NSW Departmental Officers Salary Scales
Compare salary scales across Australian federal and state public services
NSW Public Service
| Classification | Range | Min | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
General Scale Entry level departmental officers (Years 1–10) | $44,231Use in calc →Open in tax calculator ↗ | $71,777Use in calc →Open in tax calculator ↗ | |
Level 1 Departmental Officer Level 1 (Grades 1–2) | $75,728Use in calc →Open in tax calculator ↗ | $82,329Use in calc →Open in tax calculator ↗ | |
Level 2 Departmental Officer Level 2 (Grades 3–4) | $84,659Use in calc →Open in tax calculator ↗ | $92,701Use in calc →Open in tax calculator ↗ | |
Level 3 Departmental Officer Level 3 (Grades 5–6) | $99,938Use in calc →Open in tax calculator ↗ | $110,271Use in calc →Open in tax calculator ↗ | |
Level 4 Departmental Officer Level 4 (Grades 7–8) | $113,574Use in calc →Open in tax calculator ↗ | $125,720Use in calc →Open in tax calculator ↗ | |
Level 5 Departmental Officer Level 5 (Grades 9–10) | $129,464Use in calc →Open in tax calculator ↗ | $142,665Use in calc →Open in tax calculator ↗ | |
Level 6 Departmental Officer Level 6 (Grade 11) | $149,739Use in calc →Open in tax calculator ↗ | $156,088Use in calc →Open in tax calculator ↗ | |
Level 7 Departmental Officer Level 7 (Grade 12) | $165,865Use in calc →Open in tax calculator ↗ | $173,174Use in calc →Open in tax calculator ↗ |
Notes
- ·Current rates effective 1 July 2025 (3% increase from 2024)
- ·Next increase: 3% on 1 July 2026
- ·Previous increases: 4% (July 2024)
- ·Superannuation at 13.0% from 1 July 2025 (increased from 12.5%)
- ·Source: Crown Employees (Public Sector - Salaries 2025) Award
- ·Nursing & Midwifery rates from Public Health System Nurses' & Midwives' (State) Award 2023 and Crown Employees Nurses' (State) Award 2023, effective 1 July 2025 (3% increase). Source: NSW Health Information Bulletin IB2025_039.
Salary Snapshot
NSW Departmental Officers salary bands, shown per year.
Entry salary
$44,231
General Scale
Top salary
$173,174
Level 7
Midpoint band
$119,647
Level 4
Classifications
8
Departmental Officers stream
Classification range ladder
Min to max salary within the currently selected jurisdiction and stream
General Scale
Entry level departmental officers (Years 1–10)
Level 1
Departmental Officer Level 1 (Grades 1–2)
Level 2
Departmental Officer Level 2 (Grades 3–4)
Level 3
Departmental Officer Level 3 (Grades 5–6)
Level 4
Departmental Officer Level 4 (Grades 7–8)
Level 5
Departmental Officer Level 5 (Grades 9–10)
Level 6
Departmental Officer Level 6 (Grade 11)
Level 7
Departmental Officer Level 7 (Grade 12)
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The Australian Public Service (APS) employs over 150,000 people across the country.
About the NSW Departmental Officers Stream
The NSW Departmental Officers stream covers 8 classification levels, from General Scale ($44,231) to Level 7 ($173,174). Salaries are set under the Crown Employees (Public Sector - Salaries 2025) Award, effective 1 July 2025.
Superannuation: NSW public service employees receive 13% employer superannuation.
The next pay increase of 3% takes effect from 1 July 2026 under the Crown Employees (Public Sector - Salaries 2025) Award.
Other NSW Classification Streams
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the General Scale salary?
A Departmental Officers General Scale (the NSW Clerks General Scale) earns $44,231 to $71,777 per year as set by the Crown Employees (Public Sector - Salaries 2025) Award. After income tax and Medicare levy, take-home pay is approximately $40,000–$58,000 per year. This classification covers entry level departmental officers (years 1–10). NSW employees receive 13% employer superannuation.
