Thinking about joining the Australian Public Service? Or maybe you're already in and wondering if you're being paid fairly. Either way, you need real numbers — not vague ranges or outdated figures.
This guide breaks down exactly what APS employees earn at every level in 2026, based on current enterprise agreement rates. We've pulled data from the APSC, Treasury, and ATO enterprise agreements effective from 12 March 2026.
APS Salary Scales 2026 (From 12 March 2026)
The APS uses a classification system from APS 1 (entry level) through to SES Band 3 (senior executive). Each classification has pay points — you typically start at the bottom and move up with time and performance.
Standard APSC Enterprise Agreement Rates
These are the base rates under the APSC Enterprise Agreement 2024-2027:
| Classification | Pay Point | Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| APS 1 | 1.1 | $57,497 |
| APS 1 | 1.2 | $60,946 |
| APS 2 | 2.1 | $62,775 |
| APS 2 | 2.2 | $65,619 |
| APS 2 | 2.3 | $69,317 |
| APS 3 | 3.1 | $72,397 |
| APS 3 | 3.2 | $76,820 |
| APS 4 | 4.1 | $79,731 |
| APS 4 | 4.2 | $82,995 |
| APS 4 | 4.3 | $86,246 |
| APS 5 | 5.1 | $89,463 |
| APS 5 | 5.2 | $93,312 |
| APS 5 | 5.3 | $97,837 |
| APS 6 | 6.1 | $101,855 |
| APS 6 | 6.2 | $105,260 |
| APS 6 | 6.3 | $111,701 |
| EL 1 | 1.1 | $123,996 |
| EL 1 | 1.2 | $137,301 |
| EL 1 | 1.3 | $142,116 |
| EL 2 | 2.1 | $155,479 |
| EL 2 | 2.2 | $167,708 |
| EL 2 | 2.3 | $174,790 |
Source: APSC Enterprise Agreement 2024-2027, Treasury Enterprise Agreement. Rates effective from 12 March 2026.
What Each Level Actually Means
- APS 1-2: Entry-level administrative and support roles. Filing, data entry, basic customer service.
- APS 3: The most common entry point for university graduates and career changers. Policy support, case management, research assistance.
- APS 4: Mid-level operational roles. Some supervisory responsibility, more complex work.
- APS 5: Senior operational or junior policy roles. Often the first level where you manage your own workload independently.
- APS 6: Team leader or senior specialist. You're managing people or running a work stream.
- EL 1: Middle management. You're running a section, setting strategy, and managing managers.
- EL 2: Senior leadership. Division-level responsibility, direct engagement with executives and ministers.
Agency-Specific Pay: Not Everyone Gets the Same
Here's something most people don't realise: each agency has its own enterprise agreement, and pay rates vary. The ATO, for example, generally pays more than the standard APSC rates.
ATO vs APSC Pay Comparison (From 12 March 2026)
| Classification | ATO Salary Range | APSC Standard Range | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| APS 3 | $75,431 – $81,381 | $72,397 – $76,820 | +$3,034 to +$4,561 |
| APS 4 | $84,028 – $91,199 | $79,731 – $86,246 | +$4,297 to +$4,953 |
| APS 5 | $93,676 – $99,307 | $89,463 – $97,837 | +$4,213 to +$1,470 |
| APS 6 | $101,142 – $116,131 | $101,855 – $111,701 | -$713 to +$4,430 |
| EL 1 | $129,551 – $141,239 | $123,996 – $142,116 | +$5,555 to -$877 |
| EL 2 | $155,911 – $185,713 | $155,479 – $174,790 | +$432 to +$10,923 |
Source: ATO Enterprise Agreement 2024, rates effective from 12 March 2026.
The ATO has more pay points at the senior levels (7 EL2 pay points vs the standard 4), which means more room for salary growth without a promotion.
Why Do Agencies Pay Differently?
Each agency negotiates its own enterprise agreement. Factors that influence pay include:
- Market competition: Agencies competing with private sector for specialist skills (IT, data, cyber) tend to pay more
- Historical agreements: Legacy pay structures carry forward
- Bargaining power: Larger agencies with more staff have more leverage
- Working conditions: Some agencies trade higher pay for different conditions (e.g., shift work, regional locations)
The takeaway: Don't just look at the classification level — check the specific agency's enterprise agreement before you apply.
