Public Service Salary Scales
Compare salary scales across Australian federal and state public services
Australian Signals Directorate (ASD)
| Classification | Minimum | Maximum |
|---|---|---|
ASD Level 1 Entry level intelligence and administrative support | $57,497 | $61,713 |
ASD Level 2 Intelligence and technical support roles | $62,775 | $69,945 |
ASD Level 3 Intelligence analyst and technical officer roles | $70,871 | $78,089 |
ASD Level 4 Senior analyst and specialist roles | $80,278 | $87,641 |
ASD Level 5 Principal analyst and cyber specialist roles | $88,834 | $96,829 |
ASD Level 6 Senior specialist and team leader roles | $99,734 | $111,701 |
ASD Executive Level 1 (EL1) Section manager and principal specialist roles | $121,978 | $137,590 |
ASD Executive Level 2 (EL2) Branch head and senior specialist roles | $141,624 | $169,993 |
ASD Executive Level 2.1 Senior branch head and program director roles | $169,994 | $202,303 |
ASD Executive Level 2.2 Division head and senior executive roles | $202,304 | $227,590 |
Trainee ASD (Technical) Technical graduate and trainee roles | $59,360 | $66,748 |
Important Notes
- •ASD uses its own classification levels (ASD Level 1–6 and EL1/EL2/EL2.1/EL2.2) — not standard APS levels
- •Salary scales effective 1 September 2025 per ASD Terms and Conditions of Employment Determination
- •All ASD employees receive 15.4% employer superannuation (Defence Super or PSSap)
- •ASD Level 1–6 are broadly equivalent to APS 1–6 for comparison purposes
- •ASD EL2.1 and EL2.2 extend beyond the standard APS EL2 band — these are ASD-specific senior levels
- •Security clearance (Negative Vetting 1 or 2, Positive Vetting) and Australian citizenship are mandatory for all roles
Salary Range by Classification
Each bar shows the min–max salary range for that classification. Select jurisdictions to compare side by side.
Updated Sept 2025
Updated Mar 2026
* Bars show gross salary range (min to max) for each classification. Values adjust with the timeframe selected in the salary table above.
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“The Australian Public Service (APS) employs over 150,000 people across the country.”
About Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) Salary Scales
The Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) uses a structured classification system with 11 classification levels to determine salary for public sector employees — from ASD Level 1 ($57,497–$61,713) up to Trainee ASD (Technical) ($59,360–$66,748). Salaries are reviewed and updated through enterprise agreements and government determinations.
Superannuation: ASD employees receive 15.4% employer superannuation. This is above the standard rate, reflecting Defence/federal agency agreements.
Salary Data Last Updated
1 September 2025 — Source: ASD Terms and Conditions of Employment Determination (Annex C)
Key Information
- ASD uses its own classification levels (ASD Level 1–6 and EL1/EL2/EL2.1/EL2.2) — not standard APS levels
- Salary scales effective 1 September 2025 per ASD Terms and Conditions of Employment Determination
- All ASD employees receive 15.4% employer superannuation (Defence Super or PSSap)
- ASD Level 1–6 are broadly equivalent to APS 1–6 for comparison purposes
- ASD EL2.1 and EL2.2 extend beyond the standard APS EL2 band — these are ASD-specific senior levels
- Security clearance (Negative Vetting 1 or 2, Positive Vetting) and Australian citizenship are mandatory for all roles
Compare with Other Jurisdictions
See how ASD salaries compare with other Australian public service jurisdictions:
Frequently Asked Questions
What salary does ASD pay?
The Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) uses its own classification levels — ASD Level 1 through Level 6, plus ASD EL1, EL2, EL2.1, and EL2.2. As of September 2025, salaries range from $57,497 (ASD Level 1) to $111,701 (ASD Level 6), with executive roles from $121,978 (ASD EL1) up to $227,590 (ASD EL2.2). All ASD employees receive 15.4% employer superannuation.
How do ASD levels compare to APS levels?
ASD Level 1–6 are broadly equivalent to APS 1–6 for salary comparison purposes. ASD EL1 and EL2 correspond to the standard APS executive levels, while ASD EL2.1 ($169,994–$202,303) and EL2.2 ($202,304–$227,590) are ASD-specific senior levels that extend beyond the standard APS EL2 band, reflecting the specialist nature of signals intelligence and cyber roles.
What superannuation rate does ASD offer?
ASD employees receive 15.4% employer superannuation, contributed to PSSap or Defence Super. This is well above the standard 11.5% Superannuation Guarantee in the private sector. At an ASD Level 6 salary midpoint of ~$105,718, this represents approximately $16,281 in annual employer super contributions.
What security clearance is required to work at ASD?
Most ASD roles require at minimum a Negative Vetting Level 1 (NV1) security clearance, with many technical and analytical positions requiring Negative Vetting Level 2 (NV2) or Positive Vetting (PV). The clearance process can take 6–18 months and involves a comprehensive background check, including financial history, personal associations, and overseas connections. Australian citizenship is mandatory for all ASD positions.
Plan Your ASD Public Service Career
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