Australian Signals Directorate (ASD)
Classification bands
11 levels · single stream
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
Salaries are indicative and based on publicly available data. Verify with your agency HR for accurate, role-specific information.
Salary Snapshot
ASD salary bands, shown per year.
Entry salary
$57,497
ASD Level 1
Top salary
$66,748
Trainee ASD (Technical)
Midpoint band
$105,718
ASD Level 6
Classifications
11
Current pay structure
Classification range chart
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About ASD Pay Scales & Classification Levels
ASD sets pay across 11 non-SES levels starting at ASD Level 1 ($57,497–$61,713); ASD Level 1–6 map to the APS bands while ASD-specific Executive Level tiers (EL2.1, EL2.2) extend above the standard structure; dedicated entry pathways such as the Trainee ASD (Technical) ($59,360–$66,748) bring in technical recruits.
How ASD pay rises work
ASD salaries move under the ASD Terms and Conditions of Employment Determination when a new salary schedule is registered.
Classification levels & progression
Each level spans several pay points; you advance by increment within a level and by promotion between levels.
- ASD Level 1–6 broadly map to APS 1–6.
- ASD-specific EL2.1 and EL2.2 sit above the standard Executive Level 2 band.
- Dedicated trainee and technical entry pathways bring in new recruits.
Superannuation & allowances
ASD employees receive 15.4% employer superannuation — above the standard Superannuation Guarantee rate.
- Most roles carry a superannuable service allowance, and a security clearance plus Australian citizenship are mandatory.
Total remuneration
Base salary plus 15.4% super and the superannuable service allowance where applicable.
Source: ASD Terms and Conditions of Employment Determination (Annex C)
Key Information
ASD salary facts, agreement context and conditions to check before comparing pay.
Classification note
ASD uses its own classification levels (ASD Level 1–6 and EL1/EL2/EL2.1/EL2.2) — not standard APS levels
Effective date
Salary scales effective 1 September 2025 per ASD Terms and Conditions of Employment Determination
Employer super
All ASD employees receive 15.4% employer superannuation (Defence Super or PSSap)
Classification note
ASD Level 1–6 are broadly equivalent to APS 1–6 for comparison purposes
Classification note
ASD EL2.1 and EL2.2 extend beyond the standard APS EL2 band — these are ASD-specific senior levels
Scope note
Security clearance (Negative Vetting 1 or 2, Positive Vetting) and Australian citizenship are mandatory for all roles
Compare Pay Scales
Compare public service salary scales across federal, state and territory jurisdictions.
ASD Salary Guide by Classification
Quick reference for every Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) classification and what it pays in 2026–2027— gross salary plus the estimated take-home pay, employer super, and total package the salary table doesn't show. Select any level to calculate your exact take-home pay after tax, Medicare, and super.
ASD 1 Salary
An ASD 1 (also written as ASD1) earns $57,497–$61,713 gross — roughly $49,000–$52,000 take-home after income tax and Medicare, plus 15.4% employer super (~$66,000–$71,000 total package). Entry level intelligence and administrative support.
Calculate ASD 1 take-home pay →ASD 2 Salary
An ASD 2 (also written as ASD2) earns $62,775–$69,945 gross — roughly $52,000–$57,000 take-home after income tax and Medicare, plus 15.4% employer super (~$72,000–$81,000 total package). Intelligence and technical support roles.
Calculate ASD 2 take-home pay →ASD 3 Salary
An ASD 3 (also written as ASD3) earns $70,871–$78,089 gross — roughly $58,000–$63,000 take-home after income tax and Medicare, plus 15.4% employer super (~$82,000–$90,000 total package). Intelligence analyst and technical officer roles.
Calculate ASD 3 take-home pay →ASD 4 Salary
An ASD 4 (also written as ASD4) earns $80,278–$87,641 gross — roughly $64,000–$69,000 take-home after income tax and Medicare, plus 15.4% employer super (~$93,000–$101,000 total package). Senior analyst and specialist roles.
Calculate ASD 4 take-home pay →ASD 5 Salary
An ASD 5 (also written as ASD5) earns $88,834–$96,829 gross — roughly $70,000–$75,000 take-home after income tax and Medicare, plus 15.4% employer super (~$103,000–$112,000 total package). Principal analyst and cyber specialist roles.
