Senior executive numbers in the NSW public sector have fallen by more than eight per cent as part of ongoing budget repair efforts.
The NSW Government said the number of Public Sector Senior Executives dropped from a peak of 4,217 in June 2023 to 3,865 in July 2025, a reduction of more than 350 roles across the public service.
The reduction represents an 8.3 per cent fall in senior executive positions and places the NSW Government on track to meet its election commitment to cut senior executive numbers by 15 per cent during its first term.
The NSW Government said the changes were expected to deliver annual savings of more than $100 million, allowing greater investment in frontline services relied on by households and communities.
The NSW Government said the reduction in senior executive roles formed part of a broader fiscal repair strategy, which also includes cutting spending on external contractors and consultants, reducing gross debt, freezing senior executive and parliamentary pay, and limiting expense growth.
The state’s budget repair measures have been reflected in credit ratings outcomes, with Fitch and Moody’s maintaining NSW’s triple-A rating and S&P Global reaffirming the state’s AA+ rating.
NSW Treasurer, Daniel Mookhey, said the changes were designed to prioritise frontline services.
“Less money spent on backroom senior executives, consultants and contractors means more funding for the frontline services that communities need,” Mookhey said.
“We’d rather hire more teachers, nurses, paramedics and police than costly consultants and highly paid executives.”
NSW Minister for Finance, Courtney Houssos, said the reforms addressed long-standing issues in public service growth.
“These changes are part of how the NSW Government is delivering fiscally disciplined reforms to build a fairer NSW and repair the budget.”
