roles, often with online assessments and recruitment rounds that build merit lists for many vacancies. General APS entry-level roles span every agency. If you like numbers, rules and helping the public with tax and super, target ATO rounds; otherwise keep an eye on APS Jobs for entry-level roles across agencies.
ATO Officer vs APS Entry Level (APS 1-4) at a glance
| ATO Officer | APS Entry Level (APS 1-4) | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Australian Taxation Office (ATO) Officer: Client Engagement, Graduate and School Leaver Entry | APS Entry-Level Jobs (APS 1 to APS 4) and the Career Starter Program |
| Questions | Varies by job. The ATO says you will generally complete 3 or more of: resume, written response, interview, work sample test, online testing, assessment centre and referee reports; its most common process is a resume assessment, virtual interview and referee report. Question counts for online tests are not published | Varies by agency and job. The APSC says shortlisting may use video interviews, multiple-choice questions or psychometric tests, and later stages may add a work sample test. The Career Starter Program uses a video interview and a group assessment. Question counts are not published |
| Time | Not published. Graduate online assessments ran in late April 2026 and the online assessment centre in May and June 2026 | Not published; set by each agency for each recruitment round |
| Passing score | No published pass mark. You must perform well at each stage to progress; suitable candidates enter a merit pool (not ranked for the graduate program) that is valid for up to 18 months | No published pass mark. Panels rate you on merit against the job's requirements; suitable candidates can be placed on a merit list that the agency (and other agencies) can use for 18 months from the Gazette date |
| Format | Online assessments are unsupervised. The ATO publishes guidelines on when AI tools may and may not be used in its recruitment; read them before you write a response or sit a test | Online tests and recorded interviews are unsupervised. You may take a copy of your application and notes into an interview, and the APSC says it is fine to take time to think or ask the panel to rephrase a question. Read each agency's rules on AI use |
| Cost | No fee to apply or to sit any assessment | No fee to apply or to sit any assessment |
| Languages | English | English |
| Where | Online application on ATO Careers. Depending on the job: resume assessment, written response, online testing, work sample test, video recording or virtual interview, assessment centre and referee reports. Graduate applicants sit online skills assessments and an online assessment centre with an interview | Online application on APSJobs or the agency's careers portal. Shortlisting may use online multiple-choice or psychometric tests or recorded video interviews taken at home; interviews are virtual, by phone or in person; some bulk rounds use an assessment centre |
| Level | Australian Public Service | Australian Public Service |
What each exam covers
ATO Officer
- The Job and Eligibility
- Online Skills Tests: Reading and Reasoning
- Online Skills Tests: Numeracy and Tax Data
- Tailored Resume and Written Response
- Integrity Checks, Secrecy and Security
- Interview, Assessment Centre and ATO Core Skills
- Application Strategy and Timeline
- Training and Career Path at the ATO
APS Entry Level (APS 1-4)
- The Job and Eligibility
- Online Tests: Reading and Written Communication
- Online Tests: Numeracy and Data
- Situational Judgement and Client Service
- Pre-employment Checks and Security Clearance
- Interview and APS Values
- Application, Pitch and Selection Criteria
- Starting in the APS
Which should you take?
ATO jobs are APS jobs: the same APS Values, Code of Conduct, merit-based selection and pitch-style applications apply. The ATO recruits at volume for client service, compliance and processing roles, often with online assessments and recruitment rounds that build merit lists for many vacancies. General APS entry-level roles span every agency. If you like numbers, rules and helping the public with tax and super, target ATO rounds; otherwise keep an eye on APS Jobs for entry-level roles across agencies.
Try both, free
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FAQ
What is the difference between ATO Officer and APS Entry Level (APS 1-4)?
ATO jobs are APS jobs: the same APS Values, Code of Conduct, merit-based selection and pitch-style applications apply. The ATO recruits at volume for client service, compliance and processing roles, often with online assessments and recruitment rounds that build merit lists for many vacancies. General APS entry-level roles span every agency. If you like numbers, rules and helping the public with tax and super, target ATO rounds; otherwise keep an eye on APS Jobs for entry-level roles across agencies.
Which is harder, ATO Officer or APS Entry Level (APS 1-4)?
ATO Officer: varies by job. the ato says you will generally complete 3 or more of: resume, written response, interview, work sample test, online testing, assessment centre and referee reports; its most common process is a resume assessment, virtual interview and referee report. question counts for online tests are not published in not published. graduate online assessments ran in late april 2026 and the online assessment centre in may and june 2026. APS Entry Level (APS 1-4): varies by agency and job. the apsc says shortlisting may use video interviews, multiple-choice questions or psychometric tests, and later stages may add a work sample test. the career starter program uses a video interview and a group assessment. question counts are not published in not published; set by each agency for each recruitment round. The longer exam covers more ground, but the harder one is the one further from your daily work. Take both free practice tests to see where you stand.
Can I hold both ATO Officer and APS Entry Level (APS 1-4)?
You can usually apply to more than one agency at the same time, and many candidates do. You can only work in one full-time role at once, though, and each agency runs its own tests, checks and merit list, so plan your preparation around the test you'll sit first.
How do I prepare for ATO Officer and APS Entry Level (APS 1-4)?
Start with the free practice test for each, then study by topic. Premium is per exam (A$89 a month each), so most people start with the exam they'll sit first and add the second when they're ready.
More comparisons
Exam details are summarized from the recruiting agency's published information as of November 2026. Confirm with the recruiting agency before you book. AusGovCareer is an independent career-prep service, not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency.