APS contract dilema?

I-filed said :

If you get a contract Khandalah, you could put a case to the manager in the APS that it would be cheaper to have you on the payroll! Rule of thumb is that you cost the agency twice your hourly rate – including HR support etc. So AFTER succeeding in your initial contract and establishing that they want you there, if there is talk of extending you, find out how much the agency would be charging them, and suggest a placement fee to the recruitment agency and that you be brought in-house.

You need to be a little bit careful with this, some contracting companies don’t take too kindly to what they see as you trying to go around them. Every contract I’ve ever signed has included a clause to (ostensibly) prevent me from staying at the same company/agency while cutting out the middle man, though I’m not sure how bulletproof these are in practice.

Do what everyone who needs a new job does – apply for lots, interview for all you can, the ake the decision where you want to go once you have one or more firm offers on the table.

If you get a contract Khandalah, you could put a case to the manager in the APS that it would be cheaper to have you on the payroll! Rule of thumb is that you cost the agency twice your hourly rate – including HR support etc. So AFTER succeeding in your initial contract and establishing that they want you there, if there is talk of extending you, find out how much the agency would be charging them, and suggest a placement fee to the recruitment agency and that you be brought in-house.

Thanks for that info I-filed, that is very helpful. Unfortunately I suspected as much from the recruitment companies!

Khandalah said :

As for $100/hr, I wish!!

To crack the century as a contractor, you’re going to need specialist skills or experience.

On the skills side, I reckon you’re playing low percentages outside IT, Project Management, Accounting and Law. Roles do come up but there are few of them and they are highly contested. So if you have fancy skills outside those areas, start networking with people from the big consulting firms because that’s the best way to increase your chances.

On the experience side is where ‘generalist’ policy and service delivery APS officers really have the inside running. If you’re a policy wonk, pick a theme – a ‘wicked problem’ that will be unsolved by the next generation – and plan your career around it. The next time it becomes political flavour of the month, you can ‘double up’ through either promotion to the department charged with fixing it, or contracting to the people they outsource the response to.

If you’re in service delivery, do everything short of killing to get a procurement or contract management role. (OK, maybe killing but it really depends on who it is.) This is because at some point, part or all of the service support will be reviewed then outsourced. Government will need someone to develop ATMs and manage the contracts. And private sector will need someone to respond and actually do the work.

Final thought – if you have recent experience with things that go fast or go boom, coldcall every defence-related company you can Google. Because they’re all on the lookout right now.

For a mid-range APS4 in one of the higher-paid agencies (say $57,000 pa), if you’re on the payroll you would be paid the normal rate – working out at some $31 an hour – and accumulate sick leave and four weeks recreation leave, and have your paid public holidays. Superannuation should be 15.4 per cent, paid to I think it’s still AGEST?

Your sickleave would be portable to another agency if you take up a fresh contract within a given time.

If you’re being paid by a recruitment agency, they will charge the department a motza – probably $75 an hour – and underpay you unless you can convince them to be honest and pay you the true equivalent of APS conditions, which would be around $42 an hour. Ripping off is how they work though – an account manager at one of those agencies will squeeze the contractors, and only need four or five employees actively on their books, to cover their own pay.

OK I-filed, to be more specific: what would be a reasonable casual loading to expect for an APS contract? 15%, 25%? Googled this and got mixed results so thought those with experience working with local recruiters and on APS contracts would have a clearer picture. With a clearer picture of this it would be easier to then calculate an hourly rate.

maths or mathematics ifilled FFS. This is Australia, not whichita texas

Khandalah I’d be concerned that if you can’t do the math to work out an hourly rate for yourself, then you would struggle as a lower-end APS4, let alone a 5 position. If you’re asking us to do it because you’re lazy, then you won’t cut it in the public service as a contractor.

The super rate you should use for your calculations is 15 per cent.

Thanks for the excellent advise everyone I really appreciate it. Given the feedback on it being ok to break a contract I will go for temp contracts as well. As for $100/hr, I wish!! I would say that I’m equivalant to a high 4 or low to mid 5 at this stage in my career.

With regards to being placed on the payroll of the APS, I would assume most recruitment agencies would be reluctant to arrange this? Would this be more relevant to those at higher levels who have their own ABN etc? Also what would be a reasonable hourly rate to expect? I would be asking to start on $60-62 plus super plus casual loading as i belived this is roughly equivalant to high APS 4/ low 5. Any ideas what that would work out to be as a casual hourly rate?

Thanks again.