APS 6 salary: where it sits on the Australian salary index

What is an APS 6 salary?

An APS 6 salary is the pay rate for employees at the APS 6 classification in the Australian Public Service. It's the third-highest non-executive level, typically for experienced professionals, team leaders, or specialists. The salary is set by enterprise agreements and varies by step (APS 6.1 to 6.4).

Where does APS 6 pay sit on the Australian salary index?

The Salary Index uses a simple benchmark: full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $2,083.70 per week, annualised to $108,352 (index 100). This comes from the Australian Bureau of Statistics' Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026. Any salary divided by that figure times 100 gives its index.

For APS 6, the average base salary reported by the Australian Public Service Commission is about $107,059 for women and $107,500 for men. That's an index of roughly 99 – almost exactly on the national line. The bottom of the APS 6 scale (APS 6.1 from March 2026) is $105,260, index 97. The top (APS 6.4) is $127,521, index 118. So the whole range sits from slightly below average to well above.

APS 6 salary details from the enterprise agreement

The Treasury Enterprise Agreement (Appendix A) shows the specific salary levels for APS 6. From 12 March 2026:

• APS 6.1: $105,260
• APS 6.2: $111,232
• APS 6.3: $119,921
• APS 6.4: $127,521

These are base salaries. Total remuneration packages (including superannuation) are higher. The APSC reports that total remuneration for APS 6 increased by 3.5% from 2024 to 2025. The super guarantee is 12% from 1 July 2026, so the employer contribution adds significantly.

How does APS 6 compare by gender?

Unlike the broader Australian workforce, the gender pay gap within APS 6 is tiny. The APSC's 'At a glance 2025' shows female average base salary $107,059 and male $107,500 – a difference of just 0.4%. Nationally, the gap is much larger: men earn $2,181 per week (index 104.6) and women $1,934.50 (index 92.8). The APS has long had pay equity as a policy goal, and these numbers reflect that.

State and industry context

APS 6 employees work across Australia, but most are in Canberra (ACT). The ACT has the highest average weekly earnings of any state or territory: $2,290.20 (index 109.9). So an APS 6 on $107,000 in Canberra is actually below the local average. In contrast, Tasmania's average is $1,846.30 (index 88.6), so the same APS 6 salary would be well above the Tasmanian line. See states for more.

The public administration and safety industry (which includes the APS) has average weekly ordinary-time earnings of $2,179.80 (index 104.6). APS 6 salaries are close to that industry average. Compare with industries like mining (index 154.7) or retail (index 75.9).

Take-home pay example

For an APS 6 on $107,059, using 2026–27 tax rates (with tax-free threshold and 2% Medicare levy):

• Tax: $22,638
• Medicare: $2,141
• Total deductions: $24,779
• Annual take-home: $82,280
• Weekly: $1,582

This excludes HELP repayments, salary sacrifice, or the Medicare levy surcharge. Super is on top of the base salary.

How the index helps you compare

The how the index works page explains the formula: your yearly gross salary divided by $108,352, times 100. An APS 6 on $111,232 (APS 6.2) has an index of 103 – three points above the national line. That's a quick way to see if a role pays above or below the average Australian full-time worker.

Key takeaways

• APS 6 salaries range from about $105,000 to $127,500.
• The average APS 6 salary is almost exactly on the national line (index 99).
• The gender pay gap in APS 6 is negligible.
• Take-home pay for an average APS 6 is roughly $82,000 after tax and Medicare.
• For more on how different roles compare, see topics.

If you're negotiating an APS 6 role or considering a move, remember that the salary index gives you a neutral benchmark. An APS 6 offer at $105,000 is index 97 – slightly below the national line but still a solid professional salary with good conditions and super.