The public service isn’t often considered highly newsworthy, but when it comes to how much senior heads get paid, it ignites public discussion.
Depending on the department, some heads now earn more than A$1 million a year. That’s far more than the prime minister, who earns around $622,000 annually.
The independent body that oversees the pay of top officials, the Remuneration Tribunal, recently announced it will review remuneration arrangements for Australian Public Service (APS) departmental secretaries and full-time public officers. This will happen ahead of annual adjustment decisions in 2027.
