APS6 salary: where it sits on the Australian salary index

APS6 salary and the Australian salary index

The APS6 classification is one of the most common levels in the Australian Public Service. It covers skilled professionals, team leaders, and technical specialists. But where does an APS6 salary sit compared to the national average? The answer depends on the pay point, the year, and whether you look at the enterprise agreement minimums or the actual average paid.

What the enterprise agreement says

The Treasury Enterprise Agreement sets base salary rates for each APS6 pay point. From 12 March 2026, the rates are:

• APS6.1: $105,260
• APS6.2: $111,232
• APS6.3: $119,921
• APS6.4: $127,521

These are the minimum base salaries for employees covered by that agreement. Many agencies pay above these rates, especially for higher-level duties or in hard-to-fill roles.

The average APS6 salary from the APS Commission

The Australian Public Service Commission publishes an annual snapshot. In 2025, the average base salary for APS6 was $107,059 for women and $107,500 for men. The gender pay gap within the classification is very small at 0.4%. This average blends all pay points and includes both ongoing and non-ongoing employees.

Where that sits on the salary index

The Salary Index uses a baseline of 100, which equals $108,352 per year (full-time adult ordinary-time earnings from the ABS, May 2026). To find your index, divide your gross annual salary by $108,352 and multiply by 100.

• APS6.1 at $105,260 gives an index of 97.1 – slightly below the national line.
• APS6.2 at $111,232 gives an index of 102.7 – just above average.
• APS6.3 at $119,921 gives an index of 110.7 – comfortably above.
• APS6.4 at $127,521 gives an index of 117.7 – well above the national average.

The 2025 average of $107,500 gives an index of 99.2, meaning the typical APS6 employee earns almost exactly the national average, but a fraction below.

How the index helps you compare

The index is useful because it adjusts for changes in the national earnings line over time. If your APS6 salary increases by 4% but the national line also rises by 4%, your index stays the same. You can use the index to compare your pay across states or industries. For example, the same APS6 salary of $107,500 would have a higher purchasing power in Tasmania (state index 88.6) than in the ACT (state index 109.9), but the salary index itself only measures gross earnings relative to the national line.

What about super and tax?

APS6 employees receive superannuation guarantee contributions. From 1 July 2026, the rate is 12% of base salary, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830. So on a $107,500 salary, the employer contributes an extra $12,900 into super. That is not counted in the salary index, which uses gross ordinary-time earnings only.

For take-home pay, a resident earning $107,500 in 2026–27 would pay about $24,675 in income tax (using the tax-free threshold, 30% bracket up to $135,000, plus 2% Medicare levy). That leaves roughly $82,825 after tax, or about $6,902 per month. The index does not account for tax, but it gives a consistent benchmark for gross pay.

How APS6 compares to other classifications

The APS Commission data shows the weighted median base salary change for non-SES employees was 4.2% from 2024 to 2025. For context, the national minimum wage rose to $26.44 per hour from 1 July 2026, which annualises to $52,255 (index 48.2). An APS6.1 salary is more than double that. At the other end, an EL1.1 salary is $137,301 (index 126.7), and an EL2.1 is $167,708 (index 154.8).

Caveats to keep in mind

The figures here come from two main sources: the APS Commission's "At a glance 2025" report and the Treasury Enterprise Agreement. The average base salary is for 2025; the 2026 average may be higher due to the 4.2% increase. The enterprise agreement rates are minimums; actual pay can be higher. Also, the index is a gross benchmark – it does not include super, allowances, or bonuses. For a full picture, consider total remuneration package, which for APS6 averaged around $120,000 in 2025.

Why the index matters for APS employees

If you are an APS6 employee or considering a move into the APS, the salary index helps you see where your pay sits against the national line. It is a quick way to check whether your salary is keeping pace with the broader economy. You can also compare your index to the pay guides for your industry or state. For most APS6 roles, the index hovers around 100, meaning the public service pays close to the national average for skilled professional work.

FAQs

What is the APS6 salary range in 2026?

Under the Commonwealth Enterprise Agreement effective from 12 March 2026, the APS6 base salary ranges from $105,260 (APS6.1) to $127,521 (APS6.4). The average base salary reported for 2025 was $107,500, but 2026 averages are not yet available.

How does the APS6 salary compare to the national average?

The national index baseline (100) is $108,352 annualised. The APS6.1 salary of $105,260 sits at index 97.1, slightly below the national line. The APS6.4 salary of $127,521 is at index 117.7, well above. The 2025 average of $107,500 is at index 99.2, just below the national average.

What does the salary index mean for APS6 employees?

The salary index compares your gross annual salary to the national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings. An index of 100 means you earn exactly the national average. APS6 salaries typically fall between 97 and 118, meaning most APS6 roles pay close to or above the national line, depending on the pay point.