Most job losses are expected from 2027
Most of Victoria’s planned cuts to 140 senior public service jobs are expected to start in 2027, after the state election on 28 November 2026.
Treasurer Colin Brooks announced the reduction in executive and executive-equivalent roles across government departments, the Victorian Infrastructure Delivery Authority and the Suburban Rail Loop Authority.
The government says the move will save $25 million each year, or $100 million over four years. That works out to an average of about $178,000 a year for each role.
Departments are expected to start identifying positions for removal straight away. However, departmental secretaries do not need to report back until early 2027.
Brooks said, “These are commonsense savings because we respect your money.” He also said, “We’re reducing costs at the top so we can protect the frontline services you rely on.”
Silver review proposed 332 executive cuts
The job reduction follows the Silver Review of the Victorian public service, led by former Department of Premier and Cabinet secretary Helen Silver.
Silver delivered the review to the government in June 2025. The government released it publicly on 4 December 2025.
According to that review, the number of executive roles in the public service rose by 52% under former premiers Daniel Andrews and Jacinta Allan.
Silver recommended removing 332 executive and executive-like positions. The government estimated that plan would save $359 million over the forward estimates.
Meanwhile, the government’s response to the review has already committed to more than $4 billion in savings, including 1000 job cuts.
It is also targeting $12 million in savings from parliament over the forward estimates by ending the Department of Parliamentary Services’ long-standing exemption from the annual efficiency dividend.
Family First has called for an independent line-by-line audit of government spending, procurement reform that punishes cost overruns and rewards efficiency, and a back-to-basics budget to reduce state debt.
The government has not said how many of the 140 roles will come from each agency or department.
