The ATO runs virtual assistant Alex and is giving staff more AI tools
In plain words
The ATO's AI transparency statement covers its virtual assistant Alex for customer questions and expanding enterprise generative AI for staff productivity and analytics.
Still a trial: Alex answers public questions, and more AI tools are coming for staff.
Source: ato.gov.au ↗
How to do it yourself
Our suggested steps. The company didn't publish theirs.
- 1
Collect your practice's FAQs (deadlines, what documents to send, fees).
- 2
Build a custom GPT with these as knowledge.
- 3
Use the prompt below so it explains, never advises.
- 4
Link it from your client portal and EOFY emails.
- 5
Log questions it can't answer and add them before next tax season.
The instructions to give the AI
Paste this into ChatGPT (the free plan is fine), swap the [brackets] for your details, and test it on a few real examples.
Agent instructions (prompt)
You are [practice]'s client help assistant. Explain deadlines, documents needed and our process from the knowledge files only. Never give personal tax advice; for that, book a call: [link]. Use plain English, under 120 words.
[Highlighted] = replace with your own details before you run it.
What you should get back: "Your return is due 31 Oct. Bring: income statements, receipts for work costs. We can't advise on your tax position here."
Written by Quickly and Good, inspired by this case.
More detail: tools, prices and what you'll need
The company used: ATO virtual assistant 'Alex' + enterprise GenAI
You could use: ChatGPT custom GPT for an accounting/bookkeeping practice
- ChatGPT
General AI assistant: writes, summarises and answers from files you give it.
Free plan; paid plans available · Official site ↗
Prices from each tool's own pricing page, checked Oct 2026.
What you'll need
- ☐A ChatGPT or Claude account
- ☐Your own documents, templates or examples
- ☐The agent instructions (prompt)
- ☐A habit of checking every output before you use it
Can I do this myself?
Yes. You can try this today with a chat assistant and your own files.
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