Terms and conditions of employment
The terms and conditions of employment for locally engaged staff (LES) are based primarily on Australian government and best practice employment conditions. However, the terms and conditions comply with labour laws specific to the United States.
The Embassy offers LES an attractive remuneration package based on an eight-tier salary scale according to the work level standard of the position and generous benefits. Benefits include 14 public holidays, 22 days recreation leave and 18 days personal leave per annum, heavily subsidised medical insurance plans, and flexible leave (where eligible).
Non-US citizens working for an embassy or consulate-general in the United States who are US lawful permanent residents (green card holders), or ‘A’ or ‘G’ class visa holders who are applying to become lawful permanent residents, must execute CIS Form I-508 to waive diplomatic rights, privileges, exemptions and immunities, including an exemption from paying US income taxes, or risk losing their US permanent resident status.
Locally engaged benefits and compensation
Current LES Salary Scales
View the LE Salary Scale Chicago (as at 1 July 2018) (PDF)
View the LE Salary Scale Honolulu (as at 1 July 2019) (PDF)
View the LE Salary Scale Los Angeles (as at 1 July 2021) (PDF)
View the LE Salary Scale New York (as at 1 July 2021) (PDF)
View the LE Salary Scale Washington DC (as at 1 July 2021) (PDF)
*All salaries are annual, and are paid in US dollars.
Leave
Staff are entitled to 22 days recreation leave (accruable to a maximum of 44 days) and 18 days personal leave each year (pro rated for part time employment). The Embassy observes 14 public holidays each year.
Working hours
The standard working day is 7 hours and 30 minutes.
Health insurance
Health insurance is offered to staff employed for a continuous period of at least three months, who work a minimum of 30 hours per week. Medical plans are generously subsidised by the Embassy.
Tax
Taxation is a personal responsibility for all Locally Engaged Staff (LES) and individuals should confirm their taxation obligations before considering an offer of employment with the Embassy or Consulates-General.
For Australians considering employment at the embassy, ensure you assess your tax status with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). Please note that the embassy is required to report to the ATO the earnings for those staff considered to be Australian residents for taxation purposes. It is also important to review information about the Australian-US tax treaty on double taxation.
If you have a taxation obligation to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in the United States it is important to read the US Tax Guide for Aliens.
Dependants of A-based with employment authorisation are required to file tax returns with the IRS in order to renew their employment authorisation cards. This includes returns for those applying treaty exemptions, those with nil earnings, and those employed outside of the embassy. This does not remove the obligation to file tax returns with the Australian Taxation Office.
Relocation
Please note that there is no relocation allowance given to a successful candidate of a locally engaged position. See Living in the greater Washington DC area for possible sources of information on accommodation, transportation and cost of living in Washington DC and its surrounds.
See the full terms and conditions of employment for Locally Engaged Staff (LES) at the Australian Embassy in Washington DC terms and conditions.
Eligibility for Employment - Visa and Citizenship Information
The following categories are eligible to apply for employment as a member of the locally engaged staff at the Embassy / Consulate-General
- United States citizen
- United States lawful permanent resident (green card holder)
- Married spouse of an Australian Government official when the official has been posted to the Embassy / Consulate-General and the spouse has been issued a dependent A-1 or dependent A-2 visa
- Married spouse of an Australian Government official when the official has been posted outside the Embassy / Consulate-General and the spouse has been issued a dependent A-2 visa and has a valid US employment authorisation document (EAD*)
- Spouse of a posted official when official is not Australian and the spouse has been issued a dependent A-1 visa and a valid US employment authorisation document (EAD) or a dependent A-2 visa and a valid US employment authorisation document (EAD*)
- Dependent G-visa holder who also has a valid US employment authorisation document (EAD*)
- Dependent E-3 visa holder who also has a valid US employment authorisation document (EAD*). Note that the US Department of State must pre-approve the employment of an E-3 visa dependent before the employment offer can be confirmed
- Anyone who does not fall into any of the categories listed above may be eligible to apply for a principal A-2 visa with support from the Embassy / Consulate-General employer. Approval from the US Department of State will be required for the A-2 visa to be issued. A-2 visas must be obtained outside the US and must be issued before employment can commence. LES employment based upon an A-2 visa is limited to five years. The successful candidate is responsible for all costs, including travel and accommodation, related to visa applications and commencement of employment.
*Employment authorisation documents can take 3 to 5 months to obtain and a valid EAD is required to remain in employment. If an EAD is not renewed before it expires, the individual will have to stop working until the new EAD is issued.
Applicants who may be eligible for an A-2 visa should note the following:
- The United States Department of State limits A-2 visas for locally engaged staff to five years.
- Dependents of locally engaged staff who hold A-2 visas are not eligible for employment in the United States.
- Ongoing employment will at all times be based on an employee's ability to lawfully reside and work in the United States.
- If you are currently in the US with a dependent US visa that is not an A-visa or a G-visa you need to obtain an A-visa before starting employment. However, your spouse will also have to change to an A-visa and will then be unable to work.
- Applicants who would have to change to an A-2 visa to take up employment should seriously consider the implications before accepting an offer of employment.
A-visa holders are required to execute CIS Form I-508 on application for US lawful permanent residency or risk their application being rejected.
US Permanent Residents are required to execute CIS Form I-508 on taking up employment at a foreign mission or risk losing their US permanent resident status.
