APS 5 salary: How it compares to the national average and what it means for your pay

What is an APS 5 salary?

The APS 5 classification sits in the middle of the Australian Public Service (APS) pay structure, above APS 4 and below APS 6. It is a common entry point for graduates and experienced professionals moving into the public sector. The role typically involves working under general direction, with some autonomy and responsibility for managing projects, policy development, or program delivery.

According to the Australian Public Service Commission’s remuneration data as at 31 December 2025, the average base salary for an APS 5 employee was $92,177 for women and $92,191 for men — effectively identical. That figure is the base salary, not the total remuneration package, which includes superannuation, leave loading, and other benefits.

How does APS 5 salary compare to the national line?

The Salary Index uses full-time adult ordinary-time earnings as its baseline of 100. As of May 2026, that baseline was $2,083.70 per week, or $108,352 annualised, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The average APS 5 base salary of $92,180 gives an index of about 85. That means the typical APS 5 base pay is roughly 15% below the national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings line.

However, the public administration and safety industry — which includes the APS — has a higher average weekly earnings of $2,179.80 (index 104.6). So while APS 5 sits below the industry average, it is still a solid professional salary, especially when you factor in the 12% superannuation guarantee and job security.

State differences for APS 5 salary

APS salaries are set nationally, so the base pay for an APS 5 role is the same whether you work in Sydney, Perth, or Hobart. However, the states comparison shows how far that salary goes relative to local earnings. For example:

• ACT (index 109.9) has the highest average earnings in Australia, driven by the concentration of public service jobs. An APS 5 salary of $92,180 is below the ACT average of $119,090, but the cost of living in Canberra is also higher.
• Tasmania (index 88.6) has the lowest average earnings at $96,008. An APS 5 salary is close to the Tasmanian average, meaning it goes further relative to local wages.
• Western Australia (index 106.9) has high average earnings due to mining, so an APS 5 salary is well below the WA average of $115,825.

In practice, APS employees in some locations may receive a location allowance or remote area allowance, but the base classification rate remains the same.

Industry context

The APS 5 classification falls under public administration, but the work can span many fields — policy, finance, IT, human resources, and more. The industries page shows how different sectors compare:

• Mining (index 154.7) pays far above APS 5, with average weekly earnings of $3,224.
• Professional, scientific and technical services (index 114.7) also pays more, at $2,389 per week.
• Education and training (index 105.5) is closer to the national line, at $2,197 per week.
• Health care and social assistance (index 97.8) is slightly below the national line.

APS 5 base salary is comparable to roles in retail trade (index 75.9) or accommodation and food services (index 72.5), but the public sector offers better conditions, super, and job stability.

What the APS 5 salary includes and excludes

The APSC data is base salary only. The total remuneration package for an APS 5 employee typically includes:

• Base salary: ~$92,180
• Superannuation guarantee: 12% (from 1 July 2026) = $11,062
• Leave loading: 17.5% on annual leave (varies)
• Performance bonuses: possible but not guaranteed

When you add super, the total reward is about $103,242, which brings the index closer to 95. However, the Salary Index uses gross ordinary-time earnings, not total reward, so the base salary index of 85 is the standard comparison.

Tax and take-home pay

For a resident earning $92,180 in 2026–27, the tax calculation (excluding Medicare) is:

• $0 on first $18,200
• 15% on $26,800 ($18,201 to $45,000) = $4,020
• 30% on $47,180 ($45,001 to $92,180) = $14,154
• Total tax: $18,174
• Plus Medicare levy of 2%: $1,844
• Total deductions: $20,018
• Take-home pay: approximately $72,162 per year, or $1,387 per week.

This is a resident estimate using the tax-free threshold and flat 2% Medicare. It ignores HELP repayments, salary sacrifice, or the Medicare levy surcharge.

How APS 5 salary has changed

The APSC reported that base salaries for non-SES employees increased by a weighted median of 4.2% from 2024 to 2025. Total remuneration packages increased by 3.5%. This is in line with broader wage growth: the ABS reported a 3.7% annual increase in average weekly ordinary time earnings to May 2026.

Is APS 5 a good salary?

For a graduate or early-career professional, an APS 5 salary of around $92,000 is competitive with many private sector roles, especially when you consider the 12% super, generous leave, flexible work arrangements, and career progression. The pay guides section has more detail on how public sector salaries stack up against private sector equivalents.

If you are comparing job offers, remember that the Salary Index gives you a quick way to see where a pay figure sits against the national line. An APS 5 base salary index of 85 means it is below the average full-time earner, but the total package index is closer to 95. For more on how the index works, see how the index works.

Key takeaways

• The average APS 5 base salary is about $92,180, index 85.
• APS 5 pay is uniform across states, but local earnings vary significantly.
• The public administration industry average is higher, but APS 5 is a solid entry-level professional salary.
• Super and benefits add about $11,000 to the total reward.

For more topics related to salary comparisons, visit the topics page.