Calculate ASD 5 take-home pay →ASD 6 Salary
An ASD 6 (also written as ASD6) earns $99,734–$111,701 gross — roughly $77,000–$84,000 take-home after income tax and Medicare, plus 15.4% employer super (~$115,000–$129,000 total package). Senior specialist and team leader roles.
Calculate ASD 6 take-home pay →ASD Executive Level 1 (EL1) Salary
An ASD Executive Level 1 (EL1) earns $121,978–$137,590 gross — roughly $91,000–$101,000 take-home after income tax and Medicare, plus 15.4% employer super (~$141,000–$159,000 total package). Section manager and principal specialist roles.
Calculate ASD Executive Level 1 (EL1) take-home pay →ASD Executive Level 2 (EL2) Salary
An ASD Executive Level 2 (EL2) earns $141,624–$169,993 gross — roughly $104,000–$120,000 take-home after income tax and Medicare, plus 15.4% employer super (~$163,000–$196,000 total package). Branch head and senior specialist roles.
Calculate ASD Executive Level 2 (EL2) take-home pay →ASD Executive Level 2.1 Salary
An ASD Executive Level 2.1 earns $169,994–$202,303 gross — roughly $120,000–$138,000 take-home after income tax and Medicare, plus 15.4% employer super (~$196,000–$233,000 total package). Senior branch head and program director roles.
Calculate ASD Executive Level 2.1 take-home pay →ASD Executive Level 2.2 Salary
An ASD Executive Level 2.2 earns $202,304–$227,590 gross — roughly $138,000–$151,000 take-home after income tax and Medicare, plus 15.4% employer super (~$233,000–$263,000 total package). Division head and senior executive roles.
Calculate ASD Executive Level 2.2 take-home pay →Trainee ASD (Technical) Salary
A Trainee ASD (Technical) earns $59,360–$66,748 gross — roughly $50,000–$55,000 take-home after income tax and Medicare, plus 15.4% employer super (~$69,000–$77,000 total package). Technical graduate and trainee roles.
Calculate Trainee ASD (Technical) take-home pay →Take-home and total package figures are estimates. Take-home excludes HECS/HELP, the Medicare Levy Surcharge, and salary sacrifice, and assumes a resident taxpayer claiming the tax-free threshold. Total package adds employer super to gross salary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ASD 1 salary?
An ASD 1 (also written as ASD1) earns $57,497 to $61,713 per year as set by the ASD Terms and Conditions of Employment Determination (Annex C). After income tax and Medicare levy, take-home pay is approximately $49,000–$52,000 per year. This classification covers entry level intelligence and administrative support. ASD employees receive 15.4% employer superannuation.
What is the ASD 2 salary?
An ASD 2 (also written as ASD2) earns $62,775 to $69,945 per year as set by the ASD Terms and Conditions of Employment Determination (Annex C). After income tax and Medicare levy, take-home pay is approximately $52,000–$57,000 per year. This classification covers intelligence and technical support roles. ASD employees receive 15.4% employer superannuation.
What is the ASD 3 salary?
An ASD 3 (also written as ASD3) earns $70,871 to $78,089 per year as set by the ASD Terms and Conditions of Employment Determination (Annex C). After income tax and Medicare levy, take-home pay is approximately $58,000–$63,000 per year. This classification covers intelligence analyst and technical officer roles. ASD employees receive 15.4% employer superannuation.
What is the ASD 4 salary?
An ASD 4 (also written as ASD4) earns $80,278 to $87,641 per year as set by the ASD Terms and Conditions of Employment Determination (Annex C). After income tax and Medicare levy, take-home pay is approximately $64,000–$69,000 per year. This classification covers senior analyst and specialist roles. ASD employees receive 15.4% employer superannuation.
What is the ASD 5 salary?
An ASD 5 (also written as ASD5) earns $88,834 to $96,829 per year as set by the ASD Terms and Conditions of Employment Determination (Annex C). After income tax and Medicare levy, take-home pay is approximately $70,000–$75,000 per year. This classification covers principal analyst and cyber specialist roles. ASD employees receive 15.4% employer superannuation.
What is the ASD 6 salary?
An ASD 6 (also written as ASD6) earns $99,734 to $111,701 per year as set by the ASD Terms and Conditions of Employment Determination (Annex C). After income tax and Medicare levy, take-home pay is approximately $77,000–$84,000 per year. This classification covers senior specialist and team leader roles. ASD employees receive 15.4% employer superannuation.
What is the ASD Executive Level 1 (EL1) salary?
