What does a Risk and Intelligence Officer – APS 4 at the ATO actually do day to day?

Is anyone currently in the department, or know someone in the role, who could share some real-life insight?

What’s the work actually like, and how’s the team/work environment in NSW?

After my interview and reference checks, I have been placed in the merit pool. I understand, the merit pools most likely won't mean much. However, after working at the APS for the past nearly 9 years climbing my way up and obtaining non-ongoing roles my current job is ending soon and no possibility for an extension.

I was wondering if anyone is in a similar position having worked for the APS and if so, what strategies they've been implementing outside of keep applying for more jobs?

Hi everyone, I've been in the APS as a Career Starter for just under 7 months, and I've been slightly worried about how taking sick leave may impact my ability to stay in the APS.

So far, I've taken about 8 days of sick leave, however I've been told by others that this may impact my ability to progress from the Career Starter program. On the other hand my supervisor's have told me to stay home when sick, so not sure what the play is.

Should I just come in with a mask? Or would taking sick leave when necessary not be an issue realistically? I've inquired about WFH when only slightly sick, however was told that this isn't allowed in my department.

EDIT: Thank you to everyone for the advice! This has reassured me to take sick leave when necessary, however I'll also try to work out alternative WFH arrangements if possible.

Hi folks

Got short-listed for an interview. Anyone could guide what next steps from here could look like?

How many more interviews expected?

What type of questions are expected to be asked?

Any guidance from here will be highly appreciated.

Thanks.

Hi guys,

I interviewed for a government job a couple months ago. Completed references and got notified that the recruitment process is taking a while due to their internal processes. It’s been over a couple of months now and I’m interested in looking for other roles as I want to leave my current role.

If I apply for another department, can they see that I’m in the pipeline with another one and would that hurt my chances. What exactly can they see, if you can shed some light.

Thanks !

I’m about three months pregnant, and my contract ends at EOFY 26/27. I meet the qualifying period and will fortunately be able to take 14 weeks’ leave before the end of my contract (March–June). Are there instances where a contract has been extended so I can take this leave at half pay instead? Or will this not be entertained at all?

I’m also worried they might not extend my contract beyond that point, given how close my parental leave is to the EOFY date.

Thank you

I see a lot of doom and gloom around how being placed in a Merit Pool isn't exactly great since it means you were eligible for the job but there was someone better and now you're just sitting in this pool twiddling your thumbs hoping they need your merit pool.

But i'm curious whether being placed in a merit pool for a graduate program is meaningfully different from merit pools for direct applications or bulk recruitment rounds and how?

Hi All,

I have 5 years of IT experience which included leadership duties and training as well as hands on engineer role who has dealt escalations in a national level private company. I was made redundant last year and after taking some time off due to family commitments and now returning back to work and since last 3 months I have been applying APS6 and VPS5 roles. I have given 3 interviews and so far haven't been able to receive any offer.

- I am now planning to apply for temporary contract roles or try to get Govt contract roles through agencies, is that a wise choice in long term or should I stick to applying APS or VPS roles? Any recommended agencies?

- I am not applying anywhere else except APS and VPS careers, is there any other place I should be looking for more job openings?

- Any tips or information that can be helpful in setting my expectations better?

so I applied for another role in my agent last year and was found suitable in the merit pool in March 2025. the 18 month time period would have passed (job advertised in December 2024). But I am thinking of using the merit list to negotiate a promotion from APS5 to APS6 as now my team has seen a few people leaving and are hiring 6 (plucking people who was merit listed from merit pool). The merit pool was for a APS6 position in another department in my current agency.

good bargaining tool? Or should I wait for bulk round for APS6?