NSW Departmental Officer Salary Scales
Departmental
Departmental stream
8 bands · $44,231–$173,174
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.
Salaries are indicative and based on publicly available data. Verify with your agency HR for accurate, role-specific information.
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
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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 sector 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.
Key Information
NSW salary facts, agreement context and conditions to check before comparing pay.
Scheduled change
Current rates effective 1 July 2025 (3% increase from 2024)
Scheduled change
Next increase: 3% on 1 July 2026
Scheduled change
Previous increases: 4% (July 2024)
Employer super
Superannuation at 13.0% from 1 July 2025 (increased from 12.5%)
Source agreement
Source: Crown Employees (Public Sector - Salaries 2025) Award
Scheduled change
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.
Compare Pay Scales
Switch classification streams or compare public service salary scales across jurisdictions.
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.