Most of your salary isn't negotiable
In most APS roles, your salary range is fixed. The Enterprise Agreement sets the pay bands for each classification, and you'll be placed at a specific salary point based on a documented process.
The good news: that doesn't mean nothing is negotiable. Your starting salary point within the range, your start date, leave arrangements, working-from-home allowance, parking, professional development budget, and even your physical work location can all be discussed — and many candidates leave value on the table because they don't know they can ask.
What's genuinely on the table
- Starting salary point within the range. Usually set by your immediate prior salary or directly relevant experience. Bringing a payslip or contract from your current role is the highest-leverage move.
- Start date. Almost always negotiable within reason; agencies plan for 4-6 week start lead times.
- Working-from-home arrangements. More formalised post-COVID and typically governed by the EA — but local manager discretion is significant.
- Recognition of prior service. For ongoing-to-ongoing moves, your continuous service should transfer; flag it in writing.
- Specific leave or training commitments. Some agencies will write commitments into the offer letter if you ask early.
What's not on the table
- The classification itself (you're being offered the role at the advertised level, not the one above)
- The Enterprise Agreement provisions (those are bargained collectively)
- Salary above the top of the classification range
Some agencies offer "individual flexibility arrangements" (IFAs) under the EA for SES and a small number of specialist EL roles — but they're rare.
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Start your free trialThe language that works
Calm, factual, evidence-based. "My current salary is $X, and based on the role's responsibilities I'd be looking for the top of the APS6 range." That works. Corporate-style hardball ("I have another offer at $Y") goes down very badly with HR teams and can sour the relationship before you start.
How GovPrep helps
GovPrep doesn't negotiate for you — but a strong panel score and merit pool placement give you the leverage to walk away if the offer isn't right. Confidence at the offer stage starts with confidence in the room.