Yes, and yes. Lower salaries and lower negotiation.
For non government organisations like this one, it tends to be lower paid as well, but we get the joys of salary sacrifice, which just feels great to pay way less tax!
But really, the main benefit of the NGO sector is the ability to give back. I say this honestly as somebody who really loves the sector. This particular organisation operates the food rescue service across Canberra (picks up around 20T of food per month and gives to other charities), a small school for kids who have really been through the whole system, and a broad range of other services, including 12 childcare centres, aged care and disability support services, community development and an amazing range of family programs.
Often salary matters, but occasionally it can matter a little less, and the other rewards can begin to show through. NGOs can be a place to step a bit out of the box, if that interests you. Projects continually emerge that can inspire and lead to other ideas of what may be possible. By not having a large staff (ICT team is 6), opportunity exists to grow, adapt, and play in areas that boundaries in large organisations prevent.
