APS Salary Scales (2025–2026)
Official pay rates across all Australian Public Service classifications under the APSC Enterprise Agreement with 15.4% employer superannuation and Stage 3 take-home pay.
Federal APS Pay Scale & Step Progression (2025–2026)
Based on official APSC Statement of Common Conditions 2024–2027 (2025–2026 Rates)
| Classification Band | Base Salary (AUD) | Super (15.4%) | Estimated Tax & Medicare | Net Take-Home Pay | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| APS 1.1 Entry Level Operations / Administrative Assistant | $56,420 | +$8,689 | -$8,689 | $47,731 | |
| APS 1.2 Operational Support Officer | $58,890 | +$9,069 | -$9,516 | $49,374 | |
| APS 2.1 Customer Service Officer / Admin Officer | $63,150 | +$9,725 | -$10,943 | $52,207 | |
| APS 2.2 Administrative Support Specialization | $66,280 | +$10,207 | -$11,992 | $54,288 | |
| APS 3.1 Case Officer / Operations Specialist | $71,200 | +$10,965 | -$13,572 | $57,628 | |
| APS 3.2 Senior Case Officer / Technical Assistant | $75,420 | +$11,615 | -$14,922 | $60,498 | |
| APS 4.1 Policy Officer / Technical Analyst | $80,640 | +$12,419 | -$16,593 | $64,047 | |
| APS 4.2 Senior Policy Support Officer | $84,980 | +$13,087 | -$17,982 | $66,998 | |
| APS 5.1 Senior Analyst / Project Officer / Team Leader | $89,450 | +$13,775 | -$19,412 | $70,038 | |
| APS 5.2 Senior Specialist Project Lead | $94,820 | +$14,602 | -$21,130 | $73,690 | |
| APS 6.1 Assistant Director / Lead Subject Matter Expert | $101,855 | +$15,686 | -$23,382 | $78,473 | |
| APS 6.2 Principal Technical Officer / Senior Policy Lead | $107,240 | +$16,515 | -$25,105 | $82,135 | |
| APS 6.3 Top Increment Principal Analyst | $111,701 | +$17,202 | -$26,532 | $85,169 | |
| EL 1.1 Executive Level 1 / Section Director | $125,430 | +$19,316 | -$30,926 | $94,504 | |
| EL 1.2 Executive Level 1 Senior Section Manager | $134,200 | +$20,667 | -$33,732 | $100,468 | |
| EL 2.1 Executive Level 2 / Branch Director | $148,900 | +$22,931 | -$39,409 | $109,491 | |
| EL 2.2 Executive Level 2 Senior Branch Head | $164,800 | +$25,379 | -$45,610 | $119,190 |
Calculate Exact APS 6 Take-Home Pay
Stage 3 Tax Cuts, 12% Superannuation Guarantee, and ATO Withholding Engine
Advanced Adjustments (Salary Sacrifice & Hours)
Understanding the APS Classification Structure
The Australian Public Service (APS) operates under a standardized 8-tier classification framework established by the Public Service Act 1999 and the Australian Public Service Commission (APSC). Positions range from entry-level administrative roles (APS 1–2) through policy and project officers (APS 3–5), senior subject matter experts (APS 6), to executive leadership (EL1 and EL2).
Following service-wide bargaining in 2024, the APSC Statement of Common Conditions established standardized pay pay-point floors across all federal agencies (including Services Australia, ATO, Department of Defence, Health, and Home Affairs).
The 15.4% Superannuation Advantage in the Public Sector
A central pillar of the APS remuneration package is the 15.4% employer superannuation contribution. Unlike private sector roles where standard super is 12.0%, APS employees receive an additional 3.4% in employer contributions. For an APS 6 employee on $101,855, this delivers an additional $3,463 in annual superannuation accumulation.
Compare APS vs Victorian VPS Salaries
Benchmark Federal APS classification pay rates against Victorian Public Service (VPS) equivalent bands.
Frequently Asked Questions
Official Australian tax, superannuation, and take-home pay guidance grounded in current ATO rulings.
What is the APS 6 salary in Australia for 2025–2026?
Under the APSC Enterprise Agreement (March 2025 – February 2026 rates), an APS 6 earns a base salary between $101,855 (APS 6.1) and $111,701 (APS 6.3). After Stage 3 income tax and Medicare levy, estimated net take-home pay is approximately $78,500 to $85,200 per year ($3,020 to $3,277 per fortnight). In addition, APS 6 staff receive 15.4% employer superannuation ($15,685 to $17,202/year).
How does the 15.4% APS superannuation work?
Federal Australian Public Service employees receive a mandated 15.4% employer superannuation contribution (under PSSap or compliant super funds). This is 3.4% higher than the 12.0% statutory Superannuation Guarantee paid in the private sector.
How do annual salary increments work in the APS?
APS agencies operate annual performance progression cycles. Employees who achieve a satisfactory performance rating at their annual appraisal advance by one pay point increment (e.g. from APS 5.1 to APS 5.2) until reaching the top step of their classification band.
What are the EL1 and EL2 executive salary ranges in the APS?
Executive Level 1 (EL1) base salaries range from $125,430 to $134,200 ($144,746 to $154,867 including 15.4% super). Executive Level 2 (EL2) branch director salaries range from $148,900 to $164,800 ($171,830 to $190,179 including super).