Inside the Australian Department of Education: Your 60‑Second Guide to Landing Your Dream Role 🚀
Ever wondered what it’s really like to work at the Australian Department of Education? We’ve done the heavy lifting and dissected their latest annual report, so you don’t have to! In this quickfire overview, you’ll discover everything you need to know about this Department—from key facts and financials to the qualifications and skill sets it’s looking for in new recruits. Whether you’re a seasoned professional pivoting to the public sector or a school-leaver exploring entry-level opportunities, this guide will equip you with the knowledge to carve out a rewarding government career.
AT-A-GLANCE:
Name of Department / Council: Australian Department of Education
Location: Headquartered in Canberra, with staff in state/territory offices and occasionally overseas
CEO: Tony Cook PSM (Secretary)
Total Revenue: $55.5 billion in administered funds (2023–24)
Total Number of Employees: 1,677 staff in 2023–24
THE QUALIFICATION, CERTIFICATIONS, TRADES, PROFESSIONS, WORK EXPERIENCES & SKILLS MOST SUITED TO
Top 5 academic qualifications most suited:
Public Policy / Public Administration – Learn to develop, review, and implement policies that shape Australia’s education system.
Education / Teaching – Provides real-world classroom experience to inform school reform, teacher support, and early childhood initiatives.
Business / Commerce / Economics – Helps with budgeting, funding models, and high-level analysis of education programs.
Human Resources Management – Useful for strategic recruitment, workforce planning, and building a positive workplace culture.
Data Analytics / Statistics – In demand to evaluate education outcomes, measure program effectiveness, and guide data-driven decisions.
Top 5 certifications most suited:
Project Management (e.g., PMP, PRINCE2) – Essential for rolling out large-scale initiatives like the Child Care Subsidy reforms.
Policy Analysis / Evaluation Certifications – Crucial for assessing the impact of new and existing education policies.
Change Management (e.g., PROSCI) – Supports smooth implementation of reforms across the Department’s diverse teams.
Financial Management (e.g., CPA, CIMA) – Ensures accountability over billions in funding, with rigorous forecasting and compliance.
ICT / Cybersecurity – Maintains secure digital platforms for funding distribution, data analytics, and stakeholder engagement.
Top 5 trades / professions most suited:
Early Childhood Educators – Bring firsthand insight into the practicalities of delivering quality child care.
Teachers (Primary & Secondary) – Classroom know-how helps shape school-based reforms and teacher workforce policies.
Accountants / Auditors – Vital for transparent oversight of multi-billion-dollar administered funds.
HR / Recruitment Specialists – The Department emphasizes modern, responsive hiring and staff development strategies.
IT Specialists / Software Developers – Craft and maintain the Department’s digital systems, critical for seamless payment and policy processes.
Top 5 skills most suited:
Policy Development & Analysis – Formulate and refine national education strategies.
Stakeholder Engagement – Collaborate with schools, universities, parents, and other agencies for well-rounded programs.
Project & Program Management – Deliver major projects within set timelines and budgets.
Data-Driven Decision Making – Translate analytics into tangible policy improvements.
Strategic Communication – Communicate effectively with ministers, partners, and the public.
Top 5 work experiences most suited:
Government / Public Sector Roles – Familiarity with APS processes, legislation, and standards.
Community / Not-for-Profit Sector – Particularly in education or youth services, bridging gaps between policy and local needs.
Corporate Project Management – Transferable to government, ensuring efficient and effective outcomes.
Research / Academic – Underpins the Department’s evidence-based approach to reforms and innovation.
Frontline Education (Teaching / Admin) – Provides the Department with a real-world perspective on day-to-day challenges.
THE KEY FACTS
Name of Department: Australian Department of Education
Name of CEO: Tony Cook PSM (Secretary)
Location: Australia-wide; headquarters in Canberra, plus some overseas roles
Year Founded: 2022 (in its current form; it has undergone several name and structural changes historically)
Main mission and purpose of the department:
To “create a better future for all Australians through education.” Whether improving child care affordability or setting national school reforms, the Department’s decisions have real, tangible impacts. For example, their updated oversight of child care providers has boosted transparency and service quality for families nationwide.Main duties of the department:
Child Care Subsidy & Policy – Administering funding and compliance for affordable early childhood education.
Schooling & Reforms – Supporting teaching quality and ensuring schools have the resources to help students thrive.
Higher Education & Research – Overseeing university funding and fostering world-class research initiatives.
Youth Engagement – Making sure young people’s voices shape decisions on issues affecting them.
Data & Evidence – Collecting, analyzing, and reporting on education-related data to guide program improvements.
