Who sets these rates
Agency enterprise agreements made under the Fair Work Act 2009, using the classifications in the Public Service Classification Rules 2000. Since 2023 they have been bargained service-wide for common terms, but pay ranges are still set agency by agency.
Service-wide bargaining settled an 11.2% pay increase over three years: 4% from the first full pay period after 1 March 2024, 3.8% from the first full pay period after 1 March 2025 and 3.4% from the first full pay period after 1 March 2026. The 3.4% instalment is the most recent increase; the APSC reports that roughly 70 agencies also made small extra adjustments of 0.1% to 1% in 2025 to move their minimum and maximum pay ranges toward the service-wide ranges.
Across the schedule below, published salaries run from $54,516 to $515,181. Every figure on this page is transcribed from the instrument named beside it and was checked on 28 August 2026. Where a level could not be read from a primary source it is left out and listed further down rather than estimated.
APS salary by level
One section per APS level. The table is the 5th to 95th percentile of base salaries actually paid across every agency at 31 December 2025, before the 3.4% service-wide increase from March 2026; the median is the middle salary. Under each table are the APS-wide salary thresholds from the service-wide bargaining package — the minimum and maximum every agency's range for that level must at least reach from 12 March 2026 — and, where the level exists there, the Treasury Enterprise Agreement 2024 pay points as a worked example of one real agency scale. Every salary links to the nearest take-home pay page.
Graduate salary 2026
Across the whole service at 31 December 2025, the median Graduate base salary was $79,176, and 90% of Graduate employees were paid between $72,951 and $86,724 (1,871 employees). Training classification for employees in an agency graduate programme, normally advancing to APS 4 or APS 5 on completion.
| Measure | Annual salary and after tax |
|---|---|
| 5th percentile | $72,951take-home on $75,000 |
| Median | $79,176take-home on $80,000 |
| 95th percentile | $86,724take-home on $85,000 |
APS 1 salary 2026
Across the whole service at 31 December 2025, the median APS 1 base salary was $58,408, and 90% of APS 1 employees were paid between $54,516 and $62,600 (228 employees). Entry level. Routine tasks under close direction, following established procedures.
| Measure | Annual salary and after tax |
|---|---|
| 5th percentile | $54,516take-home on $55,000 |
| Median | $58,408take-home on $60,000 |
| 95th percentile | $62,600take-home on $65,000 |
APS-wide minimum range every agency must meet or exceed, from 12 March 2026: APS 1 $57,497 to $60,946.
One agency's actual scale, not the APS rate — Treasury Enterprise Agreement 2024: APS 1 $57,497 to $61,822 (APS 1.1 $57,497, APS 1.2 $61,822).
APS 2 salary 2026
Across the whole service at 31 December 2025, the median APS 2 base salary was $64,595, and 90% of APS 2 employees were paid between $59,520 and $71,037 (1,533 employees). Administrative and operational support under general direction, with some discretion within defined procedures.
| Measure | Annual salary and after tax |
|---|---|
| 5th percentile | $59,520take-home on $60,000 |
| Median | $64,595take-home on $65,000 |
| 95th percentile | $71,037take-home on $70,000 |
APS-wide minimum range every agency must meet or exceed, from 12 March 2026: APS 2 $62,775 to $68,425.
One agency's actual scale, not the APS rate — Treasury Enterprise Agreement 2024: APS 2 $65,619 to $69,966 (APS 2.1 $65,619, APS 2.2 $69,966).
APS 3 salary 2026
Across the whole service at 31 December 2025, the median APS 3 base salary was $72,951, and 90% of APS 3 employees were paid between $67,974 and $78,705 (11,093 employees). Processing, client contact and case work applying legislation and policy to individual cases.
| Measure | Annual salary and after tax |
|---|---|
| 5th percentile | $67,974take-home on $70,000 |
| Median | $72,951take-home on $75,000 |
| 95th percentile | $78,705take-home on $80,000 |
APS-wide minimum range every agency must meet or exceed, from 12 March 2026: APS 3 $70,477 to $76,820.
