ATO Group Interview: Questions & How to Pass
Government · Updated 2026 · Interview Buddy team
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) runs assessment centres for its graduate program that include a group exercise — a team discussion or task assessed against the APS Values and the ATO's capabilities. Because it's public-sector recruitment, integrity, fairness and working respectfully with others carry real weight.
This is a structured APS assessment, not a retail group interview. This guide covers what the ATO group exercise looks like, what assessors score against the APS framework, and how to contribute so you stand out for the right reasons.
What a ATO group interview looks like
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You work in a small group on a scenario or task within a set time while assessors observe each candidate.
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You're scored individually against the APS Values (impartial, committed to service, accountable, respectful, ethical) and the ATO's capabilities.
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Assessors look for collaboration, respectful communication, listening and sound, fair reasoning.
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Integrity and inclusive behaviour are weighted — the APS hires on merit and values how you treat others.
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There's usually an individual interview and other exercises on the same assessment day.
Questions to prepare
1.
Why do you want to work at the ATO and in the public service?
2.
How do you contribute to a team working toward a shared goal?
3.
Tell us about a time you worked respectfully with people who held different views.
4.
How would you handle a teammate dominating a group discussion?
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Describe a time you had to be fair and impartial in a decision.
6.
How do you make sure everyone in a team is heard?
7.
Tell us about a time you followed an important rule or process even when it was inconvenient.
8.
What do the APS Values mean to you?
How to stand out
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Map your behaviour to the APS Values — impartial, respectful, ethical, committed to service — assessors score against them explicitly.
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Collaborate and include others; respectful teamwork is central to APS assessment.
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Show fair, balanced reasoning rather than pushing a single view hard.
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Reference integrity and doing the right thing naturally — it's core to the ATO.
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Research the ATO and the APS so your 'why public service' answer is specific.
Frequently asked questions
What is the ATO group exercise like?
Part of the graduate assessment centre: a small group works through a scenario or task within a time limit while assessors score each candidate individually against the APS Values and the ATO’s capabilities.
What do ATO assessors look for in the group task?
Collaboration, respectful communication, listening and inclusion, fair and balanced reasoning, and integrity — all mapped to the APS Values. Merit and how you treat others both count.
How should I prepare for an ATO assessment centre?
Learn the APS Values, practise contributing to and including others in group discussions, prepare STAR examples of respectful teamwork and fair decisions, and research the ATO and public service.
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