Queensland Professional Stream Salary Scales
Professional
Professional stream
6 bands · $50,482–$163,552
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Notes
- ·Administrative, Professional, Technical, Operational and Safe Food Queensland rates are award minimums from the Queensland Public Service Officers and Other Employees Award – State 2015, effective 1 September 2026 following the 2026 State Wage Case. Certified-agreement salaries may differ.
- ·The Nursing stream uses Queensland Health’s published EB12 annual wage rates from 1 April 2026, including the confirmed first-period CPI Uplift Adjustment. The certified agreement PDF retains the older figures; the revised table is at https://www.health.qld.gov.au/hrpolicies/wage-rates/nursing.
- ·The State Wage Case increases adult award wages by 4.75%. Published annual reference salaries are reproduced exactly; rounding of the fortnightly award rates means individual annual changes may differ slightly from 4.75%.
- ·Junior paypoints are included. Adult minimums are identified at AO Level 2 Paypoint 1, PO/TO Level 1 Paypoint 4 and OO Level 2 Paypoint 1.
- ·Previous award ranges are from the 1 September 2025 reprint. Nursing uses its separate CPI-adjusted agreement schedule: the September 2026 nursing award floor is lower at every comparable pay point, so no State Wage Case percentage is added to the agreement salaries.
Salaries are indicative and based on publicly available data. Verify with your agency HR for accurate, role-specific information.
Salary Snapshot
QLD Professional salary bands, shown per year.
Entry salary
$50,482
PO Level 1
Top salary
$163,552
PO Level 6
Midpoint band
$129,323
PO Level 4
Classifications
6
Professional stream
Classification range chart
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About the Queensland Professional Stream
The Professional stream covers Queensland Government roles that require a formal tertiary qualification — including lawyers, accountants, engineers, scientists, social workers, and policy analysts. Classifications run from PO Level 1, the graduate entry point, through to senior principal roles at PO Level 6. Pay is set under the Queensland Public Service Officers and Other Employees Award, with progression by annual increment within each level.
Typical roles: lawyers, accountants, engineers, social workers, scientists. Salary ranges run from $50,482 (PO Level 1) to $163,552 (PO Level 6). All rates are from the Queensland Public Service Officers and Other Employees Award – State 2015, effective 1 September 2026.
Superannuation: Queensland public sector employees receive 12% employer superannuation.
Key Information
QLD salary facts, agreement context and conditions to check before comparing pay.
Effective date
Administrative, Professional, Technical, Operational and Safe Food Queensland rates are award minimums from the Queensland Public Service Officers and Other Employees Award – State 2015, effective 1 September 2026 following the 2026 State Wage Case. Certified-agreement salaries may differ.
Classification note
The Nursing stream uses Queensland Health’s published EB12 annual wage rates from 1 April 2026, including the confirmed first-period CPI Uplift Adjustment. The certified agreement PDF retains the older figures; the revised table is at https://www.health.qld.gov.au/hrpolicies/wage-rates/nursing.
Scheduled change
The State Wage Case increases adult award wages by 4.75%. Published annual reference salaries are reproduced exactly; rounding of the fortnightly award rates means individual annual changes may differ slightly from 4.75%.
Classification note
Junior paypoints are included. Adult minimums are identified at AO Level 2 Paypoint 1, PO/TO Level 1 Paypoint 4 and OO Level 2 Paypoint 1.
Classification note
Previous award ranges are from the 1 September 2025 reprint. Nursing uses its separate CPI-adjusted agreement schedule: the September 2026 nursing award floor is lower at every comparable pay point, so no State Wage Case percentage is added to the agreement salaries.
Compare Pay Scales
Switch classification streams or compare public service salary scales across jurisdictions.
QLD Professional Salary Guide by Classification
Quick reference for every Queensland Public Service Professional 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.
PO 1 Salary — Professional Officer Level 1
A PO 1 (also written as PO1 or Professional Officer Level 1) earns $50,482–$75,032 gross — roughly $44,000–$61,000 take-home after income tax and Medicare, plus 12% employer super (~$57,000–$84,000 total package). Entry/graduate professional roles.
Calculate PO 1 take-home pay →PO 2 Salary — Professional Officer Level 2
A PO 2 (also written as PO2 or Professional Officer Level 2) earns $80,928–$102,634 gross — roughly $65,000–$79,000 take-home after income tax and Medicare, plus 12% employer super (~$91,000–$115,000 total package). Qualified professional roles.
Calculate PO 2 take-home pay →PO 3 Salary — Professional Officer Level 3
A PO 3 (also written as PO3 or Professional Officer Level 3) earns $107,695–$117,296 gross — roughly $82,000–$88,000 take-home after income tax and Medicare, plus 12% employer super (~$121,000–$131,000 total package). Senior professional roles.