One agency's actual scale, not the APS rate — Treasury Enterprise Agreement 2024: APS 3 $74,307 to $78,645 (APS 3.1 $74,307, APS 3.2 $78,645).
APS 4 salary 2026
Across the whole service at 31 December 2025, the median APS 4 base salary was $82,906, and 90% of APS 4 employees were paid between $76,714 and $88,200 (35,095 employees). More complex case work and technical or specialist support, often supervising APS 1–3 staff.
| Measure | Annual salary and after tax |
|---|---|
| 5th percentile | $76,714take-home on $75,000 |
| Median | $82,906take-home on $85,000 |
| 95th percentile | $88,200take-home on $90,000 |
APS-wide minimum range every agency must meet or exceed, from 12 March 2026: APS 4 $79,125 to $86,246.
One agency's actual scale, not the APS rate — Treasury Enterprise Agreement 2024: APS 4 $82,995 to $87,337 (APS 4.1 $82,995, APS 4.2 $87,337).
APS 5 salary 2026
Across the whole service at 31 December 2025, the median APS 5 base salary was $92,324, and 90% of APS 5 employees were paid between $86,034 and $96,239 (28,460 employees). Specialist, project and policy work under general direction; the first level with substantial independent judgement.
| Measure | Annual salary and after tax |
|---|---|
| 5th percentile | $86,034take-home on $85,000 |
| Median | $92,324take-home on $90,000 |
| 95th percentile | $96,239take-home on $95,000 |
APS-wide minimum range every agency must meet or exceed, from 12 March 2026: APS 5 $88,834 to $96,829.
One agency's actual scale, not the APS rate — Treasury Enterprise Agreement 2024: APS 5 $93,312 to $99,287 (APS 5.1 $93,312, APS 5.2 $99,287).
APS 6 salary 2026
Across the whole service at 31 December 2025, the median APS 6 base salary was $108,092, and 90% of APS 6 employees were paid between $97,316 and $115,199 (47,297 employees). The largest classification in the APS. Complex policy, technical and project work, frequently leading a small team.
| Measure | Annual salary and after tax |
|---|---|
| 5th percentile | $97,316take-home on $95,000 |
| Median | $108,092take-home on $110,000 |
| 95th percentile | $115,199take-home on $115,000 |
APS-wide minimum range every agency must meet or exceed, from 12 March 2026: APS 6 $99,734 to $111,701.
One agency's actual scale, not the APS rate — Treasury Enterprise Agreement 2024: APS 6 $105,260 to $127,521 (APS 6.1 $105,260, APS 6.2 $111,232, APS 6.3 $119,921, APS 6.4 $127,521).
EL 1 salary 2026
Across the whole service at 31 December 2025, the median EL 1 base salary was $135,701, and 90% of EL 1 employees were paid between $124,861 and $149,271 (41,032 employees). Assistant Director. Manages a team or a work programme and is accountable for its outputs.
| Measure | Annual salary and after tax |
|---|---|
| 5th percentile | $124,861take-home on $125,000 |
| Median | $135,701take-home on $135,000 |
| 95th percentile | $149,271take-home on $150,000 |
APS-wide minimum range every agency must meet or exceed, from 12 March 2026: EL 1 $121,755 to $132,713.
One agency's actual scale, not the APS rate — Treasury Enterprise Agreement 2024: EL 1 $137,301 to $157,498 (EL 1.1 $137,301, EL 1.2 $148,073, EL 1.3 $157,498).
EL 2 salary 2026
Across the whole service at 31 December 2025, the median EL 2 base salary was $168,064, and 90% of EL 2 employees were paid between $151,518 and $190,446 (17,210 employees). Director. Runs a branch section, sets work direction and is accountable for a budget or programme.
| Measure | Annual salary and after tax |
|---|---|
| 5th percentile | $151,518take-home on $150,000 |
| Median | $168,064take-home on $170,000 |
| 95th percentile | $190,446take-home on $190,000 |
APS-wide minimum range every agency must meet or exceed, from 12 March 2026: EL 2 $140,675 to $153,336.
