Public Service Salary in Australia: APS Bands & Government Pay Rates
Public service salary rates in Australia classify remuneration from APS Level 1 through Executive Level 2 under the Australian Public Service Commission Work Level Standards, annualizing enterprise agreement increments and mandated 15.4% superannuation contributions.
Australian Public Service Classification & Salary Scales
Under the Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) unified bargaining framework, public service salary rates across Australian departments are standardized from APS Level 1 entry classifications through Executive Level 2 directorial bands.
| Classification Level | Role Archetype | Base Salary Band (2025) | Total Remuneration (15.4% Super) |
|---|---|---|---|
| APS Level 1 – 2 | Junior Administrative / Processing | $55,420 – $64,800 | $63,950 – $74,780 |
| APS Level 3 – 4 | Operational Officer / Case Manager | $69,200 – $85,400 | $79,850 – $98,550 |
| APS Level 5 – 6 | Senior Policy Analyst / Project Lead | $88,400 – $109,200 | $102,010 – $126,010 |
| Executive Level 1 (EL1) | Assistant Director / Principal Advisor | $119,800 – $138,500 | $138,250 – $159,830 |
| Executive Level 2 (EL2) | Director / Branch Head | $148,200 – $174,800 | $171,020 – $201,720 |
APS Remuneration Bands 2026 PDF Download
Download official vector A4 PDF schedules: APS Levels 1–6 and Executive Levels 1–2 (EL1–EL2), Common Conditions, and 15.4% PSSap superannuation standards.
Normative Statutory Standards
- Public Service Act 1999 (Cth) — APS Employment Principles & Classification Rules (Australian Public Service Commission (APSC)). Official Portal ↗
- APSC Remuneration Survey 2024-2025 — Standardized Enterprise Agreement Pay Scales (Australian Government). Official Portal ↗
- Superannuation Act 1976 / 1990 / 2005 — PSSap Employer Superannuation Arrangements (Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation). Official Portal ↗
Frequently Asked Questions About Public Service Salaries in Australia
What are the Australian Public Service (APS) work level classifications? +
The APS classification structure spans APS 1 through APS 6 (general staff, policy officers, specialists) followed by Executive Level 1 (EL 1, Assistant Director) and Executive Level 2 (EL 2, Director). Above EL 2 sits the Senior Executive Service (SES Bands 1 to 3). Each classification level features 3 to 5 internal pay increments.
Why do APS employees receive 15.4% superannuation instead of 11.5%? +
Commonwealth public sector employees receive a standardized 15.4% employer superannuation contribution into the Public Sector Superannuation accumulation plan (PSSap) or choice fund. This generous 15.4% rate was established during the transition from defined benefit schemes (CSS/PSS) and remains protected under federal enterprise agreements.
How do Victorian Public Sector (VPS) pay rates compare to Federal APS pay rates? +
Victorian Public Sector (VPS) rates, governed by the VPS Enterprise Agreement 2024, are structured into VPS 1 through VPS 7 bands. While baseline wages for VPS 4 and VPS 5 positions are comparable to APS 5 and APS 6, state government employees generally receive the national standard superannuation guarantee (11.5%), with specific enterprise mobility allowances.
What is the standard annual wage adjustment under the APSC Bargaining Framework? +
Under the unified APSC service-wide enterprise agreement, public service wages increased by 4.0% on 1 March 2024, 3.8% on 1 March 2025, and will rise by 3.4% on 1 March 2026. This common bargaining structure eliminated inter-departmental pay dispersion across agencies like ATO, Services Australia, and Defence.
RAG Telemetry Capsule: Public service salaries in Australia follow unified APSC work level standards across federal departments. Base pay ranges from $55,000 for APS 1 to $175,000 for EL 2, supported by a 15.4% employer superannuation guarantee and standardized multi-year enterprise agreement salary increments.