You've built the skills.
Are you being paid for them?
Thousands of skilled ICT professionals in the APS are doing the same work as contractors, for a fraction of the pay. If you've ever wondered what contracting would actually look like for you, this page is the honest answer.
APS6 ICT Professional
$95–110k
annual salary
Same role, contracting
$220–260k
annual equivalent
Denis S. said
"Why haven't I done this earlier?"
The APS and contracting reward different things.
Contracting can place a stronger emphasis on market-valued skills.
After years, sometimes decades, in the APS, most ICT professionals are significantly underpaid relative to their actual market value. The classification system, salary bands, and annual increments were designed for a different era of the public service.
Meanwhile, the same agencies that employ you permanently are paying contractors beside you two to three times your daily equivalent, for the same work, often with less departmental knowledge.
Contracting doesn't mean giving up stability. It means pricing yourself at what the market, including your own agency, says your skills are actually worth.
Your rate reflects your market value
Not a band, not an increment, not what HR approved. What skilled ICT professionals actually command.
You choose your engagements
Work on projects that interest you, with teams that suit you. Build a contracting career around challenge, variety, and the kind of work you want to do.
Your super, your terms
You control your superannuation, your leave provisions, your structure. The flexibility is yours, and so is the accountability.
We support you through the transition
From timing your move to working through notice periods, procurement steps, interviews, approvals, and setup, we help you navigate the process with clarity.
What would you actually earn?
Select your APS level and discipline. We'll show you the realistic contracting range for equivalent roles in the Canberra market, and the difference it makes to your annual take-home.
APS Salary Range
$96k-$115k
per year, APS 6
Contracting Rate
$115-$135/hr
Testing / QA · APS 6 equivalent
The Difference
$75k-$127k
more per year, contracting
Annual income comparison
Rates are indicative Canberra market ranges based on current BuyICT and open market engagements. Actual rates depend on clearance level, specific skills, agency and engagement type. Annual equivalent assumes 220 working days at 37.5 hours per week. Super (12%) is included in the contract rates and is allocated to your superannuation provider by your payroll provider.
"The HyperionIT team made the transition so seamless and uplifting that it has literally left me wondering 'why haven't I done this earlier?'"
Denis S.
Senior Test Analyst · Former APS · Joined May 2024
The things that hold people back.
✗"I'll lose my job security"
Skilled ICT contractors in Canberra are in near-constant demand. Most of our contractors move from one engagement to the next with little or no gap. For many people, that consistent demand provides more practical security than a permanent title alone.
✗"The paperwork and setup is complicated"
We walk you through all the steps to get you up and running. We also provide practical guidance on leave planning and the other areas that work differently in contracting compared with the APS, so the process feels clear and well supported.
✗"I'll miss out on leave and entitlements"
Your contract rate already accounts for this. When you model it honestly, daily rate minus your own super and leave provisions, the net position almost always favours contracting significantly.
✗"I don't know if my skills are 'contractor level'"
If you're excelling in your APS role and looking for a rewarding, challenging career path, contracting may be a strong fit. It suits people who back their skills, value variety, and want to be recognised accordingly.
We've done this before.
Many times.
Hyperion IT specialises in helping experienced APS ICT professionals make the move to contracting. We understand the psychology of the transition, not just the paperwork. We've helped testers, project managers, business analysts, architects, and developers make the jump with confidence.
Our model is fully transparent and built around contractor clarity. You know exactly where you stand, what your engagement looks like, and what to expect. No surprises, no fine print, and no vague answers. That clarity is what makes us different, and it starts from the very first conversation.
Start the ConversationOne conversation
Tell us where you are and what you're thinking. No commitment, no hard sell. Just an honest discussion about what's possible.
We map out your options
Based on your level, discipline and clearance, we'll show you realistic contracting rates and help you understand your full financial picture.
We handle the transition
From company structure advice to contract paperwork, onboarding, and beyond, we make the process as painless as possible.
You start earning what you're worth
You move into contracting with clearer expectations, stronger support, and an agency built around transparency and contractor outcomes.
You've been thinking about this for a while, haven't you?
The first conversation costs nothing. Most people wonder why they waited so long to have this conversation.