One agency's actual scale, not the APS rate — Treasury Enterprise Agreement 2024: EL 2 $167,708 to $192,469 (EL 2.1 $167,708, EL 2.2 $175,962, EL 2.3 $184,214, EL 2.4 $192,469).
SES Band 1 salary 2026
Across the whole service at 31 December 2025, the median SES Band 1 base salary was $253,804, and 90% of SES Band 1 employees were paid between $224,919 and $284,341 (2,597 employees). Assistant Secretary. SES employees are paid under individual determinations or common law arrangements, not the agency enterprise agreement.
| Measure | Annual salary and after tax |
|---|---|
| 5th percentile | $224,919take-home on $200,000 |
| Median | $253,804take-home on $200,000 |
| 95th percentile | $284,341take-home on $200,000 |
SES Band 2 salary 2026
Across the whole service at 31 December 2025, the median SES Band 2 base salary was $321,888, and 90% of SES Band 2 employees were paid between $290,763 and $363,798 (711 employees). First Assistant Secretary, normally leading a division.
| Measure | Annual salary and after tax |
|---|---|
| 5th percentile | $290,763take-home on $200,000 |
| Median | $321,888take-home on $200,000 |
| 95th percentile | $363,798take-home on $200,000 |
SES Band 3 salary 2026
Across the whole service at 31 December 2025, the median SES Band 3 base salary was $431,975, and 90% of SES Band 3 employees were paid between $376,314 and $515,181 (152 employees). Deputy Secretary. The most senior classification below agency head.
| Measure | Annual salary and after tax |
|---|---|
| 5th percentile | $376,314take-home on $200,000 |
| Median | $431,975take-home on $200,000 |
| 95th percentile | $515,181take-home on $200,000 |
APS pay scales
APS-wide base salary by classification, 31 December 2025
Every APS agency. 187,279 employees, collected by the Australian Public Service Commission from all agencies with employees engaged under the Public Service Act 1999.
Reported salaries · 31 December 2025 · 5th to 95th percentile of base salaries actually paid — 90% of employees at that level sit inside it. Base Salary excludes superannuation, allowances and bonuses.
APS classifications
The classification structure in the Public Service Classification Rules 2000: APS levels 1 to 6, Executive Levels 1 and 2, and Senior Executive Service Bands 1 to 3, plus the Graduate APS training classification.
| Classification | 5th–95th percentile | Median | Employees | Mid-band |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GraduateTraining classification for employees in an agency graduate programme, normally advancing to APS 4 or APS 5 on completion. | $72,951 to $86,724 | $79,176 | 1,871 | $80,000 after tax |
| APS 1Entry level. Routine tasks under close direction, following established procedures. | $54,516 to $62,600 | $58,408 | 228 | $60,000 after tax |
| APS 2Administrative and operational support under general direction, with some discretion within defined procedures. | $59,520 to $71,037 | $64,595 | 1,533 | $65,000 after tax |
| APS 3Processing, client contact and case work applying legislation and policy to individual cases. | $67,974 to $78,705 | $72,951 | 11,093 | $75,000 after tax |
| APS 4More complex case work and technical or specialist support, often supervising APS 1–3 staff. | $76,714 to $88,200 | $82,906 | 35,095 | $80,000 after tax |
| APS 5Specialist, project and policy work under general direction; the first level with substantial independent judgement. | $86,034 to $96,239 | $92,324 | 28,460 | $90,000 after tax |
| APS 6The largest classification in the APS. Complex policy, technical and project work, frequently leading a small team. | $97,316 to $115,199 | $108,092 | 47,297 | $105,000 after tax |
| EL 1Assistant Director. Manages a team or a work programme and is accountable for its outputs. | $124,861 to $149,271 | $135,701 | 41,032 | $135,000 after tax |
| EL 2Director. Runs a branch section, sets work direction and is accountable for a budget or programme. | $151,518 to $190,446 | $168,064 | 17,210 | $170,000 after tax |
| SES Band 1Assistant Secretary. SES employees are paid under individual determinations or common law arrangements, not the agency enterprise agreement. | $224,919 to $284,341 | $253,804 | 2,597 | $200,000 after tax |
| SES Band 2First Assistant Secretary, normally leading a division. | $290,763 to $363,798 | $321,888 | 711 | $200,000 after tax |
| SES Band 3Deputy Secretary. The most senior classification below agency head. | $376,314 to $515,181 | $431,975 | 152 | $200,000 after tax |
A handful of agencies use local classifications and the APSC maps those to the nearest APS level, which is why the single highest salary reported at some levels is far above the 95th percentile. The percentile range, not the reported maximum, is the useful figure.
