APS Finance Manager Salary Guide
Official Australian Federal Government Finance Manager Pay Scales, Classification Mappings & Take-Home Estimates
Lowest Salary (APS6)
$98,500
Core Manager (EL1)
$125,000 – $145,000
Highest Director (EL2)
$185,000
Fortnightly Take-Home
$2,875 – $4,920
Employer Super
15.4%
Classifications
APS6 / EL1 / EL2
Last Verified
24 July 2026
Important Notice: APS Classification Structure
In the Australian Public Service (APS), Finance Manager is an operational job title rather than a single statutory classification level. Depending on agency size, reporting complexity, delegation limits, and team size, a Finance Manager typically sits at one of three levels:
- APS Level 6 (APS6): Senior Finance Officer / Assistant Manager ($98,500 – $118,780) — team leader managing accounts payable/receivable, reconciliations, and initial division budget inputs.
- Executive Level 1 (EL1): Finance Manager / Assistant Director ($125,000 – $145,000) — the standard full Finance Manager role leading a finance section, managing division budgets, and submitting CBMS reports.
- Executive Level 2 (EL2): Director of Finance / Senior Manager ($152,000 – $185,000) — branch leadership, overall agency balance sheet control, ANAO liaison, and direct advisor to the Secretary.
APS Finance Manager Salary & Take-Home Calculator
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Finance Manager APS Classification Breakdown
Detailed analysis of base salary ranges, leadership scope, budget ownership, and key competencies across the three classification tiers for Finance Managers:
Senior Finance Officer / Assistant Finance Manager
Super: $15,169 – $18,292 / yr
Management & Leadership Scope
Manages operational accounting tasks, general ledger maintenance, month-end reconciliations, and initial division budget reviews. Supervises APS 3–5 staff.
Entry Requirements & Qualifications
Bachelor of Accounting/Commerce, initial CPA/CA studies, SAP or TechOne proficiency, financial variance reporting.
Finance Manager / Assistant Director Finance
Super: $19,250 – $22,325 / yr
Management & Leadership Scope
Leads a section or team of accountants and budget analysts. Responsible for division budget formulation, CBMS submissions, complex procurement oversight, and ANAO audit liaison.
Entry Requirements & Qualifications
Full CPA or CA ANZ qualification, 5+ years experience, strategic financial planning, PGPA Act compliance, team management.
Director of Finance / Senior Finance Manager
Super: $23,408 – $28,490 / yr
Management & Leadership Scope
Directs agency financial strategy, overall portfolio budget management, statutory annual reporting, and executive committee briefings. Acts as CFO in smaller agencies.
Entry Requirements & Qualifications
Senior CPA/CA executive leadership, 10+ years public sector finance governance, strategic risk management, direct advisor to Secretary.
Core Responsibilities of a Government Finance Manager
Finance Managers in the Australian Federal Government bear statutory responsibility under the PGPA Act 2013 for ensuring that public funds are managed efficiently, transparently, and legally:
Budget Management & CBMS
Formulating internal division budget allocations, managing portfolio Estimates submissions, and submitting monthly reporting in the Department of Finance Central Budget Management System (CBMS).
Statutory Financial Reporting
Preparing annual statutory financial statements in full compliance with Australian Accounting Standards (AASB), Finance Minister Orders, and PGPA Act rules.
Financial Forecasting & Analysis
Developing multi-year financial forecast models, conducting variance analyses, and evaluating division operational spending trends to prevent budget overruns.
PGPA Governance & Risk Control
Maintaining agency internal financial controls, enforcing financial delegations, managing fraud risk registers, and ensuring compliance with Section 15 of the PGPA Act.
Procurement & Contract Oversight
Reviewing major commercial tender specifications, managing supplier contracts, enforcing Commonwealth Procurement Rules (CPRs), and reporting on AusTender.
ANAO External Audit Liaison
Coordinating external audit reviews with the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO), providing financial workpapers, and implementing audit recommendation actions.
