Division Head Salary Guide
Definitive guide to Federal Government Division Head salaries. Map underlying classifications, run take-home pay calculations, and compare agency scales.
Important Classification Notice
A “Division Head” is a job title rather than a standard APS classification. Depending on the department, Division Head positions are commonly classified as:
- At major departments (e.g. Treasury, Finance, PM&C, Home Affairs), Division Heads are typically classified as a Senior Executive Service Band 2 (SES Band 2) or high-level SES Band 1.
- In some smaller statutory agencies, the role may be mapped to the Executive Level 2 (EL2) Director tier.
- Salary therefore depends on the employing agency and its applicable Enterprise Agreement or remuneration determination.
Division Head Salary Snapshot
Because of the classification split, overall remuneration scales differ substantially. A standard 15.4% superannuation payment adds significant value on top of base salary:
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Salary Allocation Breakdown
Visual allocation of your total base salary based on the inputs selected in the calculator above:
Division Head Classification Guide
Different federal agencies map the Division Head position to different underlying classifications:
| Agency | Typical Classification | Salary Range | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australian Taxation Office (ATO) | SES Band 1 / SES Band 2 | $195,000 – $360,000 | 2024-2027 Enterprise Agreement |
| Services Australia | SES Band 2 | $285,000 – $375,000 | 2024-2027 Enterprise Agreement |
| Department of Defence | SES Band 1 / SES Band 2 | $196,000 – $365,000 | 2024-2027 Enterprise Agreement |
| Department of Home Affairs | SES Band 2 | $290,000 – $370,000 | 2024-2027 Enterprise Agreement |
| Department of the Treasury | SES Band 2 | $300,000 – $380,000 | 2024-2027 Enterprise Agreement |
| Department of Finance | SES Band 2 | $295,000 – $375,000 | 2024-2027 Enterprise Agreement |
| Department of Health and Aged Care | SES Band 1 / SES Band 2 | $195,000 – $362,000 | 2024-2027 Enterprise Agreement |
| Department of Education | SES Band 1 / SES Band 2 | $194,000 – $358,000 | 2024-2027 Enterprise Agreement |
| Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry | SES Band 1 / SES Band 2 | $192,000 – $355,000 | 2024-2027 Enterprise Agreement |
| Attorney-General’s Department | SES Band 2 | $288,000 – $368,000 | 2024-2027 Enterprise Agreement |
| Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C) | SES Band 2 | $310,000 – $390,000 | 2024-2027 Enterprise Agreement |
| Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) | SES Band 1 / SES Band 2 | $190,000 – $350,000 | 2024-2027 Enterprise Agreement |
| ASIC | SES Band 2 | $300,000 – $380,000 | 2024-2027 Enterprise Agreement |
| ACCC | SES Band 1 / SES Band 2 | $195,000 – $360,000 | 2024-2027 Enterprise Agreement |
Division Head Career Roadmap
The typical pathway to obtaining a Division Head position in the federal public service:
Managing section deliverables and resources. Base: $150,800 – $182,500.
Managing branch deliverables and operational portfolios. Base: $200,000 – $280,000.
Directing whole divisions, advising Deputy Secretaries, and coordinating broad national programs. Base: $280,000 – $370,000.
Overseeing groups of divisions and coordinating national priorities. Base: $370,000 – $620,000.
Division Head Responsibilities
Division Heads hold ultimate strategic oversight for whole organizational divisions:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Fact-checked answers for Federal Division Heads in the Australian Government:
What is a Division Head in the Australian Government?
A Division Head is a high-level leadership role directing an entire organizational division consisting of multiple branches.
Is Division Head an SES role?
Yes. In the majority of federal agencies, a Division Head is classified as a Senior Executive Service Band 2 (SES Band 2) officer.
What is the salary range for a Division Head?
Division Head base salaries range from $195,000 (SES Band 1 starting base) up to $390,000+ (SES Band 2 max base) per year depending on the agency Remuneration determinations.
What superannuation rate applies to Division Heads?
All ongoing federal Division Heads receive a 15.4% employer superannuation contribution paid on top of their base salary.
Do Division Heads receive overtime payments?
No, Division Heads are senior salaried executives and are not eligible for overtime payments. They are compensated through comprehensive executive remuneration packages.
How does a Division Head compare with an SES Band 1 Branch Head?
An SES Band 1 Branch Head manages a single branch. An SES Band 2 Division Head oversees multiple branches, reporting directly to a Deputy Secretary.
Can a Division Head work from home?
Yes, federal agencies support hybrid arrangements, typically allowing 2 days of work-from-home weekly, subject to operational requirements.
What financial delegations apply to Division Heads?
Division Heads manage division-wide budgets, typically holding PGPA financial delegations ranging from $250,000 to $1,000,000+.