Document Controller Salary
Australia’s most comprehensive Federal Government Document Controller & Information Governance Salary Guide. Built strictly from official Commonwealth Enterprise Agreements, APSC workforce statistics, and ATO tax parameters.
⚠️ Important Classification Notice
Document Controller is an operational job title rather than a standardized APS classification level.
Within the Australian Public Service, Document Controller, Records Management, and Information Governance responsibilities are performed by employees at APS4, APS5, and APS6 levels, with specialist leadership roles classified at Executive Level 1 (EL1).
Salary therefore depends directly on the employing agency, your designated APS classification level, and the active Enterprise Agreement.
Salary Snapshot
Official pay parameters for Document Controllers and Information Management staff in the Australian Public Service (verified for the 2025–26 & 2026–27 financial years).
Interactive Salary Calculator
Calculate your exact gross pay, ATO Stage 3 tax, Medicare levy, HELP repayments, 15.4% superannuation, and net fortnightly take-home pay across 14 Commonwealth agencies.
Document Controller Calculator Parameters
APS Classification Level Guide
Official mapping of Document Controller job titles to formal APS classification levels, pay ranges, and operational scope. Click a level below to inspect detailed focus areas and primary software.
Senior Document Controller / Info Governance Officer
Project Document Control & EDMS Workflows
Objective ECM, Microsoft Purview Compliance, Aconex
Develop team leadership skills and gain experience implementing National Archives Records Authorities to target APS6 Manager positions.
| APS Level | Typical Job Title | Official EA Pay Range | Core Responsibilities |
|---|---|---|---|
| APS 4 | Document Controller / Records Officer | $77,865 – $91,400 | Registers physical and electronic records, tags metadata in EDMS, assists staff with document searches, processes routine records access requests, and executes approved disposal schedules. |
| APS 5 | Senior Document Controller / Info Governance Officer | $88,085 – $103,000 | Coordinates project document control, manages EDMS permission architecture, conducts records compliance audits, drafts standard operating procedures, and trains staff on National Archives standards. |
| APS 6 | Records & Information Manager | $100,190 – $124,600 | Leads agency records management teams, implements Records Authorities, manages system migrations to SharePoint/Content Manager, enforces Information Security (PSPF) controls, and prepares executive reports. |
| EL 1 | Information Management Manager / Governance Lead | $121,190 – $151,000 | Drives enterprise information strategy, oversees NAA Digital Continuity 2030 compliance, directs document control across multi-billion-dollar infrastructure or defence acquisitions, and advises senior executive leaders. |
Agency Salary Comparison (14 Agencies)
Compare Document Controller pay scales across major Commonwealth departments and agencies. All figures reflect verified Enterprise Agreements including July 2026 wage increases.
| Agency | APS4 Range | APS5 Range | APS6 Range | EL1 Range | Enterprise Agreement | Effective Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Defence | $81,868 – $88,900 | $91,085 – $100,400 | $103,190 – $121,780 | $124,800 – $147,000 | Defence Enterprise Collective Agreement (DECA) 2024–2027 | 12 March 2026 |
| Department of Home Affairs | $78,900 – $87,900 | $88,900 – $97,900 | $101,900 – $119,900 | $122,500 – $144,500 | Home Affairs Enterprise Agreement 2024–2027 | 1 July 2026 |
| Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Dev, Communications & Arts | $79,900 – $86,900 | $89,900 – $98,900 | $101,900 – $119,900 | $123,200 – $145,000 | Infrastructure Enterprise Agreement 2024–2027 | 1 July 2026 |
| Department of Finance | $81,900 – $88,900 | $91,900 – $100,900 | $103,900 – $121,900 | $125,900 – $147,900 | Department of Finance Enterprise Agreement 2024–2027 | 1 July 2026 |
| Department of the Treasury | $82,500 – $89,500 | $92,500 – $101,500 | $104,500 – $122,500 | $126,500 – $148,500 | Treasury Enterprise Agreement 2024–2027 | 1 July 2026 |
