Understanding the EL1 Salary in Context
The EL1 (Executive Level 1) classification is a common grade in the Australian Public Service. While the exact salary for an EL1 role is not directly reported in the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) earnings surveys, it is set by enterprise agreements that vary across agencies. This article helps you understand where an EL1 salary might sit relative to the national benchmarks published by the ABS and Fair Work.
The National Full-Time Average
The ABS Average Weekly Earnings report for May 2026 shows that full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings are $2,083.70. Over a 52-week year, that equals about $108,352. This is the figure that Average line uses as its national line. If your EL1 salary is above this, you are earning more than the typical full-time worker; if below, you are below the average.
It is important to note that this average includes all full-time adults across all industries and sectors. The public sector average is higher: $2,263.10 per week ($117,681 per year), while the private sector average is $2,034.10 per week ($105,773 per year). Since APS employees are in the public sector, the public sector average may be a more relevant benchmark.
How the Average Compares to Medians and the Minimum Wage
The ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey from August 2025 provides median earnings. The full-time median weekly total cash earnings are $1,887.00, which is about $90,532 per year. The median for all employees (including part-time) is $1,436.00 per week, or about $74,100 per year. Medians are less affected by very high or low salaries, so they can be a useful comparison for typical pay.
The national minimum wage, as set by Fair Work from 1 July 2026, is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, or about $52,255 per year on a 38-hour week. Award minimum wages increased by 4.75% in the same review. An EL1 salary is substantially above the minimum wage, but the exact gap depends on the specific agency agreement.
State-by-State Averages
Full-time average ordinary time earnings vary by state and territory. The ABS data for May 2026 shows:
- New South Wales: $2,108.80 per week ($109,658 per year)
- Victoria: $2,041.10 per week ($106,137 per year)
- Queensland: $2,039.70 per week ($106,064 per year)
- South Australia: $1,970.20 per week ($102,450 per year)
- Western Australia: $2,227.40 per week ($115,825 per year)
- Tasmania: $1,846.30 per week ($96,008 per year)
- Northern Territory: $1,984.10 per week ($103,173 per year)
- Australian Capital Territory: $2,290.20 per week ($119,090 per year)
If you are an APS employee in Canberra (ACT), the local average is higher than the national average, reflecting the concentration of public sector roles.
Reading Your Salary as Year, Week, and Hour
On Average line, you can enter any yearly salary and see it broken down into weekly and hourly amounts based on a 38-hour week. For example, if your EL1 salary is $110,000 per year, that equates to about $2,115 per week and $55.66 per hour. You can then compare that to the national line of $108,352 per year. The site also shows the distance from the average, so you can see whether you are above or below.
If you do not know your exact salary, you can use the benchmarks above to estimate. Remember that the national average is updated twice a year (May and November) by the ABS. The next release will be for November 2026.
Using the Site
You can Place a salary on the line to see how it compares to the national full-time average. You can also explore States and territories to see how averages differ across Australia. For more detailed comparisons by occupation or industry, see Job medians and Industry medians. For guidance on interpreting these figures, visit our Guides.
The figures on this page are from the ABS (Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026 and Employee Earnings and Hours, August 2025) and Fair Work (National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026). Tax rates are for 2026–27: tax-free threshold up to $18,200, then 15% to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, 30% to $135,000, 37% to $190,000, and 45% above that, plus a 2% Medicare levy (subject to reductions). These tax brackets can help you estimate your take-home pay.
In summary, while the exact EL1 salary is not a single published figure, the national full-time average provides a clear context for understanding where your salary sits. Use the tools on this site to make that comparison.