South Australia Public Service Salary Scales 2025–2026
Compare salary scales across Australian federal and state public services
South Australia Public Service
| Classification | Minimum | Maximum | Calculate |
|---|---|---|---|
ASO Level 1 Entry level administrative officer roles (includes junior rates) | $31,903 | $57,581 | Calculate |
ASO Level 2 Administrative officer roles | $60,911 | $65,522 | Calculate |
ASO Level 3 Experienced administrative officer roles | $70,124 | $74,734 | Calculate |
ASO Level 4 Senior administrative officer roles | $79,432 | $83,266 | Calculate |
ASO Level 5 Advanced administrative officer roles | $89,007 | $98,991 | Calculate |
ASO Level 6 Team leader and specialist roles | $102,171 | $108,071 | Calculate |
ASO Level 7 Senior specialist and supervisory roles | $112,163 | $121,246 | Calculate |
ASO Level 8 Management and senior specialist roles | $125,649 | $130,391 | Calculate |
Senior Officer Grade A Senior management roles | $135,913 | $155,625 | Calculate |
Senior Officer Grade B Executive management roles | $156,663 | $181,563 | Calculate |
Important Notes
- •Current 2025 rates (effective August 1, 2025) reflect 3.75% increase
- •Projected 2026 rates (effective August 1, 2026) reflect 3.5% increase
- •Further 3.25% increase projected for August 1, 2027
- •SA Public Sector Enterprise Agreement: Salaried 2025
Salary Range by Classification
Each bar shows the min–max salary range for that classification. Select jurisdictions to compare side by side.
Updated Aug 2025
Updated Mar 2026
* Bars show gross salary range (min to max) for each classification. Values adjust with the timeframe selected in the salary table above.
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“The Australian Public Service (APS) employs over 150,000 people across the country.”
About South Australia Public Service Salary Scales
The South Australia Public Service uses a structured classification system with 10 classification levels to determine salary for public sector employees — from ASO Level 1 ($31,903–$57,581) up to Senior Officer Grade B ($156,663–$181,563). Salaries are reviewed and updated through enterprise agreements and government determinations.
Superannuation: SA employees receive 12% employer superannuation. This matches the standard Superannuation Guarantee rate.
Salary Data Last Updated
1 August 2025 — Source: SA Department for Education
Key Information
- Current 2025 rates (effective August 1, 2025) reflect 3.75% increase
- Projected 2026 rates (effective August 1, 2026) reflect 3.5% increase
- Further 3.25% increase projected for August 1, 2027
- SA Public Sector Enterprise Agreement: Salaried 2025
Compare with Other Jurisdictions
See how SA salaries compare with other Australian public service jurisdictions:
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the current South Australian public service salary scales for 2025–2026?
South Australian public service salaries are set under the SA Public Sector Wages Parity Enterprise Agreement. ASO Level 1 starts at $58,709–$63,154 and ASO Level 8 reaches $115,137–$120,463. A 3.75% increase was effective 1 August 2025, with a further 3.5% projected for 2026. Senior Officer grades extend above $135,000.
How does SA public service pay compare to the APS?
South Australian (SA) ASO salaries are generally lower than equivalent APS classifications at mid-to-senior levels. ASO 5–6 earns approximately $88,000–$105,000 compared to APS 5–6 at $89,000–$112,000. The gap narrows with SA's higher recent wage increase rate (3.75%). Both offer 12% superannuation for state employees.
When is the next SA public service salary increase?
SA public servants received a 3.75% increase effective 1 August 2025. A further 3.5% increase is projected for 2026 under the SA Public Sector Wages Parity Enterprise Agreement. SA has been among the higher-increasing states in recent enterprise bargaining rounds.
What is the take-home pay for a SA ASO3?
A SA ASO3 employee earning approximately $72,000–$82,000 per year takes home around $57,000–$64,000 after income tax and Medicare levy. Use the Tax Calculator on this site for an exact estimate based on your salary, super contributions, and any HECS/HELP debt.
How does a HECS/HELP debt affect SA public service take-home pay?
SA public servants with a HECS/HELP debt have compulsory repayments withheld via PAYG once income exceeds $54,435 (2025–26 threshold). At a SA ASO6 salary of ~$100,000, HECS repayments add approximately $5,000–$6,500 annually on top of income tax. Use the Tax Calculator on this site with the HECS toggle to see your exact take-home pay.
Can SA public servants salary sacrifice?
Yes. SA public servants can salary sacrifice into superannuation as concessional contributions, reducing their taxable income. Employees of SA Health and some other SA government agencies may also access PBI salary packaging benefits of up to $15,900 per year tax-free. Check with your agency's HR team to confirm what packaging options are available in your role.
What leave entitlements do SA public servants receive?
Under the SA Public Sector Wages Parity Enterprise Agreement, SA public servants receive 20 days annual leave per year, 15 days sick leave (cumulative and transferable within the SA public sector), and long service leave at 13 weeks per 10 years of continuous service. Part-time employees receive pro-rata entitlements.
How does SA public service pay compare to WA and QLD?
SA ASO5–6 salaries ($88,000–$120,000) are generally slightly lower than equivalent WA Level 5–6 and QLD AO5–6 rates. However, SA's 3.75% increase in 2025 was among the higher state increases. The standard 12% superannuation applies across SA, WA, and QLD. Adelaide's significantly lower cost of living compared to Perth and Brisbane means SA salaries offer competitive real purchasing power despite lower nominal figures.
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