Australian Public Service (Federal)
Classification bands
8 levels · single stream
APS1.2 |
APS1.3 |
APS1.4 |
APS2.1 |
APS2.2 |
APS2.3 |
APS3.1 |
APS3.2 |
APS3.3 |
APS4.1 |
APS4.2 |
APS4.3 |
APS4.4 |
APS5.1 |
APS5.2 |
APS5.3 |
APS6.1 |
APS6.2 |
APS6.3 |
APS6.4 |
EL1.1 |
EL1.2 |
EL1.3 |
EL1.4 |
EL1.5 |
EL1.6 |
EL1.7 |
EL2.1 |
EL2.2 |
EL2.3 |
EL2.4 |
EL2.5 |
EL2.6 |
EL2.7 |
Notes
- ·Rates are effective 12 March 2026 under the APSC Enterprise Agreement 2024-2027.
- ·Individual APS agencies operate under their own enterprise agreements — actual salaries may differ.
- ·Superannuation is set at 15.4% (the APS employer contribution rate), additional to base salary.
- ·The table stops at Executive Level 2 because Senior Executive Service remuneration is set through agency-specific arrangements; there is no single current APS-wide SES scale.
- ·Defence-only Building Defence Capability Payments are not included in this general APSC scale.
Salaries are indicative and based on publicly available data. Verify with your agency HR for accurate, role-specific information.
Salary Snapshot
APS salary bands, shown per year.
Entry salary
$57,497
APS 1
Top salary
$174,790
Executive Level 2 (EL2)
Midpoint band
$93,650
APS 5
Classifications
8
Current pay structure
Classification range chart
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About APS Pay Scales & Classification Levels
The Australian Public Service (APS) sets pay across 8 classification levels, from APS 1 ($57,497–$60,946) up to Executive Level 2 (EL2) ($155,479–$174,790). Rates are set under agency enterprise agreements built on the APS-wide framework, and the take-home figures below already account for income tax, Medicare and the elevated APS employer super rate.
How APS pay rises work
APS salaries move under each agency's enterprise agreement, with the column shown effective from 12 March 2026.
Classification levels & progression
Each classification spans several pay points. You move up the pay points by annual increment, and between classifications by promotion to a higher-graded role.
- APS 1–4 cover entry-level and administrative roles.
- APS 5–6 cover experienced and specialist roles.
- Executive Level (EL1, EL2) covers management and senior technical roles.
- Senior Executive Service (SES) remuneration is set through agency-specific arrangements, so it sits outside the APS-wide scale shown above.
Superannuation & allowances
APS employees receive 15.4% employer superannuation — above the standard Superannuation Guarantee rate.
Total remuneration
Base salary plus 15.4% super, with any agency-specific allowances on top.
Pay differences between agencies
The bands above are the APS baseline. Individual agencies bargain their own enterprise agreements, so exact pay points can sit above this baseline.
- Large agencies such as the ATO and Services Australia run their own agreements.
- Allowances, increment timing and starting salaries can differ by agency.
Source: Australian Public Service Commission Enterprise Agreement 2024-2027
Key Information
APS salary facts, agreement context and conditions to check before comparing pay.
Effective date
Rates are effective 12 March 2026 under the APSC Enterprise Agreement 2024-2027.
Source agreement
Individual APS agencies operate under their own enterprise agreements — actual salaries may differ.
Employer super
Superannuation is set at 15.4% (the APS employer contribution rate), additional to base salary.
Classification note
The table stops at Executive Level 2 because Senior Executive Service remuneration is set through agency-specific arrangements; there is no single current APS-wide SES scale.
Key detail
Defence-only Building Defence Capability Payments are not included in this general APSC scale.
Rates effective 12 Mar 2026 under the Australian Public Service Commission Enterprise Agreement 2024-2027. Checked against official sources 27 July 2026 — APSC APS1–EL2 schedule verified; SES and Defence-only payments excluded.
Compare Pay Scales
Compare public service salary scales across federal, state and territory jurisdictions.
APS Salary Guide by Classification
Quick reference for every Australian Public Service (Federal) classification and what it pays in 2026–2027— gross salary plus the estimated take-home pay, employer super, and total package the salary table doesn't show. Select any level to calculate your exact take-home pay after tax, Medicare, and super.
