Queensland Professional Stream Salary Scales
Professional
Professional stream
6 bands · $50,482–$163,552
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Paypoint 6 |
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Notes
- ·Professional rates are award minimums from the Queensland Public Service Officers and Other Employees Award – State 2015 (reprinted 1 September 2026), effective 1 September 2026. Certified-agreement salaries may differ. Check the instrument named in the job advertisement or employment offer.
- ·The Professional table includes junior paypoints. The Level 1 adult minimum is Paypoint 4; qualified entrants start at Level 2 under award clause 12.6(d), at a paypoint determined by their qualification. Check clause 12.6(e) for higher qualifications.
What does this pay take home?
Use “Take-home for this band” on any row, or start from $129,000 and adjust.
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, which includes junior and adult paypoints, through to senior principal roles at PO Level 6. This table shows minimums under the Queensland Public Service Officers and Other Employees Award; certified-agreement salaries may differ.
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.
Source award
Professional rates are award minimums from the Queensland Public Service Officers and Other Employees Award – State 2015 (reprinted 1 September 2026), effective 1 September 2026. Certified-agreement salaries may differ. Check the instrument named in the job advertisement or employment offer.
Adult and junior paypoints
The Professional table includes junior paypoints. The Level 1 adult minimum is Paypoint 4; qualified entrants start at Level 2 under award clause 12.6(d), at a paypoint determined by their qualification. Check clause 12.6(e) for higher qualifications.
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). junior and adult Level 1 professional paypoints; qualified entrants start at Level 2 under award clause 12.6(d).
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 junior and adult level 1 professional paypoints; qualified entrants start at level 2 under award clause 12.6(d). 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 includes junior and adult paypoints, and PO Level 6 is the most senior classification in this table.
What is the starting salary for a Queensland graduate professional?
Award clause 12.6(d) places a new Professional employee with the prerequisite qualifications at PO Level 2: a three-year qualification starts at Paypoint 1 ($80,928), a four-year qualification at Paypoint 2 ($85,207), and a five-year qualification at Paypoint 3 ($89,537) per year. Clause 12.6(e) covers higher qualifications. The PO Level 1 adult award minimum is Paypoint 4 ($66,423); earlier Level 1 paypoints are junior rates, not qualified-graduate starting salaries. Check the applicable instrument in the job advertisement or employment offer because certified-agreement salaries may differ.
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.