1328 public servants retrenched in record Albanese government year
The federal public service retrenched 1328 staff in 2025-26. This was nearly four times the prior year's 352.
The Albanese government spent $305 million on redundancies in the past financial year. The spending exceeded the $137 million budgeted just months before by more than double.
Redundancy packages funded departures across federal agencies. 1193 staff took voluntary packages.
95 senior executives left under retirement incentive schemes. 20 faced involuntary redundancy.
More staff were retrenched in 2025-26 alone than across the previous three years combined. The cuts hit older, experienced workers hardest.
About 71 per cent had 15 or more years of service. About 70.6 per cent were aged 50 or over.
The 55-to-59 age group recorded the biggest losses. Executive and senior management roles made up about 62.7 per cent of all retrenchments.
- 1328
- Staff retrenched 2025-26
- 352
- Prior year retrenchments
- $305 million
- Redundancy cost
- 71 percent
- Staff with 15+ years service
Why it mattersFederal spending on redundancies has topped more than $700 million across four years. The retrenchment wave removes institutional knowledge from public administration.
AustraliaAustralian federal public sector continues significant workforce contraction, affecting government service capacity and costing taxpayers hundreds of millions in exit payments.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
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