Key Projects, Key Strategic Priorities, Future Plans and Initiatives:
Cheaper Child Care – Boosting affordability and access for families to quality early learning.
Better and Fairer Schools Agreement – Working with states/territories to fully fund public schools and lift student outcomes.
Australian Universities Accord – Modernizing higher education with an emphasis on equity, quality, and cutting-edge research.
Regional & Suburban University Study Hubs – Expanding tertiary access beyond major cities.
Teacher Workforce Action Plan – Strengthening teacher supply, reducing workload, and elevating the profession.
Did you know?
The Department provided $27.8 billion to Australian schools in the 2023 calendar year alone, helping to fund both government and non-government education.
THE EMPLOYEES & REVENUE
Total Number of Employees: 1,677
Total Number of Employees at each pay level:
APS 1: 3
APS 2: 22
APS 3: 66
APS 4: 135
APS 5: 225
APS 6: 405
EL 1: 542
EL 2: 208
SES 1: 47
SES 2: 14
SES 3: 4
Salary Bands (2023–24):
APS 1: $55,392 – $60,566
APS 2: $65,060 – $69,331
APS 3: $72,658 – $75,678
APS 4: $79,036 – $84,525
APS 5: $87,264 – $93,294
APS 6: $98,105 – $107,880
EL 1: $120,636 – $147,778
EL 2: $141,958 – $174,663
SES 1: $213,833 – $324,327
SES 2: $275,909 – $330,696
SES 3: $357,606 – $474,832
Average salary in the department:
Varies by classification but starts around $55k at APS 1 and can reach up to $474k at SES 3.Total Revenue: $55.5 billion (2023–24 administered funds)
Average Revenue per Employee: Approximately $33.1 million (i.e., $55.5 billion ÷ 1,677 employees)
GETTING A JOB AT
Which academic subjects are likely to be most sought after, and of value, to this department?
Certificate / Diploma Level:
Business Administration – Ideal for supporting day-to-day operations and admin.
Community Services / Youth Work – Helps teams that focus on child care policy and youth programs.
ICT / Digital Technologies – In demand to enhance online service delivery and secure data handling.
Bachelor / Master Level:
Education / Teaching – Crucial for understanding and improving school programs, policies, and workforce development.
Public Policy / Politics / International Relations – Core to formulating national agreements and legislative frameworks.
Economics / Finance – Needed to manage and audit multi-billion-dollar funding.
PhDs:
Policy Research & Analysis – Bolsters evidence-based approaches to everything from early childhood to higher education reforms.
Data Science – Key for in-depth analytics on student outcomes, cost-effectiveness, and policy optimizations.
Which trades and professions are likely to be most sought after, and of value, to this department?
Administration and Customer Service – Essential for large-scale grant programs and daily departmental tasks.
IT / Network / Cloud Specialists – Support digital transformation, enabling smoother funding, compliance, and data systems.
Program Support Officers / Coordinators – Keep projects on track and manage stakeholder queries.
Compliance / Quality Assurance Officers – Ensure billions in funding is used appropriately under legislative guidelines.
Project and Policy Officers – Coordinate everything from short-term pilots to national reform strategies.
Which work experiences are likely to be most sought after, and of value, to this department?
Project Delivery in Government / Public Service – Familiarity with APS procedures and regulatory frameworks.
Community Outreach or Engagement – Ensures programs are relevant and effective for diverse communities.
Education or Training Management – Useful in bridging on-the-ground realities with high-level policy.
Financial Management / Compliance – Maintains integrity over large budgets, including accurate audits and reporting.
Previous APS or Government Agency Experience – Demonstrates readiness to operate within the public sector’s legislative context.
Which skills are likely to be most sought after, and of value, to this department?
Soft skills:
Negotiation and Influencing
Collaboration and Relationship-Building
Adaptability and Resilience
Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving
Effective Communication
Technical skills:
Financial / Budget Analysis
Policy Design and Evaluation
Data Analysis / Statistical Modeling
Legislative Interpretation
ICT Project Management
General skills:
Time Management and Organization
Report Writing and Research
Stakeholder Consultation
Project Coordination and Scheduling
Presentation and Public Speaking
Which hobbies and interests align with the work of this department?
Reading / Research: Great for staying on top of emerging trends and legislative updates.
Mentoring / Community Volunteering: Showcases a passion for societal impact, especially helpful in education-focused roles.
Tech Enthusiasm / Digital Innovation: Supports internal process improvements and online service delivery.
Professional Writing / Blogging: Demonstrates strong communication skills—critical for policy briefs and public engagement.
Want more information on this department?
Contact the department:
Address: GPO Box 9880, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
Telephone Number: +61 2 6121 6000
Email: ppt@education.gov.au
Website: education.gov.au
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