2015 defence salary survey · salary levels will experience strong growth in some locations/skills...

2015 DEFENCE

SALARY SURVEY

2015 Kinetic Recruitment Defence Salary Survey 2 of 35

© Kinetic Defence Services Pty Ltd 2015

KINETIC RECRUITMENT

Kinetic Recruitment (‘Kinetic’) is a unique specialist supplier of human capital solutions to safety-critical

industries with particular expertise within Defence, Rail and Energy. With a history of 15 years

accomplishment in the delivery of superior recruitment services, our mission is to manage risk on

behalf of our clients to maximise their investment in people.

Kinetic provides professional services in contract and permanent recruitment, payroll, managed

agency, search & selection, campaign management, international recruitment, interview panel and

unbundled services.

The Kinetic team comprises former Australian Defence Force members, engineers and experienced

Defence and Engineering professionals. We provide employers and jobseekers with unmatched levels

of technical and industry understanding and knowledge throughout the recruitment process.

Our clients include some of Australia’s largest primes, consulting companies, design engineering firms,

government agencies and small and medium businesses. Initially focused on providing technical

engineers, our skill set scope has grown to provide a complete service to our clients encompassing

technical, executive, sales and non-technical roles within the safety critical arena

As part of our ongoing commitment to industry participation, Kinetic Recruitment publishes an annual

Salary Survey that helps to provide our specialist industries with a detailed analysis of salaries to help

them determine the current value of skills in today’s market.

The use of these materials, the trade name, the service marks or any industrial & intellectual property rights of Kinetic Defence Services, is restricted to and is vested in Kinetic Defence Services. The reproduction of this publication by any means

is restricted by law.



For further information, please contact Robert Kremer

(02) 9492 7511 or visit www.kineticrecruitment.com.au

DEFENCE

As Australia’s first and largest agency specialising in supporting the Defence industry, we understand

the culture and the capabilities that are required to succeed like no other.

15 years supporting the Defence sector

Over 10,000 conversations every year in the Defence sector

Immediate network of 18,000 candidates with ADF/Defence industry experience

Over 2,000 vacancies filled

Recognised Experts- Speakers/ Presenters/ Publishers

Publish Australia’s only Defence industry specific salary data

Most of our recruitment specialists are former ADF or Defence industry themselves, giving them insight

and capability that no other organisation can match. Kinetic’s knowledge of Defence Industry

technology and culture enables us to connect the right candidates with the right opportunities,

whether it is finding work for a Naval Architect, or helping a company recruit a team of former ADF

technicians.

Kinetic offers access to a network of thousands of security-cleared Defence industry candidates. Our

awareness of current and forthcoming projects and shifts within Defence means that we are well

informed and positioned to support individuals and organisations in achieving their aims. Having been

there ourselves, we are familiar with the disciplines and skills required to contribute to the full project

spectrum, from concept development through to sustainment.

Kinetic’s network and insight is simply unmatched. Our partners use our knowledge to de-risk the

decision making process and to gain access to the best opportunities.

Our Defence team each specialise in one either; Aerospace, Naval, Land Systems or IT security cleared

roles.

http://www.kineticrecruitment.com.au/



TABLE OF CONTENTS

KINETIC RECRUITMENT ......................................................................................... 2

DEFENCE ............................................................................................................... 3

SURVEY METHODOLOGY ...................................................................................... 5

DEMOGRAPHICS ................................................................................................... 6

MARKET COMMENTS ........................................................................................... 9

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS ........................................................................................ 12

NSW & ACT SALARY ANALYSIS ............................................................................ 15

VIC & TAS SALARY ANALYSIS ............................................................................... 19

QLD & NT SALARY ANALYSIS ............................................................................... 23

SA SALARY ANALYSIS .......................................................................................... 27

WA SALARY ANALYSIS ......................................................................................... 31

CONNECT WITH US ............................................................................................. 35



SURVEY METHODOLOGY

Publication of the 2015 Defence Industry Salary Survey represents the culmination of an in-depth

analysis and review program of market data. Our internet based survey was sent to 13,879 candidates

and contacts of Kinetic Recruitment within defence organisations.

