For the first time in a generation, a government job might actually pay better than its private sector equivalent — and the numbers are starting to show it.
Public sector wage growth in Australia is now outpacing that of the private sector. What was once an accepted trade-off — lower pay in exchange for stability and work-life balance — is quietly becoming an outdated idea. If you’ve been sitting on the fence about pursuing a career in the Australian Public Service, this shift in the landscape is worth paying attention to.
A Reversal of the Traditional Norm
Historically, private sector workers commanded a wage premium — particularly in industries like mining, finance, and professional services. The unspoken deal for public servants was simple: accept a little less pay and get security, flexibility, and a healthy super contribution in return.
That deal has changed. Recent enterprise agreements across federal and state public services have locked in strong, predictable pay rises, in part to address the wage stagnation that accumulated during the low-inflation years. Meanwhile, private sector wage growth — while recovering — remains uneven. Some industries are surging; many others are still catching up.
The result? In a growing number of roles and classifications, the APS is now the better-paying option.
It’s Not Just About the Salary
Wages are only one part of the picture. The total value of a public service role has always included things the private sector struggles to match:
- Job security — particularly valued in uncertain economic times
- Flexible and hybrid working arrangements — embedded into enterprise agreements, not left to manager discretion
- Generous superannuation — many APS employees still benefit from defined benefit or above-standard super arrangements
- Leave entitlements — including generous personal leave, study leave, and long service leave conditions
- Meaningful work — the chance to contribute to policy, public programs, and outcomes that affect the whole country
When you add a competitive salary on top of all of that, the case for public service becomes genuinely compelling.
What This Means for the Competition
Here’s the practical reality: more people are paying attention to public sector roles, and that means recruitment processes are becoming more competitive.
The APS was already known for a rigorous, structured selection process — one that’s quite different from private sector hiring. Applicants are assessed on behavioural evidence, the STAR method, the APS Work Level Standards, and the Integrated Leadership System. A strong CV alone won’t get you across the line.
As the talent pool drawn to government roles grows, the standard of applications will rise. The candidates who prepare thoroughly — who understand how to respond to selection criteria, how to pitch their experience in the language of the APS, and how to perform well in structured interviews — will be the ones who succeed.
There Has Never Been a Better Time to Invest in Yourself
The opportunity in front of you right now is real. A well-paid, secure, and deeply rewarding government career is within reach — but only if you show up to the process prepared. And that’s exactly where professional coaching makes all the difference.
Think about what’s at stake: a role with a strong salary, rock-solid job security, meaningful work, and conditions that genuinely support a great quality of life. Investing in professional public sector interview coaching isn’t an expense — it’s a career decision that pays for itself many times over the moment you land the role.
The candidates who succeed in APS recruitment aren’t always the most experienced. They’re the ones who understand the process, know how to structure their responses, and can clearly articulate the value they bring — in the language the selection panel is listening for. That’s a skill, and like any skill, it can be learned and sharpened with the right guidance.
Whether you’re new to government, looking to move up the classifications, or eyeing an SES-level opportunity, our coaching packages are designed to meet you where you are and get you where you want to be.
Is a Public Service Career Right for You?
If you’ve been considering a move into the APS — or a promotion within it — the current environment is arguably the most favourable it’s been in years. The pay gap that once gave people pause is narrowing or has reversed entirely in many classifications. The working conditions remain strong. And the opportunity to do genuinely meaningful work at a national level is real.
But wanting the role and getting the role are two very different things. The APS selection process rewards preparation, and it rewards people who can clearly articulate what they’ve done, how they’ve done it, and what impact they’ve had.
That’s exactly what we help with at PS Interview Coach.
Ready to Make Your Move?
The window is open. Public sector salaries are strong, the lifestyle benefits are unmatched, and a rewarding government career is a very achievable goal — for the right candidate, prepared the right way.
Don’t leave it to chance. View our coaching packages and pricing and take the first step toward the public service career you’ve been working toward. The investment you make in yourself today is the career you’ll be proud of tomorrow.