The number of department secretaries in the top pay bracket has increased, denting the amount of savings the government can expect from its shake up of departments.
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Changes unveiled by the Remuneration Tribunal show the secretaries of the newly formed departments of Agriculture, Water and Environment, Andrew Metcalfe, and Education, Skills and Employment, Michelle Bruniges, will be classified as level one officials, entitling them to pay of at least $775,910 a year.
Their inclusion means that, as of February 1, there will be 11 department secretaries in the top bracket, compared with 10 under the pre-existing arrangement.
The pay list is headed by Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet secretary Philip Gaetjens on $914,460 a year, followed by Treasury secretary Stephen Kennedy on $892,290. The remaining level one secretaries are on between $775,910 and $864,580 a year.
The classification of Mr Metcalfe and Dr Bruniges represents an upgrade for their departments, both of which are classed at level two postings in their current stripped down form.
The tribunal has confirmed the secretary of the freshly created mega-department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources, David Fredericks, will continue as a level one appointment.
Simon Atkinson, secretary of the fourth mega-department Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications, will continue as a level two appointment.
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The position of Services Australia secretary, officially occupied by Renee Leon until January 31, has been dropped from the classification system in the new structure, reflecting its transformation from a department to an executive agency within the Department of Social Services.
The reclassification means that just three departmental secretaries - Mr Atkinson, Chris Moraitis in Attorney-General's Department and Liz Cosson of Veterans' Affairs - are at level two, entitling them to between $720,480 and $775,910 a year.
In announcing the changes on December 5 last year, Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who is also Minister for the Public Service, said they were intended to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of government service delivery.
"Having fewer departments will allow us to bust bureaucratic congestion, improve decision-making and, ultimately, deliver better services for the Australian people," Mr Morrison said.
As part of his changes, the Prime Minister axed five department heads, potentially costing taxpayers more than $3.3 million in termination payouts.