What is the Level 1 salary?
A Departmental Officers Level 1 (NSW public service Level 1) earns $75,728 to $82,329 per year as set by the Crown Employees (Public Sector - Salaries 2025) Award. After income tax and Medicare levy, take-home pay is approximately $61,000–$65,000 per year. This classification covers departmental officer level 1 (grades 1–2). NSW employees receive 13% employer superannuation.
What is the Level 2 salary?
A Departmental Officers Level 2 (NSW public service Level 2) earns $84,659 to $92,701 per year as set by the Crown Employees (Public Sector - Salaries 2025) Award. After income tax and Medicare levy, take-home pay is approximately $67,000–$72,000 per year. This classification covers departmental officer level 2 (grades 3–4). NSW employees receive 13% employer superannuation.
What is the Level 3 salary?
A Departmental Officers Level 3 (NSW public service Level 3) earns $99,938 to $110,271 per year as set by the Crown Employees (Public Sector - Salaries 2025) Award. After income tax and Medicare levy, take-home pay is approximately $77,000–$83,000 per year. This classification covers departmental officer level 3 (grades 5–6). NSW employees receive 13% employer superannuation.
What is the Level 4 salary?
A Departmental Officers Level 4 (NSW public service Level 4) earns $113,574 to $125,720 per year as set by the Crown Employees (Public Sector - Salaries 2025) Award. After income tax and Medicare levy, take-home pay is approximately $85,000–$93,000 per year. This classification covers departmental officer level 4 (grades 7–8). NSW employees receive 13% employer superannuation.
What is the Level 5 salary?
A Departmental Officers Level 5 (NSW public service Level 5) earns $129,464 to $142,665 per year as set by the Crown Employees (Public Sector - Salaries 2025) Award. After income tax and Medicare levy, take-home pay is approximately $96,000–$104,000 per year. This classification covers departmental officer level 5 (grades 9–10). NSW employees receive 13% employer superannuation.
What is the Level 6 salary?
A Departmental Officers Level 6 (NSW public service Level 6) earns $149,739 to $156,088 per year as set by the Crown Employees (Public Sector - Salaries 2025) Award. After income tax and Medicare levy, take-home pay is approximately $108,000–$112,000 per year. This classification covers departmental officer level 6 (grade 11). NSW employees receive 13% employer superannuation.
What is the Level 7 salary?
A Departmental Officers Level 7 (NSW public service Level 7) earns $165,865 to $173,174 per year as set by the Crown Employees (Public Sector - Salaries 2025) Award. After income tax and Medicare levy, take-home pay is approximately $117,000–$122,000 per year. This classification covers departmental officer level 7 (grade 12). NSW employees receive 13% employer superannuation.
What roles are covered by the NSW Departmental Officers stream?
The Departmental Officers stream covers general administrative and policy officers employed across NSW Government departments, including policy analysts, program managers, executive officers, and ministerial staff. It is a parallel classification to the Clerks stream, running from General Scale through Levels 1–7, and is used in some departments as an alternative senior administrative structure.
What is the salary range for NSW Departmental Officers?
NSW Departmental Officers range from the General Scale entry point ($44,231) through to Level 7 ($173,174). Most mid-career departmental officers in Levels 3–5 earn between $99,938 and $142,665 depending on progression year. These rates are set under the Crown Employees (Public Sector – Salaries 2025) Award, effective 1 July 2025.
How do NSW Departmental Officer salaries compare to the Clerks stream?
The Departmental Officers stream broadly mirrors the Clerks stream at senior levels, with Level 7 ($173,174) matching the top of the Clerk Grade 11/12 range. At entry level the General Scale is shared. The main difference is departmental versus ministerial or cross-agency deployment. Both streams receive 13% employer superannuation under NSW Government policy.