TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Examination Yuan (考試院) announced on Thursday (Oct. 23) a significant reform that raises the ceiling for non-supervisory roles in local governments and second-level agency units. This change marks the first large-scale change in position grading in several years, affecting 590 agencies and 3,500 positions. According to the Examination Yuan, this reform aims to align the roles of local government and central agencies.
The Examination Yuan explained the disparity between position grades and the structures of local governments and central agencies. They emphasized that this disparity hinders the attraction and retention of civil servants. Thus, a comprehensive review was deemed necessary, given the increasing complexity and workload of local government affairs.
The reform currently includes four key points: raising the grade ceiling for the highest non-managerial positions to grade 8 or 9, adjusting the ceiling for key managerial roles to grade 7 or 8, enhancing job grades for leaders in domestic violence prevention centers in six major cities, and reducing the proportion of commissioned positions in engineering agencies. The Ministry of Civil Service (銓敘部) and the Directorate-General of Personnel Administration (行政院人事行政總處) assured that they will continue to deliberate on positions not included in this adjustment.
The Examination Yuan has since approved adjustments for central fourth-level agencies on May 8 and Sept. 4, allowing 423 section chief positions to receive grade increases. Some of these adjustments took effect on Aug. 1, while the remaining changes will be implemented alongside local government reforms on Feb. 1, 2026. The Examination Yuan emphasized its commitment to regularly reviewing and adjusting job grades to reduce disparities between central and local government agencies.