Overview
- The ABS counted 2,597,300 public‑sector employee jobs in 2024–25, a 3.3% annual increase.
- Total wage outlays reached $249.513 billion, with Commonwealth agencies’ wage expenditure up 9.5% to $40.9 billion.
- States employ 77% of public‑sector workers, with Western Australia’s jobs up 5.7% and its wage bill up 11% to $21.7 billion, while NSW and Victoria recorded 1.5% job growth.
- Employment and pay are concentrated in public administration and safety, education and training, and health care and social assistance, with public administration and safety growing fastest.
- The figures use Single Touch Payroll remittances and include overtime, penalty rates and allowances, so changes reflect hours and payments as well as negotiated rises.