| Department of Health and Aged Care | $79,800 – $86,900 | $89,600 – $98,600 | $101,600 – $119,600 | $123,000 – $145,000 | Health Enterprise Agreement 2024–2027 | 1 July 2026 |
| Department of Education | $78,500 – $85,500 | $88,500 – $97,500 | $100,500 – $118,500 | $121,500 – $143,500 | Education Enterprise Agreement 2024–2027 | 1 July 2026 |
| Services Australia | $77,865 – $86,500 | $88,085 – $97,400 | $100,190 – $118,780 | $121,190 – $143,190 | Services Australia Enterprise Agreement 2024–2027 | 1 July 2026 |
| Australian Taxation Office (ATO) | $79,865 – $87,500 | $89,085 – $98,400 | $101,190 – $119,780 | $123,190 – $145,190 | ATO Enterprise Agreement 2024–2027 | 1 July 2026 |
| Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C) | $83,500 – $90,500 | $93,500 – $102,500 | $105,500 – $123,500 | $127,500 – $149,500 | PM&C Enterprise Agreement 2024–2027 | 1 July 2026 |
| Attorney-General’s Department | $80,500 – $87,500 | $90,500 – $99,500 | $102,500 – $120,500 | $124,000 – $146,000 | AGD Enterprise Agreement 2024–2027 | 1 July 2026 |
| Australian Border Force (Home Affairs) | $79,500 – $88,500 | $89,500 – $98,500 | $102,500 – $120,500 | $123,500 – $145,500 | Home Affairs & ABF Enterprise Agreement 2024–2027 | 1 July 2026 |
| CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation) | $83,000 – $91,400 | $93,200 – $103,000 | $105,800 – $124,600 | $128,200 – $151,000 | CSIRO Enterprise Agreement 2024–2027 | 1 July 2026 |
| Geoscience Australia | $81,200 – $89,200 | $91,400 – $100,800 | $103,800 – $121,800 | $125,600 – $147,600 | Geoscience Australia Enterprise Agreement 2024–2027 | 1 July 2026 |
Salary Breakdown & Net Take-Home Scenarios
Interactive annual breakdown of gross earnings, ATO Stage 3 income tax, Medicare levy, 15.4% superannuation, and net take-home pay. Select a salary level scenario below:
Scenario Calculation: $95,000 Gross Annual Salary
Enterprise Agreement Wage Growth Schedule
Under the APS-wide bargaining framework (2024–2027), Document Controllers benefit from guaranteed annual compound salary increases across all federal agencies.
Core Responsibilities & Duties
Document Controller responsibilities in government align closely with statutory recordkeeping regulations, metadata governance, and EDRMS administration.
1. Document Registration & Control
−Assigning unique identifiers, maintaining master document registers, verifying metadata accuracy, and controlling document distribution across project workflows.
2. Records Management Compliance
+3. EDMS Administration
+4. Information Governance
+5. Version Control & Transmittals
+6. Compliance Monitoring & Auditing
+7. Metadata & Taxonomy Management
+8. Archiving & Sentencing
+9. Security Classification Handling
+10. Audit & FOI Support
+Required Skills & Capabilities
Essential technical competencies, soft skills, and public sector capabilities required for APS Document Controllers.
Records Management
Expertise in public sector recordkeeping lifecycle, Archives Act rules, and National Archives of Australia guidelines.
Information Governance
Understanding of information asset registers, data sovereignty, privacy legislation, and corporate governance.
Microsoft 365 & SharePoint
Proficiency in SharePoint Online, Microsoft Teams integration, Purview compliance, and OneDrive administration.
Objective ECM
Hands-on experience in Objective ECM search, workflow routing, record sentencing, and security mapping.
Content Manager (TRIM)
Knowledge of Micro Focus Content Manager / TRIM registry structure, file creation, and container management.
Attention to Detail
Meticulous verification of document numbers, revision letters, metadata fields, and distribution lists.
Compliance & Auditing
Ability to evaluate recordkeeping practices against ISO 15489 standards and internal agency policy.
Stakeholder Communication
Effective written and verbal communication for training agency staff and liaising with external contractors.
Digital Continuity
Experience converting legacy paper archives to digital formats and maintaining long-term digital preservation.
Problem Solving
Capability to resolve file duplication, broken transmittals, taxonomy confusion, and system access issues.