The 2024-2027 Pay Rises
All APS enterprise agreements follow the same pay increase schedule under the current bargaining cycle:
| Date | Increase |
|---|---|
| 14 March 2024 | 4.0% |
| 13 March 2025 | 3.8% |
| 12 March 2026 | 3.4% |
Source: APSC Enterprise Agreement 2024-2027.
The total increase over three years is 11.2%. The agreement nominally expires on 28 February 2027, which means the next round of bargaining will start later this year.
Superannuation: The Hidden Pay Rise
This is where the APS really stands out. APS employees receive 15.4% employer superannuation — significantly above the national Superannuation Guarantee rate of 12% (increased from 11.5% on 1 July 2025).
What This Means in Real Dollars
| Classification | Base Salary (Mid-Point) | Super at 15.4% | Total Package |
|---|---|---|---|
| APS 3 | $74,609 | $11,490 | $86,099 |
| APS 5 | $93,537 | $14,405 | $107,942 |
| APS 6 | $106,272 | $16,366 | $122,638 |
| EL 1 | $134,471 | $20,709 | $155,180 |
| EL 2 | $165,992 | $25,563 | $191,555 |
Over a 30-year career, that extra 3.4% super (compared to the private sector minimum) adds up to tens of thousands of dollars more in retirement savings.
The main fund is PSSap (Public Sector Superannuation accumulation plan), managed by Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation (CSC). You can also salary sacrifice additional contributions, which are taxed at the concessional rate of 15% instead of your marginal rate.
Leave Entitlements
APS leave entitlements are among the most generous in Australia:
Annual Leave
- 20 days per year (4 weeks) for full-time employees
- Proportionate for part-time employees
- Accrues from your first day
Personal/Carer's Leave
- 18 days per year for ongoing employees
- Credited upon commencement, then accrues daily
- Can be used for illness, injury, or caring responsibilities
- Unused leave carries over year to year
Christmas Stand-Down
- 3 days additional paid leave between Christmas and New Year
- This is on top of your annual leave
- Most agencies close down during this period
Long Service Leave
- Approximately 3 months per 10 years of continuous service
- Pro-rata entitlement after 7 years
- Governed by the Long Service Leave (Commonwealth Employees) Act 1976
Parental Leave
- Up to 18 weeks paid parental leave for the primary caregiver under enterprise agreements
- Up to 12 months unpaid leave, with possibility of extension to 24 months
- From 1 July 2025, the government's Paid Parental Leave scheme provides up to 24 weeks
- Secondary carers typically get 2-4 weeks paid leave
Other Leave
- Compassionate leave: 3 days per occasion
- Community service leave: For jury duty, volunteer firefighting, etc.
- Cultural leave: For Indigenous employees (typically 10 days)
- Study leave: Available at some agencies under their EA
Flexible Working Arrangements
The APS has embraced flexible work more than most private sector employers:
Standard Hours
- 37.5 hours per week (not 40 — this is a common surprise for private sector movers)
Flex Time (APS 1-6)
- Accumulate or debit hours within a bandwidth
- Start early, finish early — or the reverse
- Build up flex credits to take as time off
Time Off in Lieu (EL1-EL2)
- Executive level employees typically use TOIL instead of flex time
- More autonomy over when and where you work
Remote and Hybrid Work
- Most agencies offer hybrid arrangements (typically 2-3 days in the office)
- Some roles are fully remote
- The right to request flexible work is embedded in enterprise agreements
Part-Time and Compressed Schedules
- Part-time arrangements available at all levels
- Compressed work weeks (e.g., 4 longer days) available at some agencies
- Job sharing options exist but are less common
Graduate Program Pay and Intake
If you're coming in through the APS Graduate Program, here's what you need to know:
Graduate Salary
- Graduate programs typically start at APS 3 or APS 4 level
- APSC Graduate Program: Commencing at APS 4 — approximately $79,731/year plus 15.4% super
- Agency-specific programs: Range from $69,761 to $94,270 depending on the agency
- STEM Stream graduates: $78,770 to $85,027 depending on placement
How Competitive Is It?
