In the year to June 2006, the median base salary for permanent public servants increased by 4.8% from $44,093 to $46,225 (2.2% in 2005). For males the median salary moved by 4.9% to $49,630, and for females by 6.3% to $44,226.
Salary movements in remuneration surveys are often presented in terms of the average change in pay of those who are in the same job as in the previous survey. An estimated 56% of permanent public servants were recorded as having the same job title in both the 2005 and 2006 surveys. The average annual salary increase for this group was 7.3% (5.7% in 2005). This increase was not evenly spread, higher average increases going to staff with 1 to 3 years service and staff in lower salary bands. The increases included salary changes as a result of individual performance assessment, progression through a salary range, negotiated increases in collective agreements and market-type movements in salary ranges5.
Salary data from remuneration survey companies for jobs at the median Public Service job size vary. Overall the surveys indicate that at the median Public Service job size, salaries in the labour market and in the Public Service were similar. This was the same last year.
18% of public servants received lump sum performance payments during the year to 30 June 2006 (21% in 2005). Lump sum performance payments were made by 28 organisations and the average payment6 was $2,520.
5 Due to the limitations of the HRC dataset for estimating same person same job salary changes, the use of this measure will be reviewed for the 2007 survey. These limitations relate to reliance on job title as an estimate of "same job" (particularly where generic job titles are used), and having no information on reasons for individual salary changes.
6 The average payment excludes lump sum performance payments made to Chief Executives.
