Paid while exercising or operating in the field.
Australian Army
Pay rates from Private to Lieutenant General
Permanent base rates, trainee pay, allowances, and take-home estimates for Army members.
Service
Rank
Pay period
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Trainee
8
- RankMinMax
Base trainee rates before permanent rank salary schedules apply.
Pay Progression
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Paid study or officer preparation while completing entry training milestones.
Pay Progression
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Sponsored university study while preparing for a future officer role.
Pay Progression
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Tertiary entry pay while studying toward an officer appointment.
Pay Progression
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Enlisted
5
- RankMinMax
Carries out basic soldier duties, field tasks, and team-level responsibilities.
Pay Progression
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Row Point 1 Point 2 Point 3 Point 4 Point 5 Point 6 Point 7 Point 8 Point 9 Point 10 Increment 0PAA$79,096 PAB$82,322 PAC$86,453 PAD$90,919 PAE$95,741 PAF$100,947 PAG$106,572 PAH$112,644 PAI$119,203 PAJ$126,292 Qualified soldier performing trade or combat tasks with less direct supervision.
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Row Point 1 Point 2 Point 3 Point 4 Point 5 Point 6 Point 7 Point 8 Point 9 Point 10 Increment 0PAA$80,341 PAB$83,565 PAC$87,700 PAD$92,164 PAE$96,985 PAF$102,194 PAG$107,814 PAH$113,887 PAI$120,448 PAJ$127,530 Junior leader supervising small teams and supporting section command.
Pay Progression
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Row Point 1 Point 2 Point 3 Point 4 Point 5 Point 6 Point 7 Point 8 Point 9 Point 10 Increment 0PAA$81,612 PAB$84,833 PAC$88,963 PAD$93,433 PAE$98,255 PAF$103,459 PAG$109,081 PAH$115,158 PAI$121,713 PAJ$128,802 Section-level leader responsible for training, discipline, and day-to-day outputs.
Pay Progression
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Row Point 1 Point 2 Point 3 Point 4 Point 5 Point 6 Point 7 Point 8 Point 9 Point 10 Increment 2PAA$89,857 PAB$93,081 PAC$97,212 PAD$101,677 PAE$106,503 PAF$111,706 PAG$117,327 PAH$123,404 PAI$129,959 PAJ$137,047 Increment 1PAA$88,398 PAB$91,620 PAC$95,754 PAD$100,219 PAE$105,042 PAF$110,246 PAG$115,871 PAH$121,945 PAI$128,502 PAJ$135,586 Increment 0PAA$86,966 PAB$90,189 PAC$94,324 PAD$98,787 PAE$103,607 PAF$108,817 PAG$114,442 PAH$120,514 PAI$127,074 PAJ$134,164 Senior non-commissioned officer supporting platoon-level leadership and mentoring junior leaders.
Pay Progression
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Row Point 1 Point 2 Point 3 Point 4 Point 5 Point 6 Point 7 Point 8 Point 9 Point 10 Increment 2PAA$100,898 PAB$104,120 PAC$108,257 PAD$112,718 PAE$117,543 PAF$122,747 PAG$128,371 PAH$134,445 PAI$141,006 PAJ$148,091 Increment 1PAA$99,220 PAB$102,443 PAC$106,575 PAD$111,041 PAE$115,864 PAF$121,073 PAG$126,690 PAH$132,767 PAI$139,326 PAJ$146,413 Increment 0PAA$97,575 PAB$100,797 PAC$104,930 PAD$109,397 PAE$114,219 PAF$119,427 PAG$125,047 PAH$131,122 PAI$137,681 PAJ$144,768
Warrant Officer
6
- RankMinMax
Experienced senior soldier coordinating training, logistics, or specialist outputs.
