Smartcard architect a A$2M deal

17.07.2006
Could the about-to-be appointed chief of the Australian federal government's Access Card project be the highest paid tech professional in the public sector?

According to tender documents calling for applications for the role of chief technology architect, payment could reach a cool A$2 million (US$1.5 million) over two years.

Not bad if you can get it.

The goal is to attract interest from the private sector here and overseas. Ideally, the smartcard chief will have already successfully completed a similar project elsewhere (well, we certainly hope so).

A spokesperson for Human Services Minister Joe Hockey admitted the advertised pay rate is certainly one of the highest offered in the public sector, adding that it is necessary if the government is to attract a suitable candidate from private enterprise.

"The chief technology architect, for example, needs to understand how Centrelink architecture works as well as that of other agencies, and then get together with them and make the project work," the spokesperson said.