Public Service Salary Scales
Compare salary scales across Australian federal and state public services
Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG)
| Classification | Minimum | Maximum |
|---|---|---|
S&T Level 1–2 (APS 2–3/4 equivalent) Technical officer and scientific assistant roles | $61,363 | $86,438 |
S&T Level 3–4 (APS 4/5–6 equivalent) Research officer, senior scientist and team leader roles | $79,176 | $108,734 |
S&T Level 5 (Executive Level 1 equivalent) Principal researcher — senior independent research and technical leadership roles | $120,303 | $135,701 |
S&T Level 6 (Executive Level 2 equivalent) Discipline Lead — leads a scientific or engineering discipline | $139,681 | $167,659 |
S&T Level 7 (Executive Level 2 senior) Group Lead — leads a research group of multiple disciplines | $168,109 | $189,184 |
S&T Level 8 (Executive Level 2 top) Branch Lead — leads a branch; Chiefs of Division are equivalent to one-star rank | $201,098 | $220,011 |
Important Notes
- •DSTG uses Science & Technology (S&T) classification levels under the Defence Enterprise Collective Agreement 2024
- •S&T levels are distinct from APS levels — approximate APS equivalents are shown for reference only
- •All DSTG employees receive 15.4% employer superannuation (Defence Super or PSSap)
- •BDCP (Building Defence Capability Payment) is a non-consolidated performance payment — paid as lump sum, does not affect base salary
- •S&T Level 6 = Discipline Lead, Level 7 = Group Lead, Level 8 = Branch Lead;
- •Chief Defence Scientist is equivalent to three-star rank
- •Verify current rates with DST Group HR for your specific agreement
Salary Range by Classification
Each bar shows the min–max salary range for that classification. Select jurisdictions to compare side by side.
Updated Apr 2024
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 Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) Salary Scales
The Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) uses a structured classification system with 6 classification levels to determine salary for public sector employees — from S&T Level 1–2 (APS 2–3/4 equivalent) ($61,363–$86,438) up to S&T Level 8 (Executive Level 2 top) ($201,098–$220,011). Salaries are reviewed and updated through enterprise agreements and government determinations.
Superannuation: DSTG employees receive 15.4% employer superannuation. This is above the standard rate, reflecting Defence/federal agency agreements.
Salary Data Last Updated
1 April 2024 — Source: Defence Enterprise Collective Agreement 2024
Key Information
- DSTG uses Science & Technology (S&T) classification levels under the Defence Enterprise Collective Agreement 2024
- S&T levels are distinct from APS levels — approximate APS equivalents are shown for reference only
- All DSTG employees receive 15.4% employer superannuation (Defence Super or PSSap)
- BDCP (Building Defence Capability Payment) is a non-consolidated performance payment — paid as lump sum, does not affect base salary
- S&T Level 6 = Discipline Lead, Level 7 = Group Lead, Level 8 = Branch Lead;
- Chief Defence Scientist is equivalent to three-star rank
- Verify current rates with DST Group HR for your specific agreement
Compare with Other Jurisdictions
See how DSTG salaries compare with other Australian public service jurisdictions:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the DSTG pay scale?
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.
What is BDCP and how much do DSTG employees receive?
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.
How do DSTG S&T levels compare to APS levels?
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.
What superannuation rate does DSTG offer?
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 11.5% Superannuation Guarantee in the private sector — at an S&T Level 3–4 midpoint of ~$97,000, this represents approximately $14,938 in additional annual super contributions.
Plan Your DSTG Public Service Career
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