Pay Progression
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Row Point 1 Point 2 Point 3 Point 4 Point 5 Point 6 Point 7 Point 8 Point 9 Point 10 Increment 0PAA$106,734 PAB$109,956 PAC$114,087 PAD$118,553 PAE$123,376 PAF$128,584 PAG$134,206 PAH$140,278 PAI$146,838 PAJ$153,925 Senior unit adviser on standards, training, and soldier leadership.
Pay Progression
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Row Point 1 Point 2 Point 3 Point 4 Point 5 Point 6 Point 7 Point 8 Point 9 Point 10 Increment 1PAA$111,623 PAB$114,844 PAC$118,979 PAD$123,446 PAE$128,267 PAF$133,473 PAG$139,097 PAH$145,172 PAI$151,730 PAJ$158,815 Increment 0PAA$109,733 PAB$112,956 PAC$117,094 PAD$121,557 PAE$126,379 PAF$131,586 PAG$137,211 PAH$143,286 PAI$149,842 PAJ$156,929 Provides senior soldier leadership and specialist expertise across units and formations.
Pay Progression
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Row Point 1 Point 2 Point 3 Point 4 Point 5 Point 6 Point 7 Point 8 Point 9 Point 10 Tier A 1PWA$119,455 PWB$122,679 PWC$126,815 PWD$131,275 PWE$136,098 PWF$141,304 PWG$146,930 PWH$153,002 PWI$159,562 PWJ$166,648 Tier A 0PWA$117,408 PWB$120,630 PWC$124,762 PWD$129,230 PWE$134,052 PWF$139,253 PWG$144,881 PWH$150,955 PWI$157,512 PWJ$164,598 Holds broader supervisory and advisory responsibility across senior Army roles.
Pay Progression
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Row Point 4 Point 5 Point 6 Point 7 Point 8 Point 9 Point 10 Tier B 0PXD$134,419 PXE$139,245 PXF$144,452 PXG$150,074 PXH$156,144 PXI$162,712 PXJ$169,795 Represents the highest warrant tier focused on standards, advice, and workforce leadership.
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Row Point 8 Point 9 Point 10 Tier C 0PXR$156,144 PXS$162,712 PXT$169,795 Serves as Army's senior soldier adviser on standards, culture, and the enlisted workforce.
Pay Progression
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Row Plan Salary Service Warrant Officer PXU $169,795
Officer
12
- RankMinMax
Newly commissioned officer learning platoon leadership and basic command responsibilities.
Pay Progression
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Row Point 1 Point 2 Point 3 Point 4 Point 5 Point 6 Point 7 Point 8 Point 9 Point 10 Increment 1PGA$89,435 PGB$94,828 PGD$101,055 PGF$106,443 PGI$112,455 PGJ$119,196 PGK$125,958 PGL$133,279 PGM$140,603 PGN$145,493 Increment 0PGA$87,091 PGB$92,486 PGD$98,708 PGF$104,099 PGI$110,113 PGJ$116,850 PGK$123,618 PGL$130,935 PGM$138,260 PGN$143,150 Junior officer leading platoons and coordinating training or field tasks.
Pay Progression
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Row Point 1 Point 2 Point 3 Point 4 Point 5 Point 6 Point 7 Point 8 Point 9 Point 10 Increment 3PGA$100,259 PGB$105,647 PGD$111,872 PGF$117,264 PGI$123,270 PGJ$130,010 PGK$136,778 PGL$144,101 PGM$151,421 PGN$156,316 Increment 2PGA$97,357 PGB$102,750 PGD$108,973 PGF$114,362 PGI$120,377 PGJ$127,117 PGK$133,881 PGL$141,203 PGM$148,526 PGN$153,415 Increment 1PGA$94,508 PGB$99,899 PGD$106,126 PGF$111,517 PGI$117,527 PGJ$124,265 PGK$131,030 PGL$138,356 PGM$145,675 PGN$150,567 Increment 0PGA$91,778 PGB$97,168 PGD$103,395 PGF$108,786 PGI$114,798 PGJ$121,538 PGK$128,300 PGL$135,620 PGM$142,944 PGN$147,835 Officer often commanding sub-units or serving in operations, logistics, or staff roles.