Our thanks go to the many organisations and individuals across all major Australian business centres

that have contributed market information and data for this project.

DEFINITIONS

Median: The salary level which 50% of salaries fall below and 50% are above.

Salary Package: Full time equivalent annual base salary plus superannuation and bonus

components (before tax).

NOTES

These figures are provided as a median guideline. Individual salaries will vary and should take into

account the exact requirements of the specific role.

The salaries shown in the tables of the report are based on full time employees only and include

statutory superannuation. All salaries are shown in Australian Dollars.



DEMOGRAPHICS

Geographic Research of Results

Graph below shows the breakdown of state source data used in the findings.

Graph 1: State breakdown

Graph 2: Age breakdown

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25%

TAS

NT

SA

WA

ACT

VIC

QLD

NSW

23 - 3313%

34 - 4431%

45 - 5534%

56 - 6620%

67 +

23 - 33

34 - 44

45 - 55

56 - 66

67 +



0 - 5 Years14%

11 - 15 Years18%

16 - 20 Years13%

21+ Years36%

6 - 10 Years19%

0 - 5 Years

11 - 15 Years

16 - 20 Years

21+ Years

6 - 10 Years

Current Employment

The graph below represents the employment status of respondents

Graph 3: Employment status

Commercial Experience

The graph below represents the years of experience of the respondents working within the Defence

industry.

Graph 4: Years working in industry

Contractor18%

Not working13%

Permanent69%

Contractor

Not working

Permanent



Industry Confidence

The graph below represents the opinion of the respondents when asked “What is your current

confidence in the Defence industry being able to provide you with a long term career?”

Graph 5: Industry career confidence

Employment in the Near Future.

The graph below represents the opinion of the respondents when asked “Are you considering a change

in employment in the near future?”

Graph 6: Career movement

No, I intend to stay

here for the foreseeable future

12%

Yes, within the next 12 months

41%

Not really, but I'm open to opportunities

47%

Somewhat confident45%

Very confident19%

Somewhat unconfident

19%

Not confident at all17%



MARKET COMMENTS

2015 Trends at a Glance

Employment levels in the Defence sector have appeared to have stabilised.

ADF embarking on the largest capital equipment replacement activity in a generation.

Possible role change for DMO will have an impact on required industry skills.

Salary levels will experience strong growth in some locations/skills in 2015.

Current Situation

Prior to 2009/2010 the Defence sector was plagued by a lack of skilled workers. A busy project

environment, coupled with a booming resources sector meant that there was a great imbalance in the

supply and demand of the technical skills required in both the acquisition and sustainment functions in

the Defence sector. Strong competition and employment conditions from other sectors impacted the

supply of available workers, and in a number of cases project cost and schedule was effected by the

misalignment between the location of the work forces, and the location of the work.

Much of the last four years saw a significant reduction in the size of the Defence Industry (up to 20% by

some figures), however the last 12 months has seen a general increase in hiring activity in Defence

Industry, and we forecast a general undersupply of many Defence sector specific skills over the

medium to long term. Many major ADF platforms are now scheduled for replacement, and a number

of large systems based projects are under way.

The end of the resources construction boom will not significantly diminish the demand in the

Resources Industry for Defence sector trained skills over the medium term. Many resource projects are

moving to the sustainment phase of their lifecycle, and Defence sector workers are still attractive to

that industry. Growth in construction, transportation and IT sectors are also creating demand for

Defence sector workers.

The effect of an aging workforce is yet to have a significant effect on the supply of skilled workers.

Project cost and schedule risk will be greatly effected by the way the sector manages the supply and

demand of skilled workers.