APS-wide salary thresholds from 12 March 2026 (pay fragmentation mechanism)
Every APS agency. These are the minimum and maximum salary thresholds each agency's pay range for a classification must meet or exceed under the service-wide bargaining package — a floor for agency ranges, not a pay scale anyone is paid on.
Enterprise or certified agreement · 12 March 2026 · The lowest bottom and lowest top an agency's range for the level may have. Many agencies pay above both.
Salary thresholds by classification
Year 3 thresholds, after the 2.0% fragmentation adjustment and the 3.4% service-wide increase.
| Classification | Salary range | Mid-band |
|---|---|---|
| APS 1Minimum range for APS 1. | $57,497 to $60,946 | $60,000 after tax |
| APS 2Minimum range for APS 2. | $62,775 to $68,425 | $65,000 after tax |
| APS 3Minimum range for APS 3. | $70,477 to $76,820 | $75,000 after tax |
| APS 4Minimum range for APS 4. | $79,125 to $86,246 | $85,000 after tax |
| APS 5Minimum range for APS 5. | $88,834 to $96,829 | $95,000 after tax |
| APS 6Minimum range for APS 6. | $99,734 to $111,701 | $105,000 after tax |
| EL 1Minimum range for EL 1. | $121,755 to $132,713 | $125,000 after tax |
| EL 2Minimum range for EL 2. | $140,675 to $153,336 | $145,000 after tax |
Published for APS 1 to EL 2 only. SES employees are outside the agency enterprise agreements, so there is no threshold for them.
One agency's scale: Treasury Enterprise Agreement 2024, from 12 March 2026
The Department of the Treasury only. Reproduced because it shows what an actual APS pay-point scale looks like — every other agency has its own, and the figures below are not the APS-wide rates.
Enterprise or certified agreement · 12 March 2026 · Bottom and top pay point of the level in this one agency's agreement.
Treasury base salaries
Appendix A of the Treasury Enterprise Agreement 2024, showing the salary at each pay point after the 3.4% service-wide increase on 12 March 2026.
| Classification | Salary range | Mid-band |
|---|---|---|
APS 1Two pay points.Treasury records that the pay fragmentation mechanism made the APS 1.1 increase larger than 3.4%.2 pay points
| $57,497 to $61,822 | $60,000 after tax |
APS 2Two pay points.2 pay points
| $65,619 to $69,966 | $70,000 after tax |
APS 3Two pay points.2 pay points
| $74,307 to $78,645 | $75,000 after tax |
APS 4Two pay points.2 pay points
| $82,995 to $87,337 | $85,000 after tax |
APS 5Two pay points.2 pay points
| $93,312 to $99,287 | $95,000 after tax |
APS 6Four pay points.4 pay points
| $105,260 to $127,521 | $115,000 after tax |
EL 1Three pay points.3 pay points
| $137,301 to $157,498 | $145,000 after tax |
EL 2Four pay points.4 pay points
| $167,708 to $192,469 | $180,000 after tax |
How progression between pay points works
Within a classification you move up pay points, and the rules live in your agency's enterprise agreement rather than in any APS-wide document. The usual pattern is one increment a year subject to a satisfactory performance rating: at Treasury, for example, APS 6 runs across four pay points from $105,260 to $127,521 and EL 2 across four from $167,708 to $192,469, so the distance from the bottom to the top of a single classification can be more than $24,000.