Pay Progression
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Field-grade officer managing company operations, planning, or specialist staff functions.
Pay Progression
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Row Point 1 Point 2 Point 3 Point 4 Point 5 Point 6 Point 7 Point 8 Point 9 Point 10 Increment 2PGA$137,420 PGB$142,811 PGD$149,037 PGF$154,428 PGI$160,440 PGJ$167,178 PGK$173,943 PGL$181,265 PGM$188,583 PGN$193,476 Increment 1PGA$133,718 PGB$139,113 PGD$145,336 PGF$150,726 PGI$156,738 PGJ$163,481 PGK$170,243 PGL$177,565 PGM$184,887 PGN$189,775 Increment 0PGA$130,007 PGB$135,402 PGD$141,624 PGF$147,014 PGI$153,028 PGJ$159,769 PGK$166,532 PGL$173,855 PGM$181,175 PGN$186,067 Senior officer commonly commanding a battalion-sized unit or major staff branch.
Pay Progression
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Row Point 1 Point 2 Point 3 Point 4 Point 5 Point 6 Point 7 Point 8 Point 9 Point 10 Increment 1PGA$164,718 PGB$170,113 PGD$176,340 PGF$181,730 PGI$187,741 PGJ$194,479 PGK$201,244 PGL$208,567 PGM$215,886 PGN$220,780 Increment 0PGA$159,440 PGB$164,832 PGD$171,058 PGF$176,450 PGI$182,462 PGJ$189,202 PGK$195,963 PGL$203,286 PGM$210,608 PGN$215,502 Senior officer leading major formations, headquarters functions, or capability areas.
Pay Progression
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Row Point 1 Point 2 Point 3 Point 4 Point 5 Point 6 Point 7 Point 8 Point 9 Point 10 Increment 1PGA$192,318 PGB$197,710 PGD$203,932 PGF$209,323 PGI$215,338 PGJ$222,075 PGK$228,844 PGL$236,158 PGM$243,480 PGN$248,376 Increment 0PGA$186,934 PGB$192,324 PGD$198,552 PGF$203,938 PGI$209,953 PGJ$216,693 PGK$223,452 PGL$230,777 PGM$238,100 PGN$242,990 Newly commissioned officer learning platoon leadership and basic command responsibilities. Legacy transitional pay structure closed to new entrants.
- Closed to new entrants in the official ADF military salary rates.
Pay Progression
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Row Point 1 Point 2 Point 3 Point 4 Point 5 Point 6 Point 7 Point 8 Point 9 Point 10 Increment 0PSA$103,977 PSB$109,371 PSD$115,592 PSF$120,986 PSI$126,998 PSJ$133,735 PSK$140,501 PSL$147,822 PSM$155,144 PSN$160,034 Junior officer leading platoons and coordinating training or field tasks. Legacy transitional pay structure closed to new entrants.
- Closed to new entrants in the official ADF military salary rates.
Pay Progression
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Row Point 1 Point 2 Point 3 Point 4 Point 5 Point 6 Point 7 Point 8 Point 9 Point 10 Increment 3PSA$113,916 PSB$119,309 PSD$125,532 PSF$130,923 PSI$136,936 PSJ$143,675 PSK$150,440 PSL$157,758 PSM$165,081 PSN$169,973 Increment 2PSA$111,430 PSB$116,823 PSD$123,046 PSF$128,440 PSI$134,449 PSJ$141,191 PSK$147,952 PSL$155,273 PSM$162,602 PSN$167,487 Increment 1PSA$108,945 PSB$114,340 PSD$120,562 PSF$125,954 PSI$131,968 PSJ$138,707 PSK$145,466 PSL$152,791 PSM$160,114 PSN$165,005 Increment 0PSA$106,454 PSB$111,847 PSD$118,069 PSF$123,461 PSI$129,472 PSJ$136,213 PSK$142,975 PSL$150,298 PSM$157,623 PSN$162,508 Officer often commanding sub-units or serving in operations, logistics, or staff roles. Legacy transitional pay structure closed to new entrants.
