ATO seeks greater engagement with software developers

The Australian Taxation Office is seeking feedback on a draft strategy aimed at increasing the agency's engagement with third-party software developers.

Under the draft engagement model (PDF), the ATO will seek to increase opportunities to co-design, co-develop and co-deliver digital services.

"A stronger partnership with software industry is critical to reinventing the ATO and a move toward a thriving digital economy," the draft strategy states.

"Recent consultations highlighted issues, where the ATO provided digital solutions before first providing industry the opportunity to co-design," the document says.

"A greater trust is to be formed, where industry is confident the ATO will provide timely information to build services. Software developers feel they do not share a holistic view or vision of ATO digital plans. They are uncertain about the direction of our future digital services."

The strategy would see earlier engagement by the ATO with external software developers and other key stakeholders when it comes to the design and implementation of new services.

The ATO recently established an online hub for engaging with developers.