Government Systems & Standards
Key EDRMS software platforms, National Archives standards, and security frameworks utilized across Commonwealth departments.
SharePoint Online
Enterprise cloud document collaboration, team sites, library metadata schemas, and Microsoft Purview compliance retention labels.
Objective ECM
Tier-1 Commonwealth Electronic Document & Records Management System (EDRMS) used heavily in Defence, Infrastructure, and Home Affairs.
Content Manager (TRIM)
Micro Focus Content Manager (formerly TRIM), the standard EDRMS across central government agencies for official recordkeeping.
Records Authorities (RAs)
Legal instruments issued by National Archives specifying minimum retention periods and disposal actions for agency records.
Digital Continuity 2030
Commonwealth policy mandating fully digital recordkeeping, interoperable data standards, and paperless administrative processes.
PSPF & ISM Security
Protective Security Policy Framework and Information Security Manual rules governing document classification and access security.
Enterprise Benefits & Leave Entitlements
Australian Public Service employees enjoy industry-leading workplace conditions and leave benefits guaranteed under Enterprise Agreements.
15.4% Employer Super
Commonwealth standard superannuation paid into PSSap or your chosen fund, far exceeding the 11.5% statutory minimum.
4 Weeks Annual Leave
20 working days paid annual leave per year, with options to purchase up to 4 additional weeks of leave.
Personal / Carer’s Leave
18 to 20 days paid personal/sick/carer leave per year, accumulating fully from day one of employment.
Long Service Leave
3 months paid long service leave after 10 years of service, fully portable between Commonwealth agencies.
Purchased Extra Leave
Ability to purchase 1 to 4 additional weeks of leave per year through small fortnightly salary deductions.
Flexible Working Hours
Flex-time arrangements for APS1–APS6 staff, allowing hours worked over 37.5/week to be taken as paid time off.
Hybrid Work Options
Enforceable rights to request working from home (2 to 3 days/week) supported by standard agency EAs.
Salary Packaging
Pre-tax packaging options for novated leases, laptops, professional memberships, and superannuation.
Learning & Development
Financial support and study leave for Cert IV, Diploma, or Master of Information Management qualifications.
Employee Assistance (EAP)
Free, confidential professional counselling and wellbeing coaching for employees and immediate family.
Working Conditions & Flexibility
Standard working arrangements, hybrid WFH flexibility, security clearances, and performance evaluation frameworks.
Career Progression Pathway
A structured career pathway from entry-level administrative support to executive leadership in information governance.
Administrative Assistant
Entry-level support, performing mail processing, filing, basic data entry, and responding to general office enquiries.
Document Controller
Core document registration, metadata tagging, managing transmittals, and assisting team members with EDMS searches.
Senior Document Controller
Managing project document control workflows, conducting records audits, configuring metadata schemas, and training staff.
Records & Information Manager
Leading agency information management teams, implementing Records Authorities, and managing system migrations.
Information Management Manager
Directing enterprise information governance, leading Digital Continuity strategies, and managing major program document architecture.
Director, Information & Data Governance
Executive leadership of agency-wide information assets, advisory to Executive Director / SES, and statutory compliance accountability.
Current Vacancies & APS Recruitment Guide
How to find Document Controller job opportunities and successfully address APS selection criteria.
Applying via APS Jobs (apsjobs.gov.au)
All permanent and specified-term vacancies in the Australian Public Service are advertised on the official APS Jobs portal. Search under categories such as Information Management, Records Management, Corporate Support, or Project Governance.
Structuring Selection Criteria Responses (STAR Method)
APS selection panels evaluate applicants using the STAR method against the Integrated Leadership System (ILS):
- Situation: Describe the background or context of a specific records project.
- Task: Explain what you were personally required to achieve.
- Action: Detail the specific actions you took (e.g. metadata schema design, EDMS user training).
- Result: Provide measurable outcomes (e.g. 100% compliance audit pass, zero lost drawings).
Related Administrative Guides & Calculators
Explore other guides and calculators in the Federal Administrative cluster.
Business Support Officer Salary Guide
APS3–APS6 pay scales, duties, and calculators.
