DSTA (under Mindef)

heard that 1st yr probation pay is 3.9k for second upper?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

any other govt agencies ?

Obviously you dont know the difference between DSTA payscales and other gov agencies. Perhaps the only comparable one is HTX, but its essentially the same nature of work.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

heard that 1st yr probation pay is 3.9k for second upper?

No such thing as probation pay, it's 5K+ for 2nd upper now (male)

Originally Posted by Unregistered

No such thing as probation pay, it's 5K+ for 2nd upper now (male)

So still base on degree class, like civil service. Should have probation, but pay the same as confirmed staff

Lol, the difference in class honours doesn’t differ much, only up to $400 nia.

Glassdoor got 1 reply so jialat that DSTA HR had to reply.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Lol, the difference in class honours doesn’t differ much, only up to $400 nia.

What! $400 a mth doing the same job, doesn't seem unfair ?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

What! $400 a mth doing the same job, doesn't seem unfair ?

Not that there's a bond right ? Anyone is free to move, if they disagree with such discrimination. but everywhere also got lah

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Just started working in DSTA not too long ago

- Pay is about 5k for a Graduate in an Engineer job.

- Additional 400 dollars allowance every month.

- Bi-Annually increment of 3% to 5% (~$150)

- EOY bonus of 3 to 4 months

- Performance bonus in Apr every year ($100~$200)

Average salary: ~ 7.3k (per month about including 4months of bonus in the calculation)

BETTER THAN CONTRACT PAYING JOBS of 6k per month without bonuses.


I personally think it is a good place to start learning all the basics as there is PLENTY OF TIME for self-development (if you have the discipline to).

Being on TGP (Technology Graduate Programme) is AWESOME because a mentor will be assigned to you typically (a senior/principal engineer). This is extremely important in the early years of a career. Not to mention he/she (the mentor) is extremely EAGER to provide guidance for where we wanna venture into. Generally, people are wholesome in DSTA.

Look forward to meeting you, peeps!

Can attest to this. Range was given to be around 4.9 to 5.3K as a incoming fresh grad joining DSTA.

No comments on the additional $400 allowance per month. Although I've heard about it, but there hasn't been anything substantial on how they give it (stated to be for specific IT roles?).

No comment on increments, although gauging from the range of 3 - 5%, I'd wager to say that it is a good and accurate estimate out there (as to the baseline for government increments).

EOY bonus is not 3 to 4 months. There is a mid-year bonus and an EOY bonus which, if combined together, is roughly ~1 month on average. Depends on the public service, really. I would presume that the commenter might have mistaken this with the additional 13th month bonus (not the same as mid-year and EOY bonuses!), which is issued around this timing.

Performance bonus is definitely graded and is a way lot higher than the range given. Discussed with HR back then and was told that the average PB is around ~2 months for an average performing worker.

Average salary is more or less around there ah. Really depends on the range, really, but from non-TGP but in technology-related roles, I would say it's about the same.

And yeah, looking forward to meeting you all too!

Anyone knows how much a Principal Enginner would be getting, and isit also aroind a 16mth package?