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APS 5 salary: How it compares to the national average

The APS 5 salary range ($93,312–$99,287) sits below the national full-time average of $108,352, but increments and location allowances can narrow the gap.

This sits on the Australian full-time average.

Week, hour, and a tax sketch

$2,084 a week · $54.83 an hour if spread over 38 hours

About $83,159 after resident income tax and a 2% Medicare levy.

2026–27 resident rates and a 2% Medicare levy. Not a tax assessment.Open the full line

APS 5 salary and the national average

The APS 5 salary is a common entry point for professional roles in the Australian Public Service. In 2026, the base salaries set by the Commonwealth Enterprise Agreement are $93,312 at APS 5.1 and $99,287 at APS 5.2. These figures are drawn from the Treasury Enterprise Agreement, which applies to most APS agencies.

Where the national average sits

The ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026 reported full-time adult ordinary time earnings of $2,083.70 per week. Multiplied by 52 weeks, that equals about $108,352 per year. This is the line used by Average line to show how any salary compares. Both APS 5 pay points fall below that line. The gap is roughly $9,000 to $15,000, depending on the increment.

How increments and allowances close the gap

Moving from APS 5.1 to APS 5.2 adds about $5,975, reducing the distance to the average. Many APS 5 roles also attract a location allowance if based in Canberra or a remote area. For example, the Canberra allowance adds a few thousand dollars per year. Overtime and shift penalties, where applicable, can further lift total earnings. Some agencies offer performance bonuses or retention allowances that are not captured in the base salary.

What keeps pay below the average

Part-time or job-share arrangements reduce weekly earnings proportionally. Starting at APS 5.1 rather than 5.2 means a lower base. Without allowances or overtime, the salary remains below the national full-time average. The gender pay gap also plays a role: women in the APS are more likely to be at lower classification levels or work part-time, which can affect overall earnings.

Comparing to other benchmarks

The full-time median earnings (from the ABS Employee Earnings survey, August 2025) are about $90,532 per year. The APS 5.1 salary of $93,312 sits slightly above that median. The all-employees median (including part-time) is about $74,100. So an APS 5 salary is comfortably above the typical Australian worker's earnings when all employees are considered. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or about $52,255 per year on a 38-hour week. APS 5 salaries are nearly double that.

State and territory context

The national average masks variation across states. For instance, the ACT full-time average is about $119,090, well above the APS 5 range. In Tasmania, the average is about $96,008, which is close to the APS 5.2 level. So an APS 5 salary in Tasmania would be near the state average, while in the ACT it would be below. States and territories shows how each region compares.

What would move this pay above the average?

To exceed the national full-time average of $108,352, an APS 5 employee would need to earn more than the base salary. Options include:

  • Progressing to APS 6 or higher classification.
  • Receiving significant allowances (e.g., for specialised skills, regional work, or on-call duties).
  • Working substantial overtime or receiving a performance bonus that lifts total remuneration above the base.
  • Being employed in a location with a higher cost-of-living allowance.

Without these extras, the APS 5 salary stays below the line. Place a salary on the line to see exactly where your pay sits.

How the figures are set

The APS salary scales are negotiated through enterprise bargaining and published in agency enterprise agreements. The Treasury Agreement is one example. The ABS collects earnings data through the Average Weekly Earnings survey, which is released twice a year (May and November). The national minimum wage is set by Fair Work after the annual wage review. How the figures are set explains the methodology behind each benchmark.

Key takeaways

  • APS 5 base salaries in 2026 are $93,312 (APS 5.1) and $99,287 (APS 5.2).
  • The national full-time average is about $108,352, so APS 5 is below average.
  • Increments, allowances, and overtime can narrow or close the gap.
  • Compared to the full-time median ($90,532), APS 5.1 is slightly above.
  • State averages vary; in Tasmania the APS 5.2 is near the state average, while in the ACT it is well below.

For more detail on how different occupations compare, see Job medians or Industry medians.

Questions

What is the APS 5 salary in 2026?

Under the Commonwealth Enterprise Agreement, the APS 5 classification has two pay points from 12 March 2026: APS 5.1 at $93,312 and APS 5.2 at $99,287 per year. These are base salaries before any allowances or superannuation.

How does APS 5 compare to the national average?

The national full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings were $2,083.70 per week in May 2026, according to the ABS. That works out to about $108,352 per year. Both APS 5 pay points are below that average. The APS 5.2 is about $9,065 lower, while APS 5.1 is about $15,040 lower.

What factors can move APS 5 pay above or below the average?

Increments within the classification (from APS 5.1 to APS 5.2) bring pay closer to the average. Location allowances for working in remote areas or Canberra can add thousands. Overtime, shift penalties, and performance bonuses may also lift total earnings above the base salary. Conversely, part-time hours or a lower increment point keep pay below the average.

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