- Closed to new entrants in the official ADF military salary rates.
Pay Progression
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Row Point 1 Point 2 Point 3 Point 4 Point 5 Point 6 Point 7 Point 8 Point 9 Point 10 Increment 3PSA$123,850 PSB$129,247 PSD$135,472 PSF$140,861 PSI$146,875 PSJ$153,614 PSK$160,378 PSL$167,702 PSM$175,024 PSN$179,912 Increment 2PSA$121,367 PSB$126,760 PSD$132,985 PSF$138,375 PSI$144,388 PSJ$151,125 PSK$157,892 PSL$165,213 PSM$172,532 PSN$177,426 Increment 1PSA$118,876 PSB$124,266 PSD$130,495 PSF$135,881 PSI$141,896 PSJ$148,635 PSK$155,397 PSL$162,722 PSM$170,038 PSN$174,931 Increment 0PSA$116,394 PSB$121,789 PSD$128,014 PSF$133,408 PSI$139,417 PSJ$146,157 PSK$152,916 PSL$160,241 PSM$167,566 PSN$172,456 One-star officer commanding brigades or major headquarters portfolios.
Pay Progression
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Row Plan Salary Increment 0 PGM $282,677 Three-star officer leading service-wide or joint strategic responsibilities.
- The official ADF military salary rates also list position amounts of $46,025 (point 2) and $88,744 (point 3) alongside the salary row.
Pay Progression
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Row Plan Salary Salary PG1 $478,781
Current pay rates · Source: Department of Defence.
Army salary ranges
Lowest
$34,220/ yr
Median
$132,802/ yr
Top
$478,781/ yr
Compare two rank groups
Tap to change
$0$100K$200K$300K$400K$500K
Enlisted
5 ranks·$79k–$148k
Officer
9 ranks·$87k–$479k
Δ Lowest
+$7,995/ yr
Δ Median
+$84,903/ yr
Δ Top
+$330,690/ yr
On top of base pay
Pay & Conditions ManualADF allowances and benefits
ADF superannuation
16.4%vs 12% civilian standard(+4.4pp)
ADF members receive a 16.4% employer super rate — well above the standard Super Guarantee.
Cash allowancesService allowances paid on top of base salary
Service2
Compensates the unique demands of military service.
Operational1
Warlike and non-warlike operations — rate by zone and threat level.
Location1
Remote postings such as Darwin, Townsville, Tindal.
Non-cash benefitsHousing, healthcare and ADF support entitlements
- ADF Health (medical and dental)IncludedAll permanent members
- Defence housing (DHA)DHADefence Housing Australia
- Uniforms and kitIssuedMaintained at Defence cost
- Tax-free deploymentOperationalOn certified deployments
- Retention bonusConditionalSpecialist trades
- Fully paid trainingLifelongTrade, leadership, degree pathways
Rates and eligibility set by ADF Pay and Conditions.
About Australian Army Pay Scales
The Australian Army section mirrors the current official ADF military salary rates. It covers permanent base-rate schedules and trainee schedule B.13 for 31 pay groups, ranging from $34,220 up to $478,781. Specialist, reserve, aviation, cyber, and Military Factor tables are not included on this page.
Figures are annual gross base salary. Army members are paid fortnightly (26 cycles a year), so divide by 26 for a per-fortnight gross figure, by 12 for an approximate monthly amount, or by 52 for a weekly equivalent. Use the timeframe toggle on the salary table above to switch any rank between yearly, monthly, fortnightly, and weekly views.