APS 1 Salary
An APS 1 (also written as APS1 or APS Level 1) earns $57,497–$60,946 gross — roughly $49,000–$51,000 take-home after income tax and Medicare, plus 15.4% employer super (~$66,000–$70,000 total package). Entry level administrative and support roles.
Calculate APS 1 take-home pay →APS 2 Salary
An APS 2 (also written as APS2 or APS Level 2) earns $62,775–$69,317 gross — roughly $52,000–$57,000 take-home after income tax and Medicare, plus 15.4% employer super (~$72,000–$80,000 total package). Administrative and technical support roles.
Calculate APS 2 take-home pay →APS 3 Salary
An APS 3 (also written as APS3 or APS Level 3) earns $72,397–$76,820 gross — roughly $59,000–$62,000 take-home after income tax and Medicare, plus 15.4% employer super (~$84,000–$89,000 total package). Experienced administrative and technical roles.
Calculate APS 3 take-home pay →APS 4 Salary
An APS 4 (also written as APS4 or APS Level 4) earns $79,731–$86,246 gross — roughly $64,000–$68,000 take-home after income tax and Medicare, plus 15.4% employer super (~$92,000–$100,000 total package). Senior administrative and technical roles.
Calculate APS 4 take-home pay →APS 5 Salary
An APS 5 (also written as APS5 or APS Level 5) earns $89,463–$97,837 gross — roughly $70,000–$76,000 take-home after income tax and Medicare, plus 15.4% employer super (~$103,000–$113,000 total package). Team leader and specialist roles.
Calculate APS 5 take-home pay →APS 6 Salary
An APS 6 (also written as APS6 or APS Level 6) earns $101,855–$111,701 gross — roughly $79,000–$84,000 take-home after income tax and Medicare, plus 15.4% employer super (~$118,000–$129,000 total package). Senior specialist and supervisory roles.
Calculate APS 6 take-home pay →EL1 Salary — Executive Level 1
An EL1 (also referred to as EL 1, APS EL1, or APS Executive Level 1) earns $123,996–$142,116 gross — roughly $92,000–$104,000 take-home after income tax and Medicare, plus 15.4% employer super (~$143,000–$164,000 total package). Middle management and senior specialist roles.
Calculate EL1 take-home pay →EL2 Salary — Executive Level 2
An EL2 (also referred to as EL 2, APS EL2, or APS Executive Level 2) earns $155,479–$174,790 gross — roughly $112,000–$123,000 take-home after income tax and Medicare, plus 15.4% employer super (~$179,000–$202,000 total package). Senior management roles.
Calculate EL2 take-home pay →Take-home and total package figures are estimates. Take-home excludes HECS/HELP, the Medicare Levy Surcharge, and salary sacrifice, and assumes a resident taxpayer claiming the tax-free threshold. Total package adds employer super to gross salary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the APS 1 salary?
An APS 1 (also written as APS1 or APS Level 1) earns $57,497 to $60,946 per year as set by the Australian Public Service Commission Enterprise Agreement 2024-2027. After income tax and Medicare levy, take-home pay is approximately $49,000–$51,000 per year. This classification covers entry level administrative and support roles. APS employees receive 15.4% employer superannuation.
What is the APS 2 salary?
An APS 2 (also written as APS2 or APS Level 2) earns $62,775 to $69,317 per year as set by the Australian Public Service Commission Enterprise Agreement 2024-2027. After income tax and Medicare levy, take-home pay is approximately $52,000–$57,000 per year. This classification covers administrative and technical support roles. APS employees receive 15.4% employer superannuation.
What is the APS 3 salary?
An APS 3 (also written as APS3 or APS Level 3) earns $72,397 to $76,820 per year as set by the Australian Public Service Commission Enterprise Agreement 2024-2027. After income tax and Medicare levy, take-home pay is approximately $59,000–$62,000 per year. This classification covers experienced administrative and technical roles. APS employees receive 15.4% employer superannuation.
What is the APS 4 salary?
