Where an EL2 salary sits against the Australian full-time average
If you are looking at an EL2 salary in the Australian Public Service, you are probably wondering how it stacks up against the national benchmark. The site’s line is drawn from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026: full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $2,083.70 per week, which works out to about $108,352 a year (multiplied by 52). This is the figure we use as the national full-time average.
The EL2 classification and what we know
EL2 (Executive Level 2) is a senior management band in the APS. The exact salary is not published in the sources provided here – the ABS does not break down earnings by APS classification, and Fair Work covers minimum wages, not public service pay scales. However, EL2 roles are generally well above the national full-time average. For context, the full-time median (from ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025) is about $90,532 a year, and the all-employees median is about $74,100. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, or about $52,255 a year on a 38-hour week (Fair Work).
An EL2 salary is comfortably above all of those figures. It is also above the averages for most states and territories – for example, the highest state average is the ACT at about $119,090 (full-time), and EL2 roles are often based in Canberra, where APS pay tends to be higher.
How the average breaks down by gender and sector
The ABS data for May 2026 shows that men’s full-time ordinary-time average is about $113,412 a year and women’s is about $100,594. The public sector average (all employees) is $1,928.00 per week (about $100,256 a year), while the private sector average is $1,498.70 per week (about $77,932 a year). EL2 is a public sector role, so it aligns more with the public sector average, but senior EL2 roles typically exceed that.
Using the site’s tools
You can place a salary on the line to see exactly how far above or below the national full-time average any figure is. The tool shows the weekly and hourly equivalent on a 38-hour week, plus the distance from the line. For an EL2 salary, you would enter your yearly pre-tax amount, and the site will compare it to the $108,352 benchmark.
If you want to see how EL2 pay compares across different parts of Australia, check the states and territories page. The ACT average is the highest at about $119,090, which reflects the concentration of APS roles. Other states like Western Australia ($115,825) and New South Wales ($109,658) are also above the national average, while Tasmania ($96,008) is below.
Medians and minimum wage context
It is important to keep the averages, medians, and minimum wage distinct. The full-time median ($90,532) is the middle point of all full-time earners – half earn more, half earn less. The all-employees median ($74,100) includes part-time and casual workers. The national minimum wage ($52,255 per year) is the legal floor. An EL2 salary is far above all of these.
Tax considerations for 2026–27
If you are on an EL2 salary, you will be in the 30% or 37% marginal tax bracket, depending on the exact figure. The 2026–27 resident tax rates are: nil up to $18,200; 15% from $18,201 to $45,000; 30% from $45,001 to $135,000; 37% from $135,001 to $190,000; and 45% above $190,000. Plus the Medicare levy of 2% (before any reductions). An EL2 salary typically falls between $120,000 and $150,000, so the 30% bracket applies, moving into 37% at the higher end.
Where to find official EL2 rates
Since the provided sources do not include APS classification pay, you would need to look at the Remuneration Tribunal determinations or your agency’s enterprise agreement. The Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay and Conditions Tool does not cover APS awards. The ABS Average Weekly Earnings release is the best source for economy-wide averages, but not for specific job levels.
Summary
An EL2 salary is above the national full-time average of $108,352. It is also above the full-time median, the all-employees median, and the minimum wage. Without a published figure from the sources here, we cannot give an exact number, but the site’s tools let you compare any salary you input. For more detail on how different industries and occupations compare, see the industry medians and job medians pages.
How the figures are set
The national full-time average comes from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026 (released 13 August 2026). The medians are from ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025. The minimum wage is from Fair Work, effective 1 July 2026. These are the official sources we rely on. For more on our methodology, visit how the figures are set and about this site.