The Senior Executive Service (SES) Band 2 represents a major division-level leadership role within the Australian Public Service (APS). Positioned directly beneath the deputy secretaries, SES Band 2 officers are responsible for translating government policy objectives into massive national programs, managing significant departmental divisions, and coordinating strategic actions across branches.
Remuneration for the senior executive service band 2 salary is structured through individual determinations, offering substantial compensation to match the high expectations of strategic leadership. This guide provides an exhaustive analysis of the salary scales, allowances, tax implications, superannuation benefits, and responsibilities for SES Band 2 employees in Australia. If you are researching a typical first assistant secretary salary or the details of a standard ses2 salary australia, this resource details the current market rates and structural benefits.
1. What is an SES Band 2 Role?
An SES Band 2 officer is a senior executive within the Commonwealth public service. Governed by the Public Service Act 1999, the Senior Executive Service is established to provide a group of executives who are highly skilled, strategically focused, and capable of providing leadership across the entire public service, rather than just within a single agency.
SES Band 2 represents the second level of this executive cohort. Employees in these positions hold significant statutory power and administrative delegations. They are responsible for managing entire divisions, overseeing substantial operational budgets (often running into hundreds of millions of dollars), and commanding large teams of public servants (typically anywhere from 100 to 500+ staff).
At this level, the role shifts from managing branches to directing whole divisional structures, strategic policy, and state-wide or national service delivery frameworks. SES Band 2 officers must interact directly with Ministers and Cabinet, represent their agency at parliamentary inquiries, and form partnerships across the private sector and state governments.
2. The APS Executive Hierarchy Explained
The Senior Executive Service is structured into three distinct bands. This structure is designed to maintain a clear line of command under the departmental Secretary.
- EL 2 (Executive Level 2 - Director): The highest non-SES tier. Directors manage specific sections or program teams and report directly to SES Band 1 officers.
- SES Band 1 (Assistant Secretary / Branch Manager): The entry-level executive tier. They lead a specific branch within a division. For example, in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), an SES Band 1 might lead a specific geographical or thematic branch.
- SES Band 2 (First Assistant Secretary / Division Head): The mid-level executive tier. Band 2 officers lead a whole Division, which consists of multiple branches. They supervise several SES Band 1 officers and coordinate broad strategic objectives.
- SES Band 3 (Deputy Secretary): The highest executive tier below the Secretary. Deputy Secretaries oversee entire groups of divisions, advising the Secretary and Minister on critical portfolios.
| Classification | Typical Title | Typical Reporting Scope | Direct Reports |
|---|---|---|---|
| EL 2 (Non-SES) | Director / Principal Advisor | Specific Section (e.g. 5–15 staff) | Reports to SES Band 1 |
| SES Band 1 | Assistant Secretary / Branch Manager | Whole Branch (e.g. 30–150 staff) | Reports to SES Band 2 |
| SES Band 2 | First Assistant Secretary / Division Head | Whole Division (e.g. 3–5 Branches) | Reports to SES Band 3 |
| SES Band 3 | Deputy Secretary | Entire Group (e.g. 2–5 Divisions) | Reports to Secretary |
3. Current SES Band 2 Salary Ranges
Unlike standard public service tiers, there is no single, uniform salary scale for SES Band 2 employees. Remuneration is set individually by each agency under a legal mechanism called a Section 24(1) Determination of the Public Service Act 1999.
This decentralized approach allows agency heads to adjust remuneration packages to attract specialized talent, account for varying workloads, and align with market pressures. For example, a senior executive managing complex infrastructure programs in the Department of Defence or supervising corporate compliance at the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) may command a higher starting base salary than their peer in a smaller administrative agency.
According to standard Commonwealth remuneration data, the consolidated remuneration figures are:
- Base Salary (Minimum): A$230,138
- Base Salary (Maximum): A$292,961
- Base Salary (APSC Median): A$307,112 (often achieved in high-scale federal departments)
- Total Remuneration Package (TRP Range): A$265,579 – A$338,077+
The *Total Remuneration Package (TRP)* includes the base salary plus the 15.4% employer superannuation contribution. If separate cash allowances (such as Motor Vehicle Allowances or parking subsidies) are negotiated, the final package can exceed A$360,000.
