What is the APS 6 salary in 2026?

The APS 6 salary is determined by the Australian Public Service Enterprise Agreement. From 12 March 2026, the lowest APS 6.1 rate is $105,260 per year. Higher steps (APS 6.2 to 6.4) go up to $127,521 per year. These are base salaries before superannuation.

How does the APS 6 salary compare with the national minimum wage?

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week. The APS 6.1 salary equates to about $53.26 per hour (based on a 38-hour week), which is roughly double the minimum. The APS 6 rate is set by an enterprise agreement and is much higher than the legal floor.

Is superannuation included in the APS 6 salary?

No. The APS 6 salary figures shown in the enterprise agreement are base salaries. The employer must pay superannuation guarantee contributions on top, currently 12% of ordinary time earnings. So the total employment cost is higher than the base salary.

APS 6 Salary: How It Compares With the Legal Minimum and Average Earnings

The APS 6 salary is set by an enterprise agreement, not the national minimum wage; for 2026 the lowest APS 6.1 rate is $105,260 per year, well above the $26.44 per hour minimum.

What is the APS 6 salary?

The term "APS 6 salary" refers to the pay rate for employees classified at the APS 6 level under the Australian Public Service Enterprise Agreement. This is not a minimum wage set by the Fair Work Commission; it is a negotiated salary that applies to public servants covered by that agreement. The enterprise agreement sets out base salaries for each classification and step, and these rates are reviewed periodically.

From 12 March 2026, the APS 6.1 base salary is $105,260 per year. Higher steps within APS 6 range up to $127,521 per year. These figures are published in Appendix A of the enterprise agreement, which is available on the Fair Work Commission's website. The agreement also includes earlier rates for 2024 and 2025, showing a phased increase.

How the APS 6 salary relates to the legal minimum

Australia has a national minimum wage that applies to employees not covered by an award or registered agreement. From 1 July 2026, the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week, as set by the Fair Work Commission. The Fair Work Ombudsman explains and enforces these rates.

Most employees, including those in the public service, are covered by either a modern award or an enterprise agreement. The enterprise agreement sets minimum conditions that cannot be less than the relevant award. For APS employees, the enterprise agreement rates are significantly higher than the national minimum. For example, the APS 6.1 hourly rate (based on a 38-hour week) is about $53.26, compared to the national minimum of $26.44.

It is important to note that the national minimum wage is a floor. Juniors, apprentices, trainees, and employees on introductory award rates may be paid less than the adult minimum. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides detailed guidance on these exceptions.

What you actually take home: tax, Medicare, and super

When discussing the APS 6 salary, it is useful to consider the weekly packet after deductions. The base weekly amount for APS 6.1 is approximately $2,024.23 ($105,260 ÷ 52). From this, the employer must deduct PAYG withholding tax and the Medicare levy (estimated at 2% once annual income exceeds $30,000). The actual take-home pay depends on individual circumstances such as tax offsets, HELP repayments, and salary sacrifice arrangements.

Superannuation is an employer payment on top of the base salary. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee rate is 12% of ordinary time earnings. For an APS 6.1 employee, that adds about $12,631 per year in employer super contributions, bringing the total employment cost to around $117,891.

Comparing the APS 6 salary to average earnings

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reports that in May 2026, full-time adult ordinary-time earnings averaged $2,083.70 per week. The APS 6.1 weekly rate of $2,024.23 is slightly below that average. However, all employees average total earnings (including part-time and casual) were $1,579.20 per week, so the APS 6 salary is well above that broader measure.

For more context on how different pay rates compare, see our Rate tables which show various award and agreement rates alongside the national minimum. Our Guides also explain how to determine which pay floor applies to your job.

Important caveats

The figures in this article are based on the Australian Public Service Enterprise Agreement as published by the Fair Work Commission. Individual agencies may have additional arrangements or allowances. The national minimum wage and award rates are reviewed annually by the Fair Work Commission, with changes usually taking effect from the first full pay period on or after 1 July.

If you are not covered by an enterprise agreement, you may be covered by a modern award. The Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool can help you find the correct minimum pay rates for your industry and occupation. Remember that an award or agreement can always set a higher rate than the national minimum, but never a lower one (except for permitted junior, apprentice, or supported wage rates).

This article provides general information only and is not legal or tax advice. For specific pay queries, consult the Fair Work Ombudsman or a qualified professional.