At the top of the range some agencies pay a fixed top-of-salary-range payment instead of a further increment. The APSC counted 3,824 APS 6 employees receiving one in 2025, with a median payment of $1,087, and 4,638 EL 1 employees with a median of $1,357. It is a recurring payment, not a salary increase, so it does not lift your base for superannuation purposes in the way an increment does.
Moving between classifications is a promotion to a different job, not an increment, and it resets you to a pay point in the new band — usually the bottom one. That is why the APS-wide percentile ranges overlap: an EL 1 at the bottom of the band earns less than an APS 6 at the top of theirs in the same agency.
Transferring between agencies at the same classification can change your salary in either direction, because the two agencies' agreements set different ranges for the same level. The APSC's 2025 data release notes that around 70 agencies made small adjustments of 0.1% to 1% to their minimum and maximum pay ranges that year to move toward the service-wide ranges, after a larger realignment in 2024.
Superannuation on top of the band
The employer superannuation contribution in the APS is well above the Superannuation Guarantee. The median employer contribution was 15.4% of base salary at every classification from Graduate to SES Band 3 in both 2024 and 2025. On the median APS 6 base salary of $108,092 that is $16,646 a year, and the APSC's own figure for the median APS 6 agency superannuation contribution is $16,707. Add it to base salary before comparing an APS job with a private-sector offer paying the Superannuation Guarantee rate.
The Superannuation Guarantee minimum is 12.0% from 1 July 2025, so a public sector employer contribution above that rate is real money you should count when you compare offers. Our superannuation calculator and superannuation guide work through the difference over a career.
What the band is worth after tax
The salaries above are gross. To check a payslip you need the figure after income tax, the Medicare levy and any study loan repayment. The mid-band link in each row opens the nearest published take-home page, and the calculators below take your exact salary:
- Income tax calculator — tax and Medicare levy on an exact salary.
- Take-home pay calculator — weekly, fortnightly and monthly net pay.
- Fortnightly pay calculator — most public service payrolls pay fortnightly, and the classification tables above are published as fortnightly rates.
- Pay rise calculator — what an increment or an agreement increase is worth in the hand.
- Salary sacrifice calculator — public sector employers commonly offer packaging; this shows the tax effect.
- Understanding your payslip — how a classification and pay point appear on the payslip itself.
What this page does not cover
These are the rates we could not read from a primary source. Nothing here is estimated in their place:
- Pay-point scales for agencies other than Treasury — there are around 102 agency enterprise agreements and each publishes its own. Find yours on your agency's website rather than assuming another agency's rate.
- SES Band 1–3 salaries are set by individual determinations, so no rate table exists to publish. The figures shown are the percentile spread of what SES employees were actually paid at 31 December 2025.
- The Australian Government Industry Award minimum rates that underpin APS classifications. The APSC publishes them in its annual wage review circular; we have not reproduced them here.
APS pay questions
How these figures were put together▼
Every salary is transcribed from the instrument named in the sources list, at the effective date shown on each table. No figure is averaged, indexed forward or taken from a job advertisement.
Ranges are the bottom and top of the published band unless the table says otherwise. Where a schedule reports actual salaries rather than a rate table, the range shown is the 5th to 95th percentile and the median is shown beside it.
Mid-band links point at the nearest published take-home page, which steps in $5,000 increments, so the after-tax figure it shows is close to but not identical to the mid-band salary. Use a calculator for your exact pay point.
Sources & References
- 1APS Remuneration Data 31 December 2025 — Appendix 3 data tables (from 31 December 2025)— Australian Public Service Commission
- 2APS Remuneration Data 31 December 2025 — Key findings for 2025— Australian Public Service Commission
- 3APS Bargaining: Package of common pay and conditions (open letter)— Australian Public Service Commission
- 4APS Bargaining Statement of Common Conditions — salary thresholds for the pay fragmentation mechanism (from 12 March 2026)— Australian Public Service Commission
- 5Treasury Enterprise Agreement 2024 — Appendix A, base salaries (from 12 March 2026)— Department of the Treasury
- 6Public Service Classification Rules 2000— Federal Register of Legislation
Last verified: 28 August 2026. Our content is based on the latest information from official Australian government sources.