Executive Assistant Salary Guide
APS4–APS6 EA pay scales and SES support pathways.
Office Manager Salary Guide
APS5–APS6 Office Manager salaries and conditions.
Receptionist Salary Guide
APS2–APS3 entry-level administrative pay scales.
APS Classification Levels 1–6
Complete pay scales across all APS levels.
Personal Assistant Salary Guide
APS3–APS5 Personal Assistant salaries and benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions (45)
Comprehensive answers addressing Document Controller salaries, APS levels, EDMS software, security clearances, WFH rules, superannuation, and career progression.
Q1: What is a Document Controller in the Australian Public Service?
+Q2: What is the average Document Controller salary in the Australian Federal Government?
+Q3: Is Document Controller an official APS classification level?
+Q4: Which APS level is a Document Controller mapped to?
+Q5: How much superannuation do APS Document Controllers receive?
+Q6: Which federal department pays the highest Document Controller salary?
+Q7: What software programs do APS Document Controllers use daily?
+Q8: Do I need a security clearance to work as an APS Document Controller?
+Q9: Can Document Controllers in the APS work from home (WFH)?
+Q10: What is the take-home pay for an APS4 Document Controller?
+Q11: What is the take-home pay for an APS5 Senior Document Controller?
+Q12: What is the take-home pay for an APS6 Records Manager?
+Q13: What is the difference between a Document Controller and a Records Manager?
+Q14: What qualifications are required to become an APS Document Controller?
+Q15: What is the National Archives of Australia (NAA) Digital Continuity policy?
+Q16: How does HELP/HECS debt affect Document Controller take-home pay?
+Q17: What are flex-time arrangements for APS Document Controllers?
+Q18: What is the salary range for an EL1 Information Management Manager?
+Q19: Are Document Controller salaries in the government higher than private sector?
+Q20: What is a document transmittal in government projects?
+Q21: What is a General Records Schedule (GRS)?
+Q22: How do annual pay increments work for APS Document Controllers?
+Q23: What are the current Enterprise Agreement pay increases for federal staff?
+Q24: What is the role of Objective ECM in federal document control?
+Q25: What is Micro Focus Content Manager (TRIM)?
+Q26: How does Protective Security Policy Framework (PSPF) apply to Document Controllers?
+Q27: Can an APS Document Controller transition into a Cyber Security or Data Governance role?
+Q28: What is Freedom of Information (FOI) document searching?
+Q29: What leave entitlements do APS Document Controllers receive?
+Q30: Can Document Controllers purchase additional annual leave?
+Q31: How does salary packaging work for APS Document Controllers?
+Q32: What is the probation period for new APS Document Controllers?
+Q33: What is the APS Code of Conduct?
+Q34: Are Document Controller jobs located in Canberra or nationwide?
+Q35: What is a Business Classification Scheme (BCS)?
+Q36: How do selection criteria work when applying for APS Document Controller jobs?
+Q37: Is overtime paid to APS Document Controllers?
+Q38: What is an Information Asset Register (IAR)?
+Q39: How do long service leave porting work between government agencies?
+Q40: What is a metadata schema in government records?
+Q41: What is the role of Document Controllers in major infrastructure projects?
+Q42: What is the Employee Assistance Program (EAP)?
+Q43: How do Document Controllers assist with Royal Commissions and ANAO audits?
+Q44: Where can I find active APS Document Controller job vacancies?
+Q45: How often is the salary data on this guide updated?
+Official Source References
All information on this page has been compiled directly from official Australian Federal Government sources:
- Australian Public Service Commission (APSC): apsc.gov.au — APS Work Level Standards & Remuneration Reports.
- APS Jobs: apsjobs.gov.au — Official Commonwealth vacancy portal.
- National Archives of Australia (NAA): naa.gov.au — Digital Continuity 2030, General Records Schedules, and Information Management standards.
- Australian Taxation Office (ATO): ato.gov.au — Individual Income Tax Rates, Medicare Levy thresholds, and HELP repayment schedules.
- Department of Finance: finance.gov.au — Australian Government Public Sector Workplace Relations Policy.
- Fair Work Commission: fwc.gov.au — Registered Commonwealth Enterprise Agreements 2024–2027.