Calculate PO 3 take-home pay →PO 4 Salary — Professional Officer Level 4
A PO 4 (also written as PO4 or Professional Officer Level 4) earns $124,627–$134,019 gross — roughly $93,000–$99,000 take-home after income tax and Medicare, plus 12% employer super (~$140,000–$150,000 total package). Advanced professional and team lead roles.
Calculate PO 4 take-home pay →PO 5 Salary — Professional Officer Level 5
A PO 5 (also written as PO5 or Professional Officer Level 5) earns $139,941–$149,933 gross — roughly $103,000–$109,000 take-home after income tax and Medicare, plus 12% employer super (~$157,000–$168,000 total package). Principal/specialist professional roles.
Calculate PO 5 take-home pay →PO 6 Salary — Professional Officer Level 6
A PO 6 (also written as PO6 or Professional Officer Level 6) earns $154,786–$163,552 gross — roughly $111,000–$117,000 take-home after income tax and Medicare, plus 12% employer super (~$173,000–$183,000 total package). Senior management professional roles.
Calculate PO 6 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 PO 1 salary?
A Professional PO 1 (also written as PO1 or Professional Officer Level 1) earns $50,482 to $75,032 per year as set by the Queensland Public Service Officers and Other Employees Award – State 2015 (reprinted 1 September 2026). After income tax and Medicare levy, take-home pay is approximately $44,000–$61,000 per year. This classification covers entry/graduate professional roles. QLD employees receive 12% employer superannuation.
What is the PO 2 salary?
A Professional PO 2 (also written as PO2 or Professional Officer Level 2) earns $80,928 to $102,634 per year as set by the Queensland Public Service Officers and Other Employees Award – State 2015 (reprinted 1 September 2026). After income tax and Medicare levy, take-home pay is approximately $65,000–$79,000 per year. This classification covers qualified professional roles. QLD employees receive 12% employer superannuation.
What is the PO 3 salary?
A Professional PO 3 (also written as PO3 or Professional Officer Level 3) earns $107,695 to $117,296 per year as set by the Queensland Public Service Officers and Other Employees Award – State 2015 (reprinted 1 September 2026). After income tax and Medicare levy, take-home pay is approximately $82,000–$88,000 per year. This classification covers senior professional roles. QLD employees receive 12% employer superannuation.
What is the PO 4 salary?
A Professional PO 4 (also written as PO4 or Professional Officer Level 4) earns $124,627 to $134,019 per year as set by the Queensland Public Service Officers and Other Employees Award – State 2015 (reprinted 1 September 2026). After income tax and Medicare levy, take-home pay is approximately $93,000–$99,000 per year. This classification covers advanced professional and team lead roles. QLD employees receive 12% employer superannuation.
What is the PO 5 salary?
A Professional PO 5 (also written as PO5 or Professional Officer Level 5) earns $139,941 to $149,933 per year as set by the Queensland Public Service Officers and Other Employees Award – State 2015 (reprinted 1 September 2026). After income tax and Medicare levy, take-home pay is approximately $103,000–$109,000 per year. This classification covers principal/specialist professional roles. QLD employees receive 12% employer superannuation.
What is the PO 6 salary?
A Professional PO 6 (also written as PO6 or Professional Officer Level 6) earns $154,786 to $163,552 per year as set by the Queensland Public Service Officers and Other Employees Award – State 2015 (reprinted 1 September 2026). After income tax and Medicare levy, take-home pay is approximately $111,000–$117,000 per year. This classification covers senior management professional roles. QLD employees receive 12% employer superannuation.
What roles are in the Queensland Professional stream?
The Professional stream covers roles requiring a formal tertiary qualification, such as lawyers, accountants, engineers, scientists, social workers, and policy analysts employed by Queensland Government agencies. PO Level 1 is the graduate entry point and PO Level 6 is the most senior classification.
What is the starting salary for a Queensland graduate professional?
A newly qualified professional entering at PO Level 1 starts at $50,482 per year, with the adult minimum paypoint at $66,423. Most graduate recruitment programs start around Paypoints 3–4 of PO Level 1 ($59,770–$66,423) depending on the agency and degree.
How does QLD Professional stream pay compare to the APS?
Queensland PO Level 2–3 ($80,928–$117,296) broadly aligns with APS 4–5 levels, while PO Level 4–5 ($124,627–$149,933) is comparable to APS EL1. The APS offers 15.4% superannuation versus QLD's 12%, which is a meaningful difference at senior levels.