Question 1

What is the S&T Level 1–2 (APS 2–3/4 equivalent) salary?

Accepted Answer

A S&T Level 1–2 (APS 2–3/4 equivalent) earns $63,449 to $89,377 per year as set by the Defence Enterprise Collective Agreement 2024. After income tax and Medicare levy, take-home pay is approximately $52,000–$70,000 per year. This classification covers technical officer and scientific assistant roles. DSTG employees receive 15.4% employer superannuation.

Question 2

What is the S&T Level 3–4 (APS 4/5–6 equivalent) salary?

Accepted Answer

A S&T Level 3–4 (APS 4/5–6 equivalent) earns $81,868 to $112,431 per year as set by the Defence Enterprise Collective Agreement 2024. After income tax and Medicare levy, take-home pay is approximately $65,000–$85,000 per year. This classification covers research officer, senior scientist and team leader roles. DSTG employees receive 15.4% employer superannuation.

Question 3

What is the S&T Level 5 (Executive Level 1 equivalent) salary?

Accepted Answer

A S&T Level 5 (Executive Level 1 equivalent) earns $124,393 to $140,315 per year as set by the Defence Enterprise Collective Agreement 2024. After income tax and Medicare levy, take-home pay is approximately $92,000–$103,000 per year. This classification covers principal researcher — senior independent research and technical leadership roles. DSTG employees receive 15.4% employer superannuation.

Question 4

What is the S&T Level 6 (Executive Level 2 equivalent) salary?

Accepted Answer

A S&T Level 6 (Executive Level 2 equivalent) earns $144,430 to $173,359 per year as set by the Defence Enterprise Collective Agreement 2024. After income tax and Medicare levy, take-home pay is approximately $105,000–$122,000 per year. This classification covers discipline lead — leads a scientific or engineering discipline. DSTG employees receive 15.4% employer superannuation.

Question 5

What is the S&T Level 7 (Executive Level 2 senior) salary?

Accepted Answer

A S&T Level 7 (Executive Level 2 senior) earns $173,825 to $195,616 per year as set by the Defence Enterprise Collective Agreement 2024. After income tax and Medicare levy, take-home pay is approximately $122,000–$135,000 per year. This classification covers group lead — leads a research group of multiple disciplines. DSTG employees receive 15.4% employer superannuation.

Question 6

What is the S&T Level 8 (Executive Level 2 top) salary?

Accepted Answer

A S&T Level 8 (Executive Level 2 top) earns $207,935 to $227,491 per year as set by the Defence Enterprise Collective Agreement 2024. After income tax and Medicare levy, take-home pay is approximately $141,000–$151,000 per year. This classification covers branch lead — leads a branch; chiefs of division are equivalent to one-star rank. DSTG employees receive 15.4% employer superannuation.

Question 7

What is the DSTG pay scale?

Accepted Answer

The Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) uses its own Science & Technology (S&T) classification levels under the Defence Enterprise Collective Agreement 2024 — not standard APS levels. S&T Level 1–2 (broadly APS 2–4 equivalent) starts at $61,363, S&T Level 5 (EL1 equivalent) spans $120,303–$135,701, and S&T Level 6–8 (EL2 equivalent) reaches up to $220,011. All salaries attract 15.4% employer superannuation.

Question 8

What is BDCP and how much do DSTG employees receive?

Accepted Answer

BDCP (Building Defence Capability Payment) is a non-consolidated performance allowance available to eligible DSTG employees from S&T Level 1–2 through S&T Level 7. It ranges from approximately $5,000 at S&T Level 1–2 up to $25,000 at S&T Level 6–7, based on classification and sustained high performance. BDCP is paid as a lump sum and does not increase base salary, but significantly boosts total annual income.

Question 9

How do DSTG S&T levels compare to APS levels?