- The APS fills approximately 1,000 graduate positions annually across all agencies
- Over 5,500 applications are received each year
- Acceptance rates are approximately 2-5% of applicants
- The Data Graduate Program specifically: ~270 graduates placed across ~40 agencies in 2025, with over 1,760 applications received
- Applications open early March annually; the program starts February the following year
Source: APSC Graduate Program data, The Mandarin reporting.
What Makes a Strong Graduate Application?
- Strong academic record (but not the only factor)
- Demonstrated leadership and teamwork
- Relevant work experience (even part-time or volunteer)
- Well-written selection criteria responses (this is where most people fail)
- Evidence of analytical thinking and problem-solving
Career Progression: How Fast Can You Move Up?
Career progression in the APS varies significantly, but here are typical timelines based on industry data and community reporting:
Typical Progression Timelines
| Move | Typical Timeline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| APS 3 → APS 5 | 2-4 years | Can be faster via contractor roles |
| APS 5 → APS 6 | 1.5-3 years | Relatively straightforward with good performance |
| APS 6 → EL 1 | 2-5 years | Major bottleneck — significant jump in responsibility |
| EL 1 → EL 2 | 3-7+ years | Very competitive; many people stay at EL1 |
What Slows People Down?
- The EL1 bottleneck: This is where most people hit a ceiling. The jump from APS 6 to EL1 requires demonstrated leadership and strategic thinking, not just operational competence.
- Location: Canberra has significantly more APS roles and progression opportunities than regional offices.
- Agency: Some agencies have flatter structures with fewer promotion opportunities.
- Specialisation: Highly specialised roles (e.g., legal, engineering) may have fewer positions at higher levels.
What Speeds Things Up?
- Acting roles: Temporary higher duties are the most common fast-track mechanism. You get experience at the next level without a permanent promotion.
- Merit pools: Getting into a merit pool means you're pre-approved for promotion and can be picked up by any agency.
- Lateral moves: Moving between agencies can expose you to different work and accelerate your development.
- Contractor roles: Some people move up faster by going contracting, then returning to ongoing roles at a higher level.
The Reality Check
Many people choose to stay at APS 6 by choice. It's often described as the "sweet spot" — good pay, interesting work, manageable responsibility, and access to flex time. The jump to EL1 often means longer hours, more pressure, and loss of some flexible arrangements.
There's no shame in finding your level and staying there. The APS values expertise as much as leadership.
SES Salaries (Senior Executive Service)
SES salaries are not set by enterprise agreements — they're determined by the Remuneration Tribunal and individual agency determinations. Based on current tribunal determinations:
| Classification | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| SES Band 1 | $188,842 – $226,735 |
| SES Band 2 | $230,138 – $292,961 |
| SES Band 3 | $290,000 – $450,000+ |
Note: SES Band 3 figures vary significantly by agency and are less publicly documented. The figures above are approximate and should be verified against the current Remuneration Tribunal determination.
SES roles come with different conditions — no flex time, longer expected hours, and greater accountability. The pay reflects this.
How Govy Can Help
Whether you're applying for your first APS role or looking to move up a level, Govy's AI-powered tools can help you:
- Write selection criteria that actually address what panels are looking for
- Tailor your resume to the specific APS level and agency
- Prepare for interviews with our interactive practice tools
- Draft capability statements that highlight your strengths
The APS offers competitive pay, excellent benefits, and genuine career progression. Getting in is the hard part — and that's where Govy comes in.
Quick Reference: APS Pay at a Glance
| Level | Salary Range (APSC) | With 15.4% Super |
|---|---|---|
| APS 1 | $57,497 – $60,946 | $66,352 – $70,332 |
| APS 2 | $62,775 – $69,317 | $72,442 – $79,992 |
| APS 3 | $72,397 – $76,820 | $83,546 – $88,650 |
| APS 4 | $79,731 – $86,246 | $92,010 – $99,548 |
| APS 5 | $89,463 – $97,837 | $103,240 – $112,904 |
| APS 6 | $101,855 – $111,701 | $117,541 – $128,903 |
| EL 1 | $123,996 – $142,116 | $143,091 – $163,962 |
| EL 2 | $155,479 – $174,790 | $179,423 – $201,688 |
All figures are from current enterprise agreements effective 12 March 2026. Individual agency rates may vary.