Department Secretary Salary Guide
Official remuneration and determinations set by the Remuneration Tribunal for Commonwealth Departmental Secretaries (heads of federal departments).
Important Notice: Public Sector Definition
In the Australian Public Service (APS), a Secretary refers exclusively to the head of a Commonwealth department (appointed under Section 58 of the Public Service Act 1999). This guide covers these departmental executive heads and does not cover legal secretaries, company secretaries, or personal secretaries (which are detailed in separate guides).
Salary Snapshot
Department Secretaries are appointed for terms of up to 5 years. Their remuneration is structured as a Total Remuneration Package (TRP), which is reviewed and set annually by the independent Commonwealth Remuneration Tribunal.
Secretary Pay Calculator
Select a Departmental Secretary office to calculate net take-home estimations under current Resident Tax Rates:
Remuneration Tribunal Determinations
Unlike standard APS classifications (APS 1 to EL 2), Secretaries are senior statutory office holders whose salaries are determined directly by the Commonwealth Remuneration Tribunal. The table below outlines active determinations:
| Department Office | Remuneration Tier | Salary Determination |
|---|---|---|
| Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C) | Level 1 | $620,500 |
| Secretary of the Department of the Treasury | Level 1 | $620,500 |
| Secretary of the Department of Defence | Level 1 | $605,000 |
| Secretary of the Department of Finance | Level 2 | $580,000 |
| Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) | Level 2 | $580,000 |
| Secretary of the Department of Home Affairs | Level 2 | $580,000 |
| Secretary of the Department of Health and Aged Care | Level 3 | $550,000 |
| Secretary of the Department of Services Australia | Level 3 | $550,000 |
| Secretary of the Department of Education | Level 4 | $520,000 |
Remuneration Structure & Superannuation
Remuneration for Commonwealth Department Secretaries is structured differently from standard Australian Public Service (APS) salary agreements. Rather than receiving a base salary with superannuation paid on top, Secretaries are allocated a Total Remuneration Package (TRP) by the independent Remuneration Tribunal.
The TRP encompasses the base cash salary, employer superannuation contributions, and the value of any non-monetary benefits (such as executive vehicles). If a Secretary is a member of a public sector defined benefit superannuation scheme (such as CSS or PSS), the employer superannuation component is calculated according to the specific scheme’s actuarial rules, with the remaining portion of the TRP paid as cash salary. For accumulation schemes, the standard 15.4% employer superannuation contribution is deducted from the total TRP to determine the base cash salary.
APSC Classification Tiers (Levels 1–4)
The Remuneration Tribunal classifies federal government departments into four distinct levels (Level 1 to Level 4) based on size, portfolio budget, policy complexity, and national security footprint:
- Level 1 (Highest):Central policy agencies and critical national security portfolios. This includes the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C), the Department of the Treasury, and the Department of Defence.
- Level 2: Large operational portfolios with significant domestic footprint, such as the Department of Home Affairs, the Department of Finance, and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
- Level 3: Service delivery and social policy agencies managing major national programs, including the Department of Health and Aged Care, and the Department of Services Australia.
- Level 4: Portfolios managing targeted social, economic, or environmental sectors, such as the Department of Education.
Statutory Roles & Responsibilities
Under Section 57 of the Public Service Act 1999, Department Secretaries are statutory officers holding direct governance and operational accountabilities:
Principal Advisor
Serves as the principal advisor to the portfolio Minister on all policy, legislative, and program implementation matters relating to the department.
Governance & Resources
Responsible for the management and administrative leadership of the department, ensuring efficient, ethical, and economical use of public resources.
APSC Collaboration
Collaborates with the Public Service Commissioner to promote workforce capability, ethical standards, public sector values, and broader APS reform.
Executive Benefits & Allowances
In addition to base cash remuneration, Department Secretaries receive specialized executive benefits and allowances set by the Remuneration Tribunal:
Entitled to an executive fleet vehicle (including fuel and running costs) or an annual cash-in-lieu vehicle allowance of approximately $36,000 to $42,000.
Entitled to business-class travel for domestic official journeys and first-class travel for international official journeys, plus standard traveling allowances.
Includes reimbursement of reasonable relocation expenses for the Secretary and their dependants, along with temporary accommodation assistance in Canberra.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who appoints Department Secretaries?
Secretaries are appointed by the Governor-General on the recommendation of the Prime Minister, following consultation with the Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Public Service Commissioner.
What is the term length for a Secretary?
Secretaries are typically appointed for fixed terms of up to 5 years, which can be renewed or terminated based on government requirements.
Is superannuation included in the Tribunal determinations?
The stated determination is generally base salary. The Commonwealth standard 15.4% employer super contribution is paid in addition to the base salary.
What happens when a Secretary’s appointment is terminated early?
If a Secretary’s appointment is terminated before the end of their term, they are entitled to loss of office compensation as determined by the Remuneration Tribunal, typically equivalent to 6 to 12 months of their Total Remuneration Package, depending on the remaining term.
Are Department Secretaries eligible for performance bonuses?
No. The Remuneration Tribunal does not currently provide performance-based bonuses for departmental heads to ensure impartial leadership. Instead, remuneration is set at a flat annual rate based on their classified level.
How does Federal Department Secretary pay compare to State public service heads?
Commonwealth Secretaries generally receive remuneration packages that are comparable to or slightly higher than state-level department heads (such as the VPS in Victoria or Public Service in NSW), reflecting the broader national scope and legislative complexity of federal portfolios.