Army Enlisted Pay — Private to Sergeant
In the permanent Army schedules, a Private (PTE) earns from $79,096 to $126,292, a Corporal (CPL) from $86,966 to $137,047, and a Sergeant (SGT) from $97,575 to $148,091. Army-only rows such as Lance Corporal (LCPL) and Staff Sergeant (SSGT) also appear in the single-service table because they exist in the official ADF military salary rates.
Army Warrant Officer Pay — WO2 and WO1 Tiers A/B/C
A Warrant Officer Class 2 (WO2) sits at $109,733 to $158,815. The senior Warrant Officer Class 1 (WO1) grade is split across three tiers: Tier A from $117,408 to $166,648, Tier B from $134,419 to $169,795, and Tier C from $156,144 to $169,795. The WO1 three-tier split is an Army-specific structure that does not exist in Navy or Air Force pay schedules.
Army Officer Pay — Lieutenant to Lieutenant General
Among permanent officers, a Captain (CAPT) ranges from $106,257 to $179,912 and a Major (MAJ) from $130,007 to $193,476. Senior officer rows continue through Lieutenant Colonel (LTCOL), Colonel (COL), Brigadier (BRIG), Major General (MAJGEN), and Lieutenant General (LTGEN) at the top of the permanent schedule.
Drop any figure from the tables above into the tax calculator to see take-home pay after PAYG, Medicare and HECS, or weigh up a posting move against a civilian offer with the salary comparison tool.
Use this page when
- You want the current Army base salary for a specific rank and increment.
- You are comparing Army pay against another service or a civilian role.
- You need to estimate take-home pay after PAYG, Medicare and HECS.
- You want to understand which allowances sit on top of base pay.
ADF superannuation: 16.4%, not the civilian default
ADF members get 16.4% employer super on base pay, well above the 12% civilian Super Guarantee. On a six-figure base, the gap alone is worth several thousand a year before any contributions you add through salary sacrifice. The exact split between ADF Super (accumulation) and the legacy MSBS (defined benefit) depends on your enlistment date.
When does the ADF get a pay rise?
Pay movements come from the ADF Workplace Remuneration Arrangement (WRA), which is negotiated for a fixed term and delivers scheduled annual increases. The current pay schedule applies the latest WRA increase, with further movements built into the determination.
What is the Military Factor?
Military Factor is a recognition payment built into ADF base salaries — it compensates for the 24/7 nature of military service, liability for deployment, and conditions civilians do not face. It is already embedded in the salary figures on this page, not a separate top-up.
MSBS vs ADF Super
Members who joined before 1 July 2016 are usually in MSBS (the defined-benefit Military Superannuation and Benefits Scheme). Members who joined from that date are in ADF Super, an accumulation scheme with 16.4% employer contributions plus an insurance-style death and invalidity cover.
How Army pay compares to civilian roles
Base salaries are broadly competitive with equivalent public and private roles, but total compensation is typically higher once you factor in 16.4% super, tax-free deployment allowances, subsidised medical and dental, and housing assistance. Use Compare Job Offers to model the after-tax gap.
Reading increments and PMKEYS plan codes
Read the table as rank → increment → salary. Increment 0 is the promotion entry point. PAA / PAB / PAJ are PMKEYS pay grade codes for other-rank tables; officer tables use PGA–PGN. Payslip labels may not match the table label exactly.
Reserve and part-time service
Reserve members on Service Category 5 (active reserve) are paid the same daily rate as their permanent equivalent but on a tax-free basis up to the published limit. Reserve and specialist tables are not included on this page — refer to the linked determination for the full set.
Army-only ranks and structural quirks
Two enlisted rows appear only in Army: Lance Corporal (LCPL) sits between Private and Corporal, and Staff Sergeant (SSGT) between Sergeant and Warrant Officer Class 2. Navy and Air Force have no equivalents. Army also splits Warrant Officer Class 1 across three tiers (A, B, C) where the other services use a single tier system, and the Regimental Sergeant Major of the Army is a unique senior appointment with its own pay grade.
