Rank Structure Within the Australian Government

Legislative/Executive (Political)

• Governor-General (ceremonial head of state)
• Prime Minister
• Senior Ministers (Cabinet: Treasurer, Foreign Affairs, Defence, etc.)
• Other Ministers (Outer Ministry)
• Assistant Ministers (support portfolio ministers)
• Parliamentary Secretaries (junior roles)
• Backbench MPs/Senators (government & opposition)
• Leader of the Opposition + Shadow Cabinet

Public Service (APS) – Career Hierarchy

• Secretary (Dept. head, reports to Minister)
• Deputy Secretary
• First Assistant Secretary
• Assistant Secretary / Director (EL2)
• Executive Level 1 (EL1)
• APS 6 – APS 1 (operational to entry)

Judicial

• Chief Justice of the High Court
• High Court Justices (6 others)
• Chief Justices of Federal Courts (Federal, Family, Federal Circuit)
• Federal Judges

Ranks vary slightly across agencies; APS classification is standardized.