| Federal Agency | Typical Base Salary Range (AUD) | Employer Super (15.4%) | Estimated TRP Range (AUD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Defence | A$250,000 – A$310,000 | A$38,500 – A$47,740 | A$288,500 – A$357,740 |
| Australian Taxation Office (ATO) | A$245,000 – A$300,000 | A$37,730 – A$46,200 | A$282,730 – A$346,200 |
| Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet | A$260,000 – A$320,000 | A$40,040 – A$49,280 | A$300,040 – A$369,280 |
| Department of Health and Aged Care | A$235,000 – A$295,000 | A$36,190 – A$45,430 | A$271,190 – A$340,430 |
| Small Regulatory Agencies (Median) | A$230,138 – A$280,000 | A$35,441 – A$43,120 | A$265,579 – A$323,120 |
*Note: TRP ranges are indicative and based on standard APSC statistics. Individual determinations may include higher amounts, especially for technical or specialized roles (e.g. cybersecurity, legal executives, or medical directors).
4. Weekly, Fortnightly & Monthly Calculations
For budgeting and operational purposes, understanding how an annual base salary divides into standard pay cycles is helpful. In the Australian Public Service, fortnightly payments are standard. The official Commonwealth conversion factor utilizes 26.089 fortnights per year (derived from the average of 365.25 days per year divided by 14).
Below are the pay cycle breakdowns for the bottom (A$230,138) and top (A$292,961) of the SES Band 2 salary range:
| Pay Cycle | At A$230,138 (Base Min) | At A$292,961 (Base Max) | Calculation Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekly Equivalent | A$4,410.65 | A$5,614.65 | Annual salary divided by 52.178 weeks |
| Fortnightly Pay | A$8,821.30 | A$11,229.29 | Annual salary divided by 26.089 fortnights |
| Monthly Pay | A$19,178.17 | A$24,413.42 | Annual salary divided by 12 months |
| Hourly Rate (Theoretical) | A$116.07 | A$147.75 | Based on a nominal 38-hour standard working week |
5. Take-Home Pay Estimates (After-Tax)
Australia utilizes a progressive taxation system where higher income thresholds are taxed at higher marginal rates. The calculations below incorporate the Stage 3 tax cuts (active for the 2025/2026 financial year) and the 2.0% Medicare levy.
Because HECS-HELP student loans are common among public service executives, we have provided side-by-side estimates of net take-home earnings with and without HELP debt.
| Calculation Component | At A$230,138 (Base Min) | At A$292,961 (Base Max) |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Annual Income | A$230,138.00 | A$292,961.00 |
| Income Tax (Stage 3) | -A$69,700.10 | -A$97,970.45 |
| Medicare Levy (2.0%) | -A$4,602.76 | -A$5,859.22 |
| Net Take-Home (No HECS Debt) | A$155,835.14 | A$189,131.33 |
| Fortnightly Net (No HECS) | A$5,973.21 | A$7,249.47 |
| HECS-HELP Repayments (10.0%)* | -A$23,013.80 | -A$29,296.10 |
| Net Take-Home (With HECS Debt) | A$132,821.34 | A$159,835.23 |
| Fortnightly Net (With HECS) | A$5,091.13 | A$6,126.58 |
*Note: HELP/HECS repayment rates kick in strongly at these executive income levels. The top HELP repayment bracket is 10.0% of the entire repayment income (gross salary + reportable fringe benefits + reportable superannuation contributions) for incomes over A$151,300. This significantly impacts cash flow until the debt is cleared.
6. Superannuation & Executive Allowances
One of the major advantages of employment within the Australian Public Service is the retirement benefit structure. Under standard Commonwealth legislation, APS agencies must provide an employer superannuation contribution of 15.4% of the employee's base salary (or "ordinary time earnings").
At the base salary range of A$230,138 to A$292,961, the 15.4% contribution results in A$35,441 to A$45,116in super contributions annually, which is paid directly into the employee's selected superannuation fund (such as PSSap, UniSuper, or a Self-Managed Super Fund).
7. Common Job Titles & Core Responsibilities
Because the Senior Executive Service is designed to be mobile, an SES officer is expected to lead teams across various policy and operational areas. Consequently, titles can vary based on agency functions:
- First Assistant Secretary (FAS): The standard title in policy-focused departments (e.g. Department of the Treasury, Department of Finance, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet). They oversee a Division comprising multiple Branches.
- Chief Operating Officer (COO): Often appointed at the SES Band 2 level to oversee corporate operations, HR, finance, security, and administration across the entire department.
- Chief Information Officer (CIO) / Chief Digital Officer (CDO): Leads the technological and digital strategy of the department, overseeing massive digital transformations, IT infrastructures, and data security.
