$750k a year: The top Victorian bureaucrats earning more than the Prime Minister

While many Victorians continue to struggle with the cost-of-living crisis, the state’s top bureaucrats are pocketing up to $750,000 a year in eye-watering salaries. See the top earners.

Victoria’s top bureaucrats are pocketing up to $750,000 a year with salaries much higher than the Premier and Prime Minister.

Victoria’s top bureaucrats are now pocketing up to $750,000 a year in eye-watering salaries — more than the Premier and the Prime Minister.

As many Victorians continue to struggle with the cost-of-living crisis and businesses across the state battle to stay afloat, annual reports dumped in the Victorian Parliament revealed the plum pay wage for departmental secretaries, who are raking in between $1690 and $2054 a day.

The state’s top earner was Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPC) Jeremi Moule, who’s pay band was $740,000 to $750,000 last financial year.

Secretary of the Department of Treasury and Finance Chris Barrett came in a close second earning $720,000 to $730,000.

The state’s top earner Jeremi Moule, who’s pay band was $740,000 to $750,000. Picture: Supplied

Chris Barrett came in a close second earning $720,000 to $730,000. Picture: Supplied

Mr Barrett has also been appointed to the board of the Treasury Corporation of Victoria, which overseas financing for the state and departments, but it’s understood it’s not a paid position.

The wages of all of Victoria’s departmental public servants is higher than Premier Jacinta Allan who is sitting on $498,031, plus another $62,597 in expenses.

Backbench MPs are on a base salary of $205,798.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese receives a base salary of $607,500.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese receives a base salary of $607,500. Picture: Martin Ollman

It is normal for top bureaucrats to earn more than elected officials with pay packets expected to be competitive with the private market.

In Victoria, both executives pay brackets and state MPs wages are set by the Victorian Independent Remuneration Tribunal, and departmental bosses could see their wages rise further in the next year with the tribunal currently recommending a pay bracket of up to $813,524.

A state government spokesman said the pay packets were justified.

“Department heads manage large complex organisations that provide the critical services Victorians rely on, and remuneration bands for executives are set by an independent Tribunal,” they said.

“We compete with the private sector and other states for specialist talent and will continue to hire people with the expert skills and experience needed for Victoria.

“The remuneration packages of all Victorian Government department heads are within the bands set by the Victorian Independent Remuneration Tribunal.”

Backbench MPs are on a base salary of $205,798. Picture: Ian Currie

Department heads could also all be in line for nice new pay rises moving forward with the independent tribunal ruling last year that the acceptable pay band ranged from $603,713 to $813,524 per year.

There have been increasing concerns about public executive pay in recent times with insider warning Victoria’s Big Build program and Australia’s construction industry “running hot’ was over-inflating salaries in both the public and private sectors.

Two taxpayer-funded positions on the $34.5 billion Suburban Rail Loop East, were recently given the green light to include packages above standard pay bands.

The executive overseeing the SRL East tunnels, can now be paid up to $465,000 a year, and the director of operations who could command a $429,000 package.

The Remuneration Tribunal, gave the green light for the positions to pay between $28,000 and $64,000 higher than comparable executive roles due to market conditions.

Last year, the Herald Sun revealed a secret report showing that the combined salaries of 25 Big Build bosses was more than $12 million a year.

Salaries revealed

Department of Premier and Cabinet

Jeremi Moule

$740,000 – $750,000

Department of Treasury and Finance

Chris Barrett

$720,000 – $730,000

Department of Transport and Planning

Paul Younis

$690,000 – $700,000

Department of Justice and Community Safety

Kate Houghton

$670,000 to $680,000

Department of Health

Euan Wallace

$670,000 – $679,000

Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action

John Bradley

$630,000 – $640,000

Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions

Tim Ada

$630,000 – $640,000

Department of Education

Jenny Atta

$620,000 – $629,999

Department of Government Services

Jo de Morton

$610,000 –$620,000

Department of Family, Fairness and Housing

Peta McCammon

$610,000 – $620,000