Sector Overviews

Sea

The supply and demand of maritime skills is, at best, in equilibrium in most locations, however with a

number of acquisition projects about to start, demand is likely to far out strip supply unless competing

project schedules are carefully orchestrated, work is done offshore, or significant steps are taken to

utilise skills from adjacent industries. Regional locations will continue to suffer from poor supply of

local skills.

Air

Foreign Military Sales acquisitions have effectively seen a reduction in the requirement for indigenous

design and systems engineering skills. This will have a negative effect on the available supply of these

skills over the long term. Increasing use of autonomous vehicle technology will drive demand for new

skills in this sub sector.

Land

The possibility of a very large manufacturing, or at least, systems integration project in the military

vehicle space will test the ability of Defence to integrate skills from adjacent sectors. The automotive

sector hold some relevant skills, but many requirements will have Defence specific content expertise

which workers from other sectors will not hold.

Joint

Demand for ICT skill sets will increase over the long term. The rise in importance of cyber warfare

capabilities, coupled with comparable requirements in commercial industry will mean strong demands

for these skills in general. IT skills in general will be in demand across the country. Comms and RF

focused skills will be in strong demand due to a number of large projects. Defence estate projects will

have to compete for skills with a number of civil infrastructure projects.

State Overviews

New South Wales

Demand is beginning to eclipse supply for Naval sustainment and support skills, this continues to be

fuelled by the introduction to service and the ongoing support of the first LHD and to a lesser extent,

the support and sustainment of RAN support platforms. With the workforce being near to fully

employed, we have seen an increase in salary expectations, we have observed a rise between 5% - 15%

across the technical skillsets. The introduction of the C 27J into RAAF service will likely lead to an

increase in demand for sustainment skill sets in Western Sydney should the platform be based there.

The rail and construction industries may increase pressure on the project support skill sets.

Predicted Salary Growth: Steady



South Australia

There has been a complete turnaround for demand for engineering skillsets in this area, with

increasing demand for Systems Engineers, Electrical Engineers and ILS professionals. Both AWD and

JORN are absorbing most of the demand. Submarine skills are in relatively low demand with

uncertainty over SEA1000. The Collins class sustainment is reaching a steady level as the sustainment

program is now back in line with expected schedules. JORN phase 6B could have a major impact on the

supply of engineering skillsets as the next phase of the contract dictates a sole source prime

contractor. The establishment of an AWD SPO in Adelaide will have some effect on skill availability, but

we are unsure of the size and composition of the workforce at this time. The AWDSPO is slated to

relocate to Sydney in 2016, which will have an effect on skills availability in that location.


Western Australia

Naval sustainment and logistics skill sets are in reasonably steady demand in this location and is still

proving difficult to attract these skillsets out of adjacent industries. Strong demand for project

management and trade skills is a notable local occurrence. Numbers of discharging RAN personnel are

down even more than in previous years. The downturn in the mining industry has not seen a huge

impact on the availability and supply of technical professionals.


Victoria

Victoria was relatively busy in 2014, with various LAND projects stimulating moderate demand for the

procurement and design skill sets. This will continue in this sector for 2015, even with the possible

announcement of a major project expected early in the year. Naval production and design skills

requirements will experience a sharp drop in demand towards the end of 2015 without new projects

announced. There will be very strong demand for skills in the C4I category.

Predicted Salary Growth: Steady-Strong

Queensland

The last 12 months has seen a lesser demand for the naval sustainment skill sets in Cairns. This is worth

noting as we have noticed a movement of some in-demand skill sets from WA and NSW. There is an

increase in demand for land systems integration and sustainment skills as LAND 121 matures, but

demand for aerospace skills will remain steady. As in NSW, the Rail and construction industries may

increase pressure on the project support skill sets, although the Resources industry will still draw our

sustainment skills.

Predicted Salary Growth: Steady- Moderate.



Australian Capital Territory

Demand continues to increase in the ACT area for engineering consultancy skillsets, with SEA5000 and

other future programs (PB replacement, AOR replacement) showing some signs of absorbing skillsets

moving forward. The advent of Integrated Service Contracts may significantly change the way the

professional services sector engages workers. In the ICT sector, the Centralised Processing project will

drive demand for ICT skills as it creates movement in the workforce.

