Defence Australian Public Service (APS) employees are covered by the Defence Enterprise Collective Agreement 2024 (DECA), which sets out pay and employment conditions.

Defence offers competitive salaries and benefits that recognise the important work of its people. 

APS (Civilian) employees have access to:

  • Competitive pay, regular salary increases and opportunities to progress through salary levels, with annual lump sum payments available for eligible employees at the top of their salary range.
  • Employer superannuation contributions of 15.4%, which is above the national minimum.
  • Additional allowances that may be available for some roles or work locations, recognising specific skills, qualifications or responsibilities, such as first aid, language proficiency or electrical licence.
  • Salary packaging and salary advances, to cover things like the cost of public transport or a bicycle to get to and from work.
  • Financial support for relocation, provided to employees if required to move at the request of Defence.
  • Remote location benefits, including additional allowances and leave, to work in a location that Defence has determined to be remote.
  • A 37.5-hour work week, with flex time for APS 1-6 employees and time off in lieu for eligible executive level employees.
  • Generous leave provisions to support rest, recovery and life commitments including:
    • 20 days of annual leave, with the opportunity to purchase more
    • 18 days of personal/carers leave
    • 18 weeks of paid parental leave for primary care givers and 14 weeks of paid parental leave for secondary care givers (increasing to 18 weeks by 2027)
    • additional day of Defence leave per calendar year
    • Christmas stand down period provided as an additional paid break
    • 3 months long service leave after 10 years of eligible Australian Government service, with an additional 9 calendar days accrued each year after that
    • 5 weeks paid Australian Defence Force (ADF) reserve leave per year to fulfil service obligations if in the ADF Reserves
    • options for leave without pay.

Resources

Defence Enterprise Collective Agreement 2024 (PDF, 1018.07 KB)