APS4 salary: how it compares across states and industries
Find out the APS4 salary in Australia, how it compares to the national average, and what it means for your take-home pay in different states and industries.
The APS4 salary averages around $82,500 per year, placing it at an index of about 76, below the national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings benchmark.
What does "APS4 salary" mean?
APS4 is a classification level in the Australian Public Service (APS). It sits above APS3 and below APS5. People in APS4 roles typically have some experience and may supervise others or handle more complex tasks. The salary is set by an enterprise agreement that applies across all federal government agencies.
How much is the APS4 salary?
According to the Australian Public Service Commission's At a glance 2025 report, the average base salary for an APS4 employee is about $82,537 for women and $82,595 for men. The Enterprise Agreement (Appendix A) shows the minimum rates: from 13 March 2025, APS4.1 pays $80,266 and APS4.2 pays $84,465. Most APS4 employees fall somewhere in that range.
To put that in perspective, the national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings (the line we call index 100) is $108,352 per year, based on the ABS Average Weekly Earnings for May 2026. So an APS4 salary of $82,500 gives an index of about 76. That means it is roughly three-quarters of the national average.
State differences in real value
Because APS4 pay is set nationally, your base salary is the same whether you work in Canberra, Sydney, or Hobart. But the cost of living varies a lot between states. The states page shows that the ACT has an index of 109.9, meaning average earnings there are above the national line. Tasmania has an index of 88.6, well below. So an APS4 salary of $82,500 goes further in Tasmania than in the ACT.
For example, an APS4 in Canberra might find it harder to afford rent compared to someone in Hobart, even though they earn the same base pay. Some agencies offer location-based allowances or remote work provisions, but the core salary is fixed.
Industry comparison
APS4 is in the public administration industry, which is not separately listed in our industries benchmarks, but we can compare it to other sectors. The national average for all industries is index 100. APS4 at index 76 is below that. It is close to Retail trade (index 75.9) and above Accommodation and food services (72.5). It is well below Professional, scientific and technical services (114.7) and Mining (154.7).
This comparison helps you see where APS4 sits relative to other jobs. Keep in mind that APS roles often come with job security, superannuation (12% from 1 July 2026), and other benefits that may not be reflected in the base salary.
Take-home pay estimate
Using the resident tax rates for 2026–27 (with tax-free threshold and 2% Medicare levy), an APS4 salary of $82,500 would have a take-home pay of roughly $63,500 per year, or about $1,221 per week. That is after tax but before any salary sacrifice, HELP repayments, or other deductions. The exact amount depends on your circumstances.
How the salary index works
The Salary Index compares any yearly gross salary to the national line of $108,352. You divide the salary by $108,352 and multiply by 100. For APS4: $82,500 ÷ $108,352 × 100 ≈ 76. That means the APS4 salary is 24% below the national average for full-time adult ordinary-time earnings.
What affects APS4 pay?
While the base salary is set nationally, your actual pay can vary. Some agencies pay above the minimum rate. You may also get allowances for shift work, on-call duties, or working in remote locations. The Enterprise Agreement includes annual increases: from 12 March 2026, APS4.1 will rise to $82,995 and APS4.2 to $87,337.
Superannuation is 12% on top of your base salary, paid into your super fund. That is not included in the salary figures above but is an important part of your total reward.
How to use this information
If you are considering an APS4 role, look at the pay guides for your agency. Compare the salary to the cost of living in your state using our states page. And remember that the index is a benchmark, not a guarantee of what you will earn. For more context on how different jobs stack up, explore our topics section.
Summary
The APS4 salary averages around $82,500, giving an index of 76. It is a solid entry-to-mid-level government salary, but it falls below the national average. State cost-of-living differences mean the real value varies, and compared to many private-sector industries, APS4 pay is modest. However, the stability, super, and conditions make it an attractive option for many workers.
Questions people ask
What is the current APS4 salary in Australia?
The APS4 salary under the current Enterprise Agreement ranges from $80,266 (APS 4.1) to $84,465 (APS 4.2) per year as of 13 March 2025. The Australian Public Service Commission reports an average base salary of about $82,537 for women and $82,595 for men. These figures are before super and tax.
How does the APS4 salary compare across different states?
APS4 pay is set nationally, so the base salary is the same regardless of where you work. However, the real value differs because of cost of living. For example, an APS4 salary of $82,500 has an index of about 76. In the ACT (index 109.9), the same salary buys less than in Tasmania (index 88.6) where living costs are lower.
How does an APS4 salary compare to other industries?
The APS4 salary index of around 76 is below the national average (100). It is similar to Retail trade (index 75.9) but lower than Professional, scientific and technical services (index 114.7) and Mining (154.7). It is higher than Accommodation and food services (72.5). Keep in mind these are industry averages, not specific job comparisons.