Assistant secretary Facts for Kids

An assistant secretary is a special title given to government officials or politicians in some countries. They usually work as junior ministers, helping a main government minister who is part of the Cabinet. Think of them as important helpers who focus on specific areas.

Assistant Secretaries Around the World
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Assistant Secretaries Around the World

Australia: A High-Level Role

In Australia, an assistant secretary is a very important government official. This job is part of the Australian Public Service and is a high-ranking position. People in this role might also be called a branch head, national manager, or executive director.

If an Australian assistant secretary works in another country, like at an embassy, they might be called a regional director or even a minister-counsellor. Most of these officials are at a similar high level, though some can be even higher. As of 2025, an assistant secretary in Australia earns a good salary, usually over $200,000 AUD per year, not including other benefits.

Hong Kong: Policy Experts

In Hong Kong, S.A.R., an assistant secretary is a middle to senior official. They help top officials and are experts in specific policy areas for different government departments. This role is part of the Hong Kong Civil Service and has a long history, starting in 1862.

These officials are known as "administrative officers" and are considered top-level generalists in the government. They are key in making and coordinating government policies. The pay for an assistant secretary in Hong Kong can range from about $78,310 USD to over $191,200 USD per year. Historically, many of these officials studied at famous universities like Oxford and Cambridge.

India: Training for Future Leaders

In India, the position of assistant secretary has changed over time. From 1919 to 1945, during the British Raj, these jobs were filled by officers from the Imperial Secretariat Service.

Today, the role of assistant secretary is often a temporary position for officers from the Indian Administrative Service. They hold this role during their training period in the Central Government ministries. It's a way for them to learn how the government works at a high level.

Ireland: Similar to the UK

The job of assistant secretary in the Irish Civil Service is very similar to the one in the United Kingdom. Depending on the government department, this role might have a slightly different name now.

The Netherlands: Helping Ministers

In The Netherlands, an assistant secretary (called "staatssecretaris" in Dutch) helps a specific minister. They are in charge of a particular area or important issues that need special attention. This helps the main minister manage their workload.

An assistant secretary in the Netherlands is responsible for their political actions. This means if they lose the support of the parliament, they might have to resign. Not every government department has an assistant secretary; it depends on how important the department is.

United Kingdom: Deputy Directors

In the United Kingdom, the position of assistant secretary is a grade in the British Civil Service. This role is now more commonly known as a divisional manager or deputy director. They are classified as Grade 5 officials. As of April 2022, their basic salary starts at around £73,000 per year.

United States: Presidential Appointments

In the United States, an assistant secretary is a high-level civilian official in the United States federal government. These officials are below the main Cabinet secretaries. The president of the United States appoints them, and the United States Senate must agree to the appointment.

Assistant secretaries help a specific Cabinet secretary and often manage big programs within a government department. They are usually the lowest level of "secretarial" positions that the president directly appoints.

Assistant secretaries are generally Level IV positions within the Executive Schedule. They rank below an under secretary. Since January 2022, the annual salary for a Level IV position is $176,300.

Assistant secretary facts for kids

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