Predicted Salary Growth: Steady- Strong

Upcoming Projects for 2015 and Beyond

Graph 7: Key Defence projects of 2015

ALL STATES

Next Gen Desktop Centralised

Processing

SA

Trident/ P8

AWD Future Submarine?

VIC

SIP AIR 5431/One Sky

LAND 400

ACT

Future Submarine SIP

AIR 5431/One Sky AoR

Future Frigate Pacific PB

LAND 2072

NSW

AIR 5431/One Sky JSF

AWD C-27? HATS

QLD

SIP AIR 5431/One Sky

C-27? LAND 75



ADDITIONAL BENEFITS

The graph below presents a breakdown of additional benefits being offered across the Defence Sector.

Percentages are a representation of the number of organisations offering the additional benefits

beyond employee annual salary and statutory superannuation.

Graph 8: Additional Benefits*

*Percentages do not add up to 100% as respondents could select more than one option.

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25%

Non-Cash incentives

Lump sum/ cash incentives

Profit Share

Shares in company

Other

Car allowance/ mileage

More than statutory holidays/days off

Holiday Loading

Further education support/funding

Parking

Bonus

Salary sacrifice packages



Tables

The tables on the following pages show the basic salary package range and median split

by position and sector. The salaries shown in the tables are for full time employees and

are before tax salary package figures.

The top and bottom 3% of source data was excluded from the findings to prevent outliers

skewing the data.

*Salaries for these skill sets can vary significantly based on the scope and level of

responsibilities.

Other Benefits

Below are the mentioned ‘Other’ benefits respondents receive:

8/6 Roster

Additional super

contributions/plans

Car allowance

Commission

Defence home loan

DFRDB

Discharge

Discount housing

FIFO allowance

Flex time

Free tea bags

Fully maintained vehicle

Gym

Health cover

Housing

Income protection

insurance

Meals

Mobile phone

Medical costs

Overtime

Professional

memberships

Rental allowance

Service allowance

Site allowance

Subsidised mortgage

Travel allowance/Travel

costs covered

Uniform allowance

Volunteer day

Work from home



NSW SALARY ANALYSIS

Candidates with the top level of security clearance generally command a 10-20% premium on regular salaries.

Salaries for New South Wales (NSW) & Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

Engineering & Technical Years Experience

Position 1-3 Years 3-5 Years 5-10 Years 10+ Years

Avionics Engineer $70,000 $85,000 $110,000 $125,000

Communications Engineer $85,000 $105,000 $135,000 $165,000

Configuration Engineer $80,000 $100,000 $115,000 $140,000

Drafter $70,000 $80,000 $95,000 $110,000

Electrical Engineer $80,000 $105,000 $130,000 $155,000

Electronics Technician $60,000 $75,000 $85,000 $100,000

Engineering Manager $130,000 $145,000 $160,000 $180,000

Facilities Manager $85,000 $100,000 $125,000 $145,000

ILS Analyst $75,000 $90,000 $105,000 $115,000

ILS Engineer $80,000 $105,000 $130,000 $155,000

AME $65,000 $70,000 $80,000 $85,000

Maintenance Manager* $90,000 $110,000 $130,000 $155,000



Marine Technician $60,000 $75,000 $85,000 $100,000

Mechanical Engineer $80,000 $105,000 $130,000 $145,000

Naval Architect $80,000 $105,000 $125,000 $160,000

Program Manager* $145,000 $165,000 $185,000 $220,000

Project Manager* $105,000 $120,000 $145,000 $165,000

Project Planner / Scheduler $80,000 $105,000 $130,000 $155,000

QA Engineer $80,000 $105,000 $115,000 $130,000

Reliability Engineer $90,000 $105,000 $125,000 $155,000

Structural Engineer $70,000 $85,000 $105,000 $120,000

Systems Engineer $85,000 $105,000 $135,000 $165,000

Systems Safety Engineer $105,000 $120,000 $140,000 $165,000

Technical Writer $75,000 $85,000 $95,000 $110,000

Test Engineer $65,000 $75,000 $90,000 $120,000



Salaries for New South Wales (NSW) & Australian Capital Territory (ACT) continued.

