Financial Advice for APS Employees Facing Redundancy
Specialist financial planning for Australian Public Service employees considering voluntary redundancy, retirement, or career transition.
We help APS employees understand their redundancy package, reduce unnecessary tax, navigate defined benefit super schemes, and make confident financial decisions before accepting an offer.
Trusted by Australian Government Employees
Experienced in helping employees across:
- Federal Government Departments
- Defence & Defence Industry
- Services Australia
- Home Affairs
- NDIS
- ATO
- ABS
- Regulatory Agencies
- Commonwealth Authorities
We understand the unique financial issues facing APS employees, including PSS and CSS defined benefit schemes, redundancy entitlements, and retirement transition planning.
APS Redundancies Are Increasing Across Government Departments
Recent budget pressures and workforce reviews have resulted in growing voluntary redundancy activity across parts of the Australian Public Service, including major departments and agencies.
For many APS employees, redundancy may create:
- An opportunity to retire earlier
- A career transition point
- A chance to reduce debt
- A significant tax planning event
- Important superannuation decisions
But accepting a redundancy offer without proper advice can lead to costly mistakes.
APS Redundancy Advice Tailored to Government Employees
We provide specialist financial advice for APS employees who are:
- Considering a voluntary redundancy
- Approaching retirement
- Reviewing a redundancy package
- Members of PSS or CSS
- Transitioning to private sector work
- Unsure whether to accept an offer
Our advice commonly includes:
Redundancy Package Analysis
Understand:
- Your projected payout
- Leave entitlements
- Notice periods
- Redundancy calculations
- Tax implications
Tax Planning
We help you understand:
- Tax-free redundancy thresholds
- ETP taxation
- Annual leave taxation
- Long service leave treatment
- Strategies to reduce unnecessary tax
Superannuation Advice
Particularly for:
- PSS members
- CSS members
- Defined benefit recipients
- Employees nearing preservation age
Retirement Planning
For many long-term APS employees, redundancy can accelerate retirement planning opportunities.
We help assess:
- Retirement affordability
- Pension eligibility
- Super income strategies
- Debt reduction options
Why APS Employees Choose Specialist Financial Advice
APS redundancies are different from standard private-sector redundancies.
Government employees often face:
- Complex enterprise agreement provisions
- Defined benefit super considerations
- Re-employment restrictions
- Unique tax outcomes
- Retirement timing opportunities
Generic financial advice often misses these issues.
We understand:
- APS redundancy frameworks
- PSS and CSS considerations
- Commonwealth super rules
- Transition-to-retirement strategies
- Redundancy timing strategies
What To Do Next
Before accepting an APS Redundancy Offer, understand:
How Your Redundancy Is Taxed: Different parts of your payout may be treated differently for tax purposes.
What Happens to Your Super: Defined benefit members may have critical decisions that affect long-term retirement income.
Whether Redundancy Helps or Hurts Retirement: For some APS employees, redundancy can improve retirement flexibility. For others, timing can matter significantly.
Your Future Cash Flow
We help assess:
- How long your payout may last
- Whether debt should be reduced
- Income transition strategies
- Investment opportunities
- Retirement income sustainability
Many APS employees have accumulated significant benefits within:
- PSS
- CSS
- PSSap
- Commonwealth super schemes
Redundancy can create important decisions around:
- Preservation
- Pension eligibility
- Lump sum options
- Taxation
- Retirement timing
These decisions can materially affect your long-term financial position.
Frequently asked questions
What is an APS voluntary redundancy?
An APS voluntary redundancy occurs when a government department offers employees the opportunity to leave employment voluntarily due to restructuring, budget pressures, or workforce changes. APS agencies must comply with enterprise agreement obligations and Commonwealth employment rules.
Is an APS redundancy tax free?
Part of a genuine redundancy payment may be tax free up to legislated thresholds. Other components such as annual leave, long service leave, and employment termination payments may be taxed differently.
Should I take an APS redundancy? That depends on:
- Your age
- Retirement timeline
- Mortgage position
- Future employment prospects
- Superannuation structure
- Family goals
- Cash flow needs
A redundancy may create opportunities, but careful planning is important before making a decision.
What happens to my PSS or CSS super if I take redundancy?
This depends on:
- Your scheme
- Age
- Years of service
- Preservation status
- Retirement eligibility
Defined benefit members should seek specialist advice before accepting a package.
Can I return to the APS after redundancy?
Restrictions may apply for employees who receive a redundancy benefit and later return to APS employment.
Received an APS Redundancy Offer?
Before making a decision, understand:
- Your financial position
- Your tax exposure
- Your super options
- Your retirement opportunities
Speak with a financial adviser who understands APS redundancies, defined benefit super, and government employee retirement planning.
Cameron Teague is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP)® who holds a bachelor’s degree and postgraduate qualifications in financial planning.
Cameron has a specialty in complex superannuation strategies, in particular government and related defined benefit funds.
He has provided comprehensive advice for members across a range of funds* including:
- Commonwealth Superannuation Scheme (CSS) including 54/11 strategies and transition to retirement
- Public Sector Superannuation (PSS) and Public Sector Superannuation Accumulation Product (PSSap)
- Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation Retirement Income (CCSri)
- Defence Force Retirement and Death Benefits Scheme (DFRDB)
- Military Superannuation and Benefits Scheme (MSBS)
- Australian Defence Force Superannuation (ADF Super)
- Australian Super, QSuper, Australian Retirement Trust, HOSTPLUS, Unisuper, Cbus, Brighter Super, Plum Super, HESTA and CareSuper.
Cameron is one of very few planners in Australia with extensive experience across federal, state and local government defined benefit schemes.
Importantly, he can provide strategic advice on the structure that will provide outcomes in line with your goals across a wide range of products and services.