What an APS5 salary means when you're comparing job offers
Understand the APS5 salary range using the latest ATO and APSC data, and see how it compares to the national line on the Salary Index.
An APS5 salary typically sits between 85 and 92 on the Salary Index, depending on the agency and pay step.
What is an APS5 salary?
An APS5 salary is the pay rate for an employee at the APS Level 5 classification in the Australian Public Service. It sits above APS4 and below APS6, and is often the level where officers start taking on more independent work, such as managing projects, drafting policy advice, or handling complex casework. If you're reading a job ad that says 'APS5', the salary figure is usually set by an enterprise agreement or the agency's own pay scale.
Two authoritative sources give us the current picture. The Australian Taxation Office's enterprise agreement (Attachment A, Schedule 1) shows APS5 pay points as at 31 August 2023 ranging from $83,922 to $88,967. After the scheduled increases – 4.0% from March 2024, 3.8% from March 2025, and 3.4% from March 2026 – the range becomes $93,676 to $99,307. These are ATO-specific rates, but they give a solid benchmark for what a large agency pays.
The Australian Public Service Commission's 31 December 2025 remuneration data provides a broader view. Across all APS agencies, the average base salary for APS5 is $92,177 for women and $92,191 for men – essentially identical. This average is lower than the ATO's top step, which makes sense because not every agency pays at the top of the scale.
How to compare APS5 job offers using the Salary Index
The Salary Index puts every gross annual salary against the national line of 100, which is the full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 per year (from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). To find the index for an APS5 salary, divide the offered salary by $108,352 and multiply by 100.
For example:
- An APS5 offer of $92,200 gives an index of 85.1.
- An APS5 offer of $99,307 (ATO top step) gives an index of 91.6.
Both sit below the national line, which is typical for mid-level public service roles. By contrast, the national minimum wage (index 48.2) and the retail trade industry average (index 75.9) are lower, while professional services (index 114.7) and mining (index 154.7) are higher. You can explore industry benchmarks to see how APS5 compares with other sectors.
When you see a job ad quoting an APS5 salary, ask yourself: does the ad state a base salary or a total remuneration package (TRP)? The TRP often includes the 12% superannuation guarantee (from 1 July 2026) and may include allowances. The Salary Index uses gross ordinary-time earnings, so compare like with like. If the ad says 'TRP $105,000', the base salary might be around $93,750 (after removing 12% super). That base would give an index of about 86.5.
Factors that affect APS5 pay
Not all APS5 jobs pay the same. The main variables are:
- Agency: The ATO pays at the higher end; smaller agencies may pay at the lower end of the scale.
- Location: Some agencies offer location allowances for remote or high-cost areas. For example, an APS5 role in Canberra (ACT index 109.9) might include a higher base than one in Tasmania (index 88.6). See state comparisons.
- Pay point: Most enterprise agreements have multiple steps within APS5. New starters usually begin at the lowest step and progress annually.
- Specialist skills: If the role requires IT, legal, or scientific expertise, the agency may use a different classification (e.g., Information Technology Officer Class 1) that pays at a similar level but with different progression.
Take-home pay estimate for an APS5 salary
Using the average APS5 base of $92,200, here's a rough take-home calculation for 2026–27 (resident, tax-free threshold claimed, no HELP or salary sacrifice):
- Gross annual: $92,200
- Income tax: $17,438 (using 2026–27 rates: nil to $18,200, 15% to $45,000, 30% to $135,000)
- Medicare levy (2%): $1,844
- Net annual: $72,918
- Net monthly: $6,076
Remember that this is before any additional deductions like the Medicare levy surcharge (if you don't have appropriate private hospital cover) or HELP repayments. Your actual take-home will vary.
Where to go next
If you're comparing multiple APS offers, use the Salary Index to normalise them. You can also read our pay guides for other classifications like APS4 and APS6. For a deeper dive into how public service pay stacks up against private sector roles, see our topics page on government versus industry earnings.
Understanding your APS5 salary in context – against the national line, against other agencies, and after tax – helps you make a more informed decision when you're reading job ads and weighing up offers.
Questions people ask
What is the typical APS5 salary in 2026?
Based on the Australian Public Service Commission's December 2025 data, the average APS5 base salary is about $92,200 per year. However, individual agencies may pay more or less. For example, the Australian Taxation Office's enterprise agreement shows APS5 rates from $93,676 to $99,307 after the March 2026 increase, depending on the pay point.
How does an APS5 salary compare to the national average?
The national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings are $108,352 per year (index 100). An APS5 salary of $92,200 gives an index of about 85, meaning it is 15% below the national line. Even the top ATO APS5 step of $99,307 is only index 92, still below average. This reflects that APS5 is a mid-level classification, not a senior role.
What is the take-home pay for an APS5 salary?
For a gross annual salary of $92,200 in 2026–27, a resident with the tax-free threshold and no other deductions would pay about $17,438 in income tax plus $1,844 in Medicare levy (2%), leaving an estimated take-home of $72,918 per year, or $6,076 per month. This is a rough estimate and does not include HELP repayments, salary sacrifice, or the Medicare levy surcharge.