Accepted Answer

DSTG S&T levels are distinct from standard APS levels but have approximate equivalents: S&T Level 1–2 ≈ APS 2–4, S&T Level 3–4 ≈ APS 4–6, S&T Level 5 ≈ Executive Level 1, S&T Level 6–8 ≈ Executive Level 2. S&T salaries at equivalent levels are broadly comparable to APS, but DSTG offers BDCP allowances and 15.4% super that increase total remuneration significantly above standard APS.

Question 10

What superannuation rate does DSTG offer?

Accepted Answer

DSTG (Defence Science and Technology Group) employees receive 15.4% employer superannuation, contributed to Defence Super or PSSap (Public Sector Superannuation accumulation plan). This is significantly higher than the standard 12% Superannuation Guarantee in the private sector — at an S&T Level 3–4 midpoint of ~$97,000, this represents approximately $14,938 in annual employer super contributions.

Question 11

Does the BDCP allowance count towards DSTG superannuation?

Accepted Answer

No. The Building Defence Capability Payment (BDCP) is a non-consolidated allowance and is not included in ordinary time earnings for superannuation calculation purposes. Your 15.4% employer super is calculated on your base S&T classification salary only, not the BDCP lump sum. However, BDCP is assessable income for income tax and HECS/HELP repayment purposes and will appear on your payment summary.

Question 12

How does a HECS/HELP debt affect DSTG take-home pay?

Accepted Answer

DSTG employees with a HECS/HELP debt have compulsory repayments withheld via PAYG once income exceeds the threshold ($54,435 in 2025–26). At an S&T Level 3–4 salary of ~$97,000, HECS repayments add approximately $5,000–$6,500 annually on top of income tax. Note that BDCP payments, being assessable income, will also push your repayment calculation higher in the year they are paid. Use the Tax Calculator with the HECS toggle to model your take-home pay.

Question 13

Can DSTG employees salary sacrifice into superannuation?

Accepted Answer

Yes. DSTG employees can make voluntary concessional contributions to PSSap or Defence Super on top of the 15.4% employer contribution. Given the already generous employer rate, additional salary sacrifice is most effective for employees in the 37% or higher marginal tax bracket — typically S&T Level 5 and above (income above $135,000). Consult the salary sacrifice super calculator on this site or a financial adviser before adjusting contributions.

Question 14

How does DSTG pay compare to equivalent ADF officer roles?

Accepted Answer

DSTG civilian scientists at S&T Level 3–5 earn broadly comparable base salaries to Australian Army/Navy/Air Force officers at OF-2 to OF-3 equivalent ranks (Captain/Lieutenant Commander). However, ADF officers receive additional benefits including housing allowance, service allowances, and fully subsidised healthcare that are not available to DSTG civilians. The DSTG BDCP allowance partially bridges this gap for high-performing scientists, and both groups receive 15.4% employer superannuation.

Classification	Range	Min	Max
S&T Level 1–2 (APS 2–3/4 equivalent) Technical officer and scientific assistant roles	min$63k→max$89k→	$63,449Use in calc →	$89,377Use in calc →
S&T Level 3–4 (APS 4/5–6 equivalent) Research officer, senior scientist and team leader roles	min$82k→max$112k→	$81,868Use in calc →	$112,431Use in calc →
S&T Level 5 (Executive Level 1 equivalent) Principal researcher — senior independent research and technical leadership roles	min$124k→max$140k→	$124,393Use in calc →	$140,315Use in calc →
S&T Level 6 (Executive Level 2 equivalent) Discipline Lead — leads a scientific or engineering discipline	min$144k→max$173k→	$144,430Use in calc →	$173,359Use in calc →
S&T Level 7 (Executive Level 2 senior) Group Lead — leads a research group of multiple disciplines	min$174k→max$196k→	$173,825Use in calc →	$195,616Use in calc →
S&T Level 8 (Executive Level 2 top) Branch Lead — leads a branch; Chiefs of Division are equivalent to one-star rank	min$208k→max$227k→	$207,935Use in calc →	$227,491Use in calc →

Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) Salary Scales