Rates effective 6 Nov 2025 under the Official ADF Military Salary Rates. Checked against official sources 18 July 2026 — no newer pay determination in force.
Comparing pay across Navy, Army and Air Force? See the full cross-service rank and salary table →
More reading
Related guides
Background reading on tax, super, and salary topics.
Superannuation Contributions GuideConcessional caps, non-concessional caps, Division 293, voluntary contributions, and carry-forward.Complete Salary Sacrifice GuideWhat salary sacrifice is, how it saves tax, and which types (super, cars, healthcare) are available.How Income Tax Works in AustraliaTax brackets, marginal vs effective rates, LITO, Medicare levy, and HECS — everything in one place.Medicare Levy Surcharge CalculatorCheck whether you owe the surcharge, find your tier and rate, and weigh private hospital cover against the cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the Army recruit training salary in the official ADF military salary rates?
The official ADF military salary rates list Army recruit basic training at $60,517 per year effective 06 November 2025. The same trainee schedule then shows initial employment training at $69,162 for 0-6 months, $72,621 for 6-12 months, and $76,079 for 12 months and beyond.
What permanent Army base rates are shown on this page?
The Army page covers the permanent base-rate schedules from Private through Lieutenant General, plus Army trainee schedule B.13 entries. It also keeps Army-only rows such as Lance Corporal and Staff Sergeant visible in the single-service table because those rows exist in the official ADF military salary rates.
How does Army superannuation compare to civilian employment?
This site shows ADF employer superannuation separately at 16.4% for pay comparisons and take-home estimates. Compared with the standard civilian rate of 12%, that would mean $19,680 in employer super on a $120,000 base salary rather than $14,400.
What is the salary range for an Army officer in the permanent tables?
In the permanent officer schedules, Second Lieutenant (2LT) starts at $87,091, Lieutenant (LT) ranges from $91,778 to $156,316, Captain (CAPT) ranges from $106,257 to $179,912, Major (MAJ) ranges from $130,007 to $193,476, and Colonel (COL) ranges from $186,934 to $248,376. Senior officer rows continue through Brigadier, Major General, and Lieutenant General.
What is the difference between Warrant Officer Class 1 tiers and Warrant Officer Class 2?
The official permanent tables show Warrant Officer Class 2 (WO2) at $109,733 to $158,815, while Warrant Officer Class 1 (WO1) is split into Tier A, Tier B, and Tier C. Tier A runs from $117,408 to $166,648, Tier B from $134,419 to $169,795, and Tier C from $156,144 to $169,795.
What do increment 0 and plan codes like PAA, PAB, and PGA mean in Army pay tables?
In the ADF pay tables, an increment such as increment 0, increment 1, or increment 2 labels the salary row within a rank grouping. Increment 0 is the starting pay point when someone is promoted into that rank, and later increments are higher pay steps within the same rank. On some payslips, that promotion entry point may appear differently, so the label on a payslip may not always match the table wording exactly. Codes such as PAA to PAJ and PGA to PGN are the PMKEYS pay grade codes shown in the tables. The simplest way to read a row is rank first, then increment, then salary, with the plan code helping you match that row back to the official table.
Is Australian Army salary tax free?
Australian Army base salary is subject to standard income tax, Medicare levy, and HECS/HELP repayments — the same rules that apply to civilian employment. Some allowances are treated differently: deployment allowance paid during eligible overseas operations may be exempt from income tax under ATO provisions. Service allowance and field allowance are generally taxable. Use the pay calculator on this site to estimate take-home pay from any Army rank salary after tax and Medicare.
Does this page cover Army Reserve pay?
No. This page shows permanent (full-time) Army base rates and trainee schedule B.13 only. Army Reserve members are paid a daily rate equivalent to their permanent rank, calculated on a service category basis, but those schedules are outside the scope shown here. For current Reserve pay rates, refer to the official ADF Pay and Conditions website at pay-conditions.defence.gov.au.
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