Multidisciplinary Team Leadership
Directing, mentoring, and supervising teams of financial accountants, budget officers, and payroll specialists; conducting annual performance reviews.
Executive & Ministerial Briefings
Drafting high-level financial briefs, Senate Estimates answers, Cabinet submission financial impact statements, and reporting to Executive Boards.
Skills & Professional Certifications
Key qualifications, professional memberships, and technical tools required to perform as an effective Finance Manager in Commonwealth public administration:
CPA Australia / CA ANZ
Essential requirement for EL 1 and EL 2 Finance Manager positions across all federal departments.
Bachelor of Commerce / Accounting
Standard baseline qualification required for entry into professional APS finance streams.
GovERP / SAP S/4HANA
The standardized Commonwealth financial management system powering ledgers and procurement.
TechnologyOne & Oracle Financials
Core financial ledgers utilized by statutory authorities and major Commonwealth departments.
Advanced Excel & Power BI
Complex financial modelling, dynamic dashboard creation, and executive reporting tools.
PGPA Act & CPR Expertise
Deep understanding of public sector financial management, accountability frameworks, and procurement.
Finance Manager Career Progression Roadmap
A structured career path showing typical experience milestones, salary progression, and promotional requirements from entry-level accounting to executive leadership:
APS 4–5 (Finance Officer)
$77,865 – $97,400Key Milestone: Complete accounting degree, handle month-end reconciliations, begin CPA/CA studies.
APS 6 (Senior Finance Officer)
$98,500 – $118,780Key Milestone: Lead financial statement prep, manage division budget processes, supervise junior staff.
EL 1 (Finance Manager)
$125,000 – $145,000Key Milestone: Obtain full CPA/CA accreditation, manage section budgets, direct ANAO audit responses.
EL 2 (Director of Finance)
$152,000 – $185,000Key Milestone: Strategic portfolio budget control, direct advisor to Department Secretary and Executive Board.
Federal Agency Finance Manager Pay Comparison
Compare Finance Manager base salary tables across 11 major Commonwealth departments under active Enterprise Agreements (2024–2027):
| Department | APS 6 Pay Band | EL 1 Finance Manager | EL 2 Director | WFH Policy | Super |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Finance | $99,800 – $120,400 | $126,500 – $146,800 | $154,000 – $185,000 | Hybrid (3 days home) | 15.4% |
| Department of the Treasury | $101,200 – $122,100 | $128,400 – $148,900 | $156,500 – $192,000 | Hybrid (Flexible) | 15.4% |
| Australian Taxation Office (ATO) | $98,780 – $118,780 | $125,000 – $145,000 | $152,000 – $182,500 | Hybrid (3 days home) | 15.4% |
| Department of the Prime Minister & Cabinet (PM&C) | $103,100 – $124,800 | $130,500 – $151,200 | $159,000 – $195,000 | Hybrid (Flexible) | 15.4% |
| Department of Defence | $97,500 – $116,200 | $123,500 – $142,800 | $150,000 – $178,000 | Hybrid (2 days home) | 15.4% |
| Services Australia | $96,800 – $114,800 | $122,000 – $141,000 | $148,500 – $174,000 | Subject to approval | 15.4% |
| Department of Health & Aged Care | $98,200 – $118,100 | $124,800 – $144,500 | $151,500 – $179,500 | Hybrid (3 days home) | 15.4% |
| Department of Home Affairs | $98,000 – $117,800 | $124,200 – $144,000 | $151,000 – $178,900 | Hybrid (3 days home) | 15.4% |
| Department of Education | $98,900 – $118,900 | $125,200 – $145,200 | $152,500 – $180,200 | Hybrid (3 days home) | 15.4% |
| Department of Infrastructure, Transport & Regional | $99,500 – $120,100 | $126,100 – $146,200 | $153,800 – $183,100 | Hybrid (3 days home) | 15.4% |
| Attorney-General’s Department (AGD) | $99,100 – $119,500 | $125,800 – $145,800 | $153,000 – $182,000 | Hybrid (3 days home) | 15.4% |
Employment Benefits & Working Conditions
In addition to competitive base salaries, Commonwealth Finance Managers receive a comprehensive package of statutory benefits and workplace conditions:
15.4% Employer Super
Generous super contribution paid on top of base salary — providing a major retirement boost.