Sales & Business Support Years Experience


Account Manager $100,000 $120,000 $135,000 $150,000

Bid Manager $120,000 $135,000 $165,000 $180,000

Business Analyst $75,000 $90,000 $115,000 $150,000

Business Development Manager* $140,000 $165,000 $180,000 $210,000

Commercial Manager $110,000 $125,000 $150,000 $175,000

Cost Schedule Analyst $90,000 $105,000 $120,000 $135,000

Document Controller $70,000 $80,000 $95,000 $120,000

Logistics/ Supply Chain Manager $95,000 $110,000 $125,000 $155,000

Logistics/ Supply Chain Specialist $75,000 $85,000 $95,000 $110,000

Operations Manager $100,000 $125,000 $150,000 $175,000

Procurement/ Purchasing Manager

$85,000 $95,000 $105,000 $125,000

Procurement/ Purchasing Specialist

$75,000 $85,000 $95,000 $110,000

Project Administrator $70,000 $85,000 $95,000 $110,000



Salaries for New South Wales (NSW) & Australian Capital Territory (ACT) continued.

ICT Years Experience


Architect (Enterprise/ Solution/ Technical)

$140,000 $170,000 $200,000 $230,000


Data Warehousing/ Business Intelligence

$110,000 $130,000 $150,000 $180,000

Database Admin $80,000 $100,000 $120,000 $140,000

Help Desk/ Desktop Support $50,000 $70,000 $90,000 $90,000

IT Security Consultant $130,000 $150,000 $170,000 $190,000

Network Administrator $70,000 $85,000 $100,000 $100,000

Network/ Security Engineer $100,000 $130,000 $150,000 $150,000

Project Manager* $130,000 $160,000 $190,000 $210,000

Service Delivery Manager $130,000 $160,000 $190,000 $190,000

Software Engineer $70,000 $90,000 $110,000 $130,000

Software Tester $70,000 $90,000 $110,000 $130,000

Systems Administrator $70,000 $85,000 $100,000 $100,000


Web Developer $70,000 $90,000 $110,000 $130,000



VIC SALARY ANALYSIS


Salaries for Victoria (VIC) & Tasmania (TAS).






Drafter $70,000 $80,000 $90,000 $105,000





ILS Analyst $75,000 $90,000 $105,000 $110,000

ILS Engineer $80,000 $105,000 $120,000 $150,000

AME $65,000 $70,000 $80,000 $85,000






Naval Architect $80,000 $105,000 $125,000 $160,000

Program Manager* $145,000 $160,000 $180,000 $210,000

Project Manager* $105,000 $120,000 $145,000 $165,000


QA Engineer $80,000 $100,000 $110,000 $125,000






Test Engineer $80,000 $85,000 $95,000 $115,000



Salaries for Victoria (VIC) & Tasmania (TAS) continued.



Account Manager $100,000 $120,000 $135,000 $145,000

Bid Manager $115,000 $130,000 $150,000 $175,000









Procurement/ Purchasing Manager $85,000 $95,000 $105,000 $125,000

Procurement/ Purchasing Specialist $75,000 $85,000 $95,000 $110,000




Salaries for Victoria (VIC) & Tasmania (TAS) continued.




$100,000 $125,000 $140,000 $160,000



$95,000 $120,000 $135,000 $160,000

Database Admin $75,000 $90,000 $110,000 $125,000





Project Manager* $100,000 $120,000 $140,000 $160,000



Software Tester $70,000 $85,000 $100,000 $110,000



Web Developer $65,000 $80,000 $95,000 $110,000



QLD SALARY ANALYSIS

Salaries for Darwin based senior technical/engineering roles may be 20% higher than the above amounts.