An APS 4 (also written as APS4 or APS Level 4) earns $79,731 to $86,246 per year as set by the Australian Public Service Commission Enterprise Agreement 2024-2027. After income tax and Medicare levy, take-home pay is approximately $64,000–$68,000 per year. This classification covers senior administrative and technical roles. APS employees receive 15.4% employer superannuation.
What is the APS 5 salary?
An APS 5 (also written as APS5 or APS Level 5) earns $89,463 to $97,837 per year as set by the Australian Public Service Commission Enterprise Agreement 2024-2027. After income tax and Medicare levy, take-home pay is approximately $70,000–$76,000 per year. This classification covers team leader and specialist roles. APS employees receive 15.4% employer superannuation.
What is the APS 6 salary?
An APS 6 (also written as APS6 or APS Level 6) earns $101,855 to $111,701 per year as set by the Australian Public Service Commission Enterprise Agreement 2024-2027. After income tax and Medicare levy, take-home pay is approximately $79,000–$84,000 per year. This classification covers senior specialist and supervisory roles. APS employees receive 15.4% employer superannuation.
What is the EL1 salary?
An EL1 (also referred to as EL 1, APS EL1, or APS Executive Level 1) earns $123,996 to $142,116 per year as set by the Australian Public Service Commission Enterprise Agreement 2024-2027. After income tax and Medicare levy, take-home pay is approximately $92,000–$104,000 per year. This classification covers middle management and senior specialist roles. APS employees receive 15.4% employer superannuation.
What is the EL2 salary?
An EL2 (also referred to as EL 2, APS EL2, or APS Executive Level 2) earns $155,479 to $174,790 per year as set by the Australian Public Service Commission Enterprise Agreement 2024-2027. After income tax and Medicare levy, take-home pay is approximately $112,000–$123,000 per year. This classification covers senior management roles. APS employees receive 15.4% employer superannuation.
What are the current APS salary scales?
The current Australian Public Service Commission salary scale is set under the Australian Public Service Commission Enterprise Agreement 2024-2027 and spans $57,497–$174,790 across APS 1–6 and Executive Level 1–2. See the salary table above for each pay point. Senior Executive Service remuneration is agency-specific and is not represented as a single APS-wide scale. Eligible employees receive 15.4% employer superannuation on top of base salary.
How does APS pay compare to state public service salaries?
APS salaries are broadly competitive with state equivalents at entry and mid levels, though some state jurisdictions like Queensland and Western Australia can pay more at senior levels. The key APS advantage is its 15.4% employer superannuation rate — above the standard 12% Superannuation Guarantee — which adds meaningfully to your total remuneration package.
When is the next APS salary increase?
The Australian Public Service Commission Enterprise Agreement 2024-2027 has delivered its final scheduled salary increase. The table shows the APSC rates now in force for APS 1 through EL2. Other APS agencies operate under their own enterprise agreements, so employees should check their agency's instrument for any later schedule or successor agreement.
How does a HECS/HELP debt affect APS take-home pay?
APS employees with a HECS/HELP debt have a compulsory repayment withheld through PAYG once their income exceeds the repayment threshold ($69,528). The repayment is a share of income that rises as you earn more, so it grows as you move up the APS classifications. Enable the HECS toggle in the Tax Calculator on this site to see the exact effect on your take-home pay.
Can APS employees salary sacrifice?
Yes. APS employees can salary sacrifice into superannuation, where concessional contributions are taxed at the concessional super rate rather than your full marginal income-tax rate — the higher your marginal rate, the larger the saving. Some agencies also offer novated vehicle leases. Check your agency's enterprise agreement and HR policies for the specific options available to you.
What leave entitlements do APS employees receive?
Under the NAA Enterprise Agreement, APS employees receive 20 days annual leave, 18 days personal/carer's leave per year, 3 days Christmas stand-down leave, and long service leave at approximately 3 months per 10 years of continuous service. These entitlements represent significant additional value beyond base salary.
How does APS pay compare to private sector IT and policy roles?
At APS 3–5 levels, private sector IT roles in Sydney and Melbourne typically pay more in base salary, but APS offers 15.4% employer super (above the statutory 12%), job security, and structured career progression. The gap narrows considerably at APS 6–EL1 once total remuneration is compared, while senior private sector roles tend to outpace APS EL2 base rates.
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