Australian public service salary scales
Current pay tables for the APS, defence agencies, and every state and territory service — with super context, take-home estimates, and the classification levels closest to a target salary.
10 pages · 3 federal · 7 state/territory · 43 streams · $37,768 - $862,213
Choose the salary page you need
Start with the relevant public service, then use the detailed page for every band, increment, stream, and calculator link.
Federal and defence agencies
Australian Public Service (Federal)
- Range
- $57,497 - $292,961
- Coverage
- 10 bands · Single stream
- Super
- 15.4%
- Rates
- From 12 Mar 2026
From APS 1 to Senior Executive Service 2 (SES2).
Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG)
- Range
- $63,449 - $227,491
- Coverage
- 6 bands · Single stream
- Super
- 15.4%
From S&T Level 1–2 (APS 2–3/4 equivalent) to S&T Level 8 (Executive Level 2 top).
Australian Signals Directorate (ASD)
- Range
- $57,497 - $227,590
- Coverage
- 11 bands · Single stream
- Super
- 15.4%
From ASD Level 1 to Trainee ASD (Technical).
State and territory services
NSW Public Service
- Range
- $37,768 - $231,506
- Coverage
- 61 bands · 7 streams
- Super
- 13%
- Rates
- From 1 July 2026
From Clerks General Scale to Clerks Grade 12.
Victorian Public Service
- Range
- $56,677 - $862,213
- Coverage
- 75 bands · 9 streams
- Super
- 12%
- Rates
- From 1 May 2026
From VPS Grade 1 to Department Head / VPSC Commissioner.
Queensland Public Service
- Range
- $41,429 - $263,778
- Coverage
- 46 bands · 6 streams
- Super
- 12%
- Rates
- From 1 Sept 2025
From Level 1 to Level 8.
South Australia Public Service
- Range
- $58,626 - $245,985
- Coverage
- 32 bands · 4 streams
- Super
- 12%
- Rates
- From 1 July 2026
From ASO Level 1 to SS/SM 2.
Western Australia Public Service
- Range
- $68,028 - $273,991
- Coverage
- 29 bands · 3 streams
- Super
- 12%
- Rates
- From 13 June 2026
From Level 1 to Class 4.
Tasmania Public Service
- Range
- $52,780 - $306,623
- Coverage
- 37 bands · 5 streams
- Super
- 12%
- Rates
- From 9 Jan 2026
From Band 1 to Band 10.
Northern Territory Public Service
- Range
- $62,069 - $181,724
- Coverage
- 37 bands · 6 streams
- Super
- 12%
- Rates
- From 17 Nov 2025
From Administrative Officer 2 (AO2) to Executive Officer 3 (EO3).
Find your rough pay
Pick a public service and classification to preview the annual range, midpoint take-home pay, and employer super.
The midpoint sits in the lower third of the public service pay range.
Find the level for your target pay
Enter the annual salary you want and choose a jurisdiction to see the closest published classification levels.
See how career paths line up
Classification systems are not exact matches, but the progression chart gives a practical side-by-side view of how published salary bands move from entry-level roles toward senior levels.
Career Progression Path
Visualize salary growth across career levels (gross salary)
Select Jurisdictions to Compare:
How progression works: This chart shows salary growth from entry-level (Level 1) to senior management (Level 8). Hover over the points to see the specific classification for each jurisdiction at that level.
Start with the label on your job ad or payslip
Public service classification labels vary by jurisdiction. Use the guide to choose the right salary page, then search the detailed pay table for the exact band or increment.
| Looking for | Common labels | Start here |
|---|---|---|
| APS and executive levels | APS 4, APS 6, EL1, EL2, SES | APS salary scales |
| Defence agency specialists | DSTG S&T, ASD Level 6, ASD EL2 | DSTG salary scalesASD salary scales |
| NSW public service grades | Clerk 5/6, Clerk 7/8, PSSE | NSW salary scales |
| Victoria and Queensland roles | VPS 4, VPS 5, AO5, PO4 | VIC salary scalesQLD salary scales |
| Other state and territory levels | ASO6, WA Level 5, TAS Band 4, NT AO6 | SA salary scalesWA salary scalesTAS salary scalesNT salary scales |
Understanding public service pay scales
Public service pay is set by classification — a published level that fixes a salary band and the increments within it. The Australian Public Service (APS) runs federal roles through levels APS 1–6, the Executive Levels EL1 and EL2, and the Senior Executive Service, while each state and territory keeps its own labels, awards, and enterprise agreements. Browse every published band on the APS 1–6, EL1 and EL2 pay scales page, or choose another government from the jurisdiction list above.
Superannuation also depends on the employer. APS and the federal defence science agencies pay an elevated employer rate of 15.4%, while most state and territory roles use the standard Superannuation Guarantee rate of 12%. Always confirm the full package on the detailed salary page and its source agreement, since allowances and pay points are role-specific.
To see what a band is worth in your pocket, use the rough pay finder for a quick take-home estimate, or open the full take-home pay calculator to add HECS-HELP, salary sacrifice, and other deductions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which public service salary pages are covered?
The hub covers APS, DSTG, ASD, and state or territory public service salary pages for NSW, VIC, QLD, SA, WA, TAS, and NT. Each detailed page shows the published classification bands and links to take-home pay estimates.
Is APS the same as state public service pay?
No. APS is the federal public service classification system, while each state and territory uses its own labels, awards, agreements, and streams. The hub helps you choose the right page before comparing salary ranges.
Can classification levels be compared directly?
Only approximately. Labels such as APS 6, VPS 4, NSW Clerk 7/8, QLD AO5, SA ASO6, WA Level 5, TAS Band 4, and NT AO6 can be used as rough guideposts, but exact role responsibility and pay points come from the relevant agreement.
Why do federal and state super rates differ?
APS, DSTG, and ASD commonly use the federal public service employer super rate, currently 15.4%, while most state and territory salary pages use the standard Superannuation Guarantee rate, currently 12%. Always check the detailed salary page and source agreement for the role-specific package.
Where should I check exact pay points?
Open the relevant jurisdiction page and search the detailed pay table for the classification, stream, or increment. Agency-specific agreements and HR advice remain the source of truth for an individual role.
How are take-home estimates calculated?
Take-home links use the site's tax calculator with the selected salary. Estimates apply the current tax, Medicare, and super settings used across Wage Calculator, while optional deductions such as HECS or salary sacrifice can be adjusted in the calculator.
Can I find which public service level matches a target salary?
Yes. Use the target pay lookup to enter an annual salary and choose a jurisdiction or stream. The hub shows the closest published classification levels, whether the target sits inside a band, and the nearest published increment where the source data includes steps.
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