Hybrid & Flexible Work
Formal work-from-home agreements (2–3 days per week) enshrined in agency Enterprise Agreements.
Study Assistance & CPA Fees
Financial reimbursement for CPA/CA enrolment fees and paid study leave for exams.
Purchased Leave (4+4)
Option to purchase up to 4 additional weeks of annual leave per year via regular pay deductions.
Executive Release / TOIL
Flex time and Time Off In Lieu provisions for APS 6 and flexible executive release for EL staff.
Salary Packaging
Pre-tax salary sacrifice options for superannuation, novated leases, and technology items.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Get clear, verified answers to common questions regarding APS Finance Manager salaries, classifications, qualifications, and working conditions:
What is the average Finance Manager salary in the Australian Federal Government?
The average base salary for an APS Finance Manager ranges from $125,000 to $145,000 per year at the Executive Level 1 (EL 1) classification. With 15.4% employer superannuation added, the total remuneration package ranges from $144,250 to $167,325.
What APS level is a Finance Manager?
In the federal public service, "Finance Manager" is a role title rather than a single classification. Small team leaders or senior accountants sit at APS Level 6 ($98,500–$118,780). Section heads and full Finance Managers sit at EL 1 ($125,000–$145,000). Senior Directors of Finance sit at EL 2 ($152,000–$185,000).
Is CPA or CA qualification mandatory for a Finance Manager in government?
While not legally mandatory for entry-level positions, a full CPA or CA ANZ qualification is practically essential for promotion to EL 1 (Finance Manager) and EL 2 (Director) roles in almost all major Commonwealth departments.
What does an EL 1 Finance Manager take home per fortnight after tax?
At the midpoint of the EL 1 band ($135,000 base salary), an employee without HECS debt takes home approximately $3,750 per fortnight after income tax and Medicare levy. Employer super contributions add an extra $20,790 per year into their super fund.
Which federal agency pays the highest Finance Manager salaries?
Department of the Prime Minister & Cabinet (PM&C) and the Department of the Treasury consistently offer the highest base salary scales in the APS, with EL 1 Finance Managers reaching up to $151,200 and EL 2 Directors up to $195,000.
Can an APS Finance Manager work from home (WFH)?
Yes. Modern Commonwealth Enterprise Agreements (2024–2027) include formal flexible work arrangements allowing finance staff to work from home 2 to 3 days per week, subject to operational requirements.
What software systems do government Finance Managers use daily?
Primary enterprise systems include SAP (GovERP), TechnologyOne, and Oracle Financials. Budgeting relies heavily on the Department of Finance Central Budget Management System (CBMS), Power BI, and Microsoft Excel.
What is the difference between a Finance Manager and a Budget Manager in the APS?
A Finance Manager oversees general accounting, general ledger, statutory financial statements, and financial governance under AASB standards. A Budget Manager focuses specifically on internal division budget allocations, Estimates submissions, policy costing, and CBMS reporting.
What security clearance is required for a federal Finance Manager?
Most standard departmental Finance Manager roles require a Baseline security clearance. Roles handling sensitive portfolio budgets, Cabinet submissions, or Defence procurement require Negative Vetting 1 (NV1) or NV2 clearance.
How do salary step increments work for Finance Managers?
Within each level (e.g. EL 1), there are 3 to 5 salary pay points or increments. Employees who achieve a satisfactory rating in their annual performance review advance one pay point each year until reaching the top ceiling of their band.
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Official Data Sources
Salary data and Enterprise Agreement conditions are verified directly against official publications from the Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) Remuneration Report, Department of Finance Frameworks, Australian Taxation Office (ATO) tax tables, and Commonwealth Enterprise Agreements (2024–2027).
Data last verified 24 July 2026 · AussieSalary Commonwealth Careers Portal