An ASD Executive Level 1 (EL1) earns $121,978 to $137,590 per year as set by the ASD Terms and Conditions of Employment Determination (Annex C). After income tax and Medicare levy, take-home pay is approximately $91,000–$101,000 per year. This classification covers section manager and principal specialist roles. ASD employees receive 15.4% employer superannuation.
What is the ASD Executive Level 2 (EL2) salary?
An ASD Executive Level 2 (EL2) earns $141,624 to $169,993 per year as set by the ASD Terms and Conditions of Employment Determination (Annex C). After income tax and Medicare levy, take-home pay is approximately $104,000–$120,000 per year. This classification covers branch head and senior specialist roles. ASD employees receive 15.4% employer superannuation.
What is the ASD Executive Level 2.1 salary?
An ASD Executive Level 2.1 earns $169,994 to $202,303 per year as set by the ASD Terms and Conditions of Employment Determination (Annex C). After income tax and Medicare levy, take-home pay is approximately $120,000–$138,000 per year. This classification covers senior branch head and program director roles. ASD employees receive 15.4% employer superannuation.
What is the ASD Executive Level 2.2 salary?
An ASD Executive Level 2.2 earns $202,304 to $227,590 per year as set by the ASD Terms and Conditions of Employment Determination (Annex C). After income tax and Medicare levy, take-home pay is approximately $138,000–$151,000 per year. This classification covers division head and senior executive roles. ASD employees receive 15.4% employer superannuation.
What is the Trainee ASD (Technical) salary?
A Trainee ASD (Technical) earns $59,360 to $66,748 per year as set by the ASD Terms and Conditions of Employment Determination (Annex C). After income tax and Medicare levy, take-home pay is approximately $50,000–$55,000 per year. This classification covers technical graduate and trainee roles. ASD employees receive 15.4% employer superannuation.
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 — set under the ASD Terms and Conditions of Employment Determination (Annex C). Across these levels, salaries span $57,497–$227,590, with the ASD-specific EL2.1 and EL2.2 bands extending above the standard APS executive structure. See the salary table above for the current range at each level. 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, and ASD EL1 and EL2 correspond to the standard APS executive levels. ASD EL2.1 and EL2.2 are ASD-specific senior levels that extend beyond the standard APS EL2 band, reflecting the specialist nature of signals-intelligence and cyber roles — see the salary table above for the current range at each level.
What superannuation rate does ASD offer?
ASD employees receive 15.4% employer superannuation, contributed to PSSap or Defence Super. This is above the standard 12% Superannuation Guarantee that applies in the private sector, adding thousands of dollars in employer contributions each year on top of base salary.
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.
How does a HECS/HELP debt affect ASD take-home pay?
ASD employees with a HECS/HELP debt have compulsory repayments withheld through PAYG once income exceeds the repayment threshold ($69,528). The repayment rises as a share of income as you progress through the ASD levels. Enable the HECS toggle in the Tax Calculator on this site to calculate the exact effect on your take-home pay.
Can ASD employees salary sacrifice into superannuation?
Yes. ASD employees can make voluntary concessional contributions to PSSap on top of the 15.4% employer contribution. Because concessional contributions are taxed at the concessional super rate rather than your marginal income-tax rate, salary sacrifice is most valuable for employees in the higher marginal tax brackets — typically ASD EL1 and above. With ASD's employer rate already above the standard 12%, additional contributions can accelerate long-term wealth building. Consult the salary sacrifice calculator on this site or a financial adviser.
How does ASD pay compare to APS and DSTG?
ASD Level 1–6 salaries mirror the APS 1–6 ranges, and ASD EL1/EL2 correspond directly to the APS executive levels. ASD's EL2.1 and EL2.2 levels extend beyond the standard APS EL2 band, reflecting specialist cyber and signals-intelligence expertise. DSTG S&T salaries are broadly comparable but also include BDCP allowances. Both ASD and DSTG provide 15.4% employer superannuation — above the standard 12% that applies across most of the private sector.
What is the career progression pathway at ASD?
ASD offers a structured career pathway from ASD Level 1 (entry-level analyst/technical roles) through Level 6 and into executive levels (EL1, EL2, EL2.1, EL2.2). Progression is merit-based and tied to the annual performance review cycle. Specialist technical staff can advance into the EL2.1–EL2.2 levels without moving into management, unlike many other APS agencies where senior progression requires people leadership. Security clearance upgrades are typically required for advancement beyond EL1.
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