Salaries for Queensland (QLD) and Northern Territory (NT).






Drafter $65,000 $75,000 $85,000 $100,000





ILS Analyst $75,000 $80,000 $95,000 $115,000

ILS Engineer $95,000 $110,000 $125,000 $135,000

AME $65,000 $70,000 $80,000 $85,000






Naval Architect $85,000 $110,000 $150,000 $170,000

Program Manager* $125,000 $150,000 $180,000 $200,000

Project Manager* $115,000 $125,000 $130,000 $160,000


QA Engineer $75,000 $90,000 $105,000 $115,000






Test Engineer $65,000 $75,000 $90,000 $110,000



Salaries for Queensland (QLD) and Northern Territory (NT) continued.



Account Manager $100,000 $120,000 $130,000 $140,000

Bid Manager $115,000 $125,000 $150,000 $175,000














Salaries for Queensland (QLD) and Northern Territory (NT) continued.




$140,000 $170,000 $200,000 $230,000



$110,000 $130,000 $150,000 $180,000

Database Admin $80,000 $100,000 $120,000 $140,000





Project Manager* $130,000 $160,000 $190,000 $210,000



Software Tester $70,000 $90,000 $110,000 $130,000



Web Developer $70,000 $90,000 $110,000 $130,000



SA SALARY ANALYSIS


Salaries for South Australia (SA).






Drafter $70,000 $80,000 $90,000 $100,000





ILS Analyst $75,000 $85,000 $100,000 $105,000

ILS Engineer $80,000 $105,000 $125,000 $150,000

AME $65,000 $70,000 $80,000 $85,000






Naval Architect $80,000 $100,000 $125,000 $155,000

Program Manager* $145,000 $160,000 $180,000 $200,000

Project Manager* $100,000 $115,000 $140,000 $160,000


QA Engineer $80,000 $95,000 $105,000 $120,000






Test Engineer $65,000 $75,000 $90,000 $110,000



Salaries for South Australia (SA) continued.



Account Manager $90,000 $110,000 $135,000 $145,000

Bid Manager $110,000 $125,000 $145,000 $170,000














Salaries for South Australia (SA) continued.




$120,000 $150,000 $180,000 $210,000



$90,000 $110,000 $130,000 $150,000

Database Admin $60,000 $80,000 $100,000 $140,000





Project Manager* $110,000 $140,000 $170,000 $200,000



Software Tester $50,000 $70,000 $90,000 $110,000



Web Developer $50,000 $70,000 $90,000 $110,000



WA SALARY ANALYSIS

Salaries for Western Australia (WA).






Drafter $65,000 $80,000 $95,000 $110,000





ILS Analyst $75,000 $90,000 $105,000 $115,000

ILS Engineer $80,000 $110,000 $130,000 $155,000

AME $65,000 $70,000 $80,000 $85,000






Naval Architect $85,000 $110,000 $130,000 $170,000

Program Manager* $150,000 $165,000 $185,000 $225,000

Project Manager* $125,000 $150,000 $180,000 $200,000


QA Engineer $80,000 $105,000 $120,000 $145,000






Test Engineer $65,000 $75,000 $90,000 $105,000



Salaries for Western Australia (WA) continued.



Account Manager $100,000 $120,000 $130,000 $140,000

Bid Manager $115,000 $125,000 $150,000 $175,000














Salaries for Western Australia (WA) continued.




$130,000 $140,000 $160,000 $190,000



$95,000 $120,000 $135,000 $160,000

Database Admin $80,000 $90,000 $105,000 $120,000





Project Manager* $100,000 $120,000 $140,000 $160,000



Software Tester $70,000 $85,000 $100,000 $110,000



Web Developer $65,000 $80,000 $90,000 $100,000



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2015 defence salary survey · salary levels will experience strong growth in some locations/skills...

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