- National Program Director: Manages state-wide or nation-wide service delivery systems (e.g., Services Australia or the National Disability Insurance Scheme).
- Senior Agency Executive: Governs operations in specialized regulatory commissions (e.g., ASIC or the ACCC).
8. Core Leadership Responsibilities
SES Band 2 officers are expected to exercise high-level leadership and management. Their core responsibilities include:
- Division Governance & Strategic Alignment: Establishing division goals, ensuring projects align with national objectives, and steering branch directions.
- Ministerial and Cabinet Briefings: Briefing Ministers directly on high-profile matters, drafting Cabinet Submissions, and providing strategic support to policy design.
- Public and Parliamentary Accountability: Acting as primary spokespersons for divisional programs, responding to parliamentary committees, and testifying at Senate Estimates.
- Large Budgetary Delegations: Managing division expenditure, reviewing procurement pipelines, and assuring financial accountability under the PGPA Act.
- Strategic Change Management: Fostering agency culture, managing leadership pipelines, and steering divisional structural reforms.
9. Qualifications and Experience Required
SES Band 2 roles represent senior executive leadership. Candidates must possess:
- Demonstrated Executive Leadership: Substantial experience operating at the SES Band 1 or equivalent senior director level, managing multi-tier programs and significant staff structures.
- APs Leadership Capability Alignment: Mapped capability to the APSC's senior executive standards, showing excellence in shaping strategy, achieves results, and communicates with influence.
- Educational Background: Relevant tertiary qualifications (e.g., Master of Public Administration, MBA, or specialized executive policy training) are highly desirable, alongside specialized technical certifications for technology or legal roles.
- Lateral Transfer Suitability: Private sector leaders must show a strong grasp of government protocols, stakeholder management, and public sector accountability expectations.
10. Comparison: SES Band 2 vs. SES Band 1
The step up from SES Band 1 to SES Band 2 represents a transition from branch leadership to division leadership, carrying greater responsibility and a higher pay structure. For details on the entry-level executive tier, see our detailed APS SES Band 1 Salary Guide.
| Attribute | SES Band 1 | SES Band 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Title | Assistant Secretary / Branch Manager | First Assistant Secretary / Division Head |
| Base Salary Range | A$195,500 – A$274,500+ | A$230,138 – A$292,961+ |
| Span of Control | Leads a Branch (reports to SES Band 2) | Leads a Division of multiple Branches (reports to SES Band 3) |
| Budget Delegation | Branch budget (usually A$5M - A$20M) | Division budget (often A$50M - A$200M+) |
| Staff Count | 30 – 150 employees | 100 – 500+ employees |
11. Comparison: SES Band 2 vs. SES Band 3
At the top of the Senior Executive Service stands the SES Band 3 (Deputy Secretary), representing the final step before the agency Secretary.
| Attribute | SES Band 2 (FAS) | SES Band 3 (Deputy Sec) |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Base Salary | A$230,138 – A$292,961+ | A$350,000 – A$480,000+ |
| Oversight Scope | A single Division | A whole Group (consisting of multiple Divisions) |
| Reporting Structure | Reports to Deputy Secretary (Band 3) | Reports to Department Secretary |
| Cabinet Engagement | Drafts papers; briefs Cabinet in specific sessions | Frequently attends Cabinet committees; provides direct ministerial advisory |
12. Career Progression Pathway
SES Band 2 roles represent high-level public sector management. The typical career path flows through:
- Securing SES Band 1: Consolidating executive experience by managing branches and stepping up to acting Band 2 roles.
- APSC Validation: Undergoing merit-based recruitment processes with independent APSC representation.
- Moving to SES Band 3 (Deputy Secretary): Promotion to the Group leadership level, advising Departmental Secretaries and driving agency-wide transformations.
- Departmental Secretary: Appointed by the Prime Minister (via the Governor-General) to lead a Commonwealth Department.
13. Benefits and Allowances
SES Band 2 contracts (determinations) incorporate premium allowances to support their executive duties:
- Motor Vehicle Cash Allowance (MVA): Standard cash payment of A$20,000 to A$25,000 to cover private vehicle costs, rolled directly into the TRP.
- Premium Travel Allowances: Business-class flight travel for all domestic flights exceeding 2 hours, alongside comprehensive travel meal and accommodation subsidies.
- Health & Wellness Support: Annual physical health checks and subsidies for private health insurance packages.
- Technology Packages: High-end laptop, tablet, and smartphone provisions with fully funded executive home internet options.