EL1 Salary: How It Compares with the National Minimum Wage and Award Rates

EL1 Salary and the National Minimum Wage

The term "EL1 salary" refers to the pay rate for an Executive Level 1 employee in the Australian Public Service (APS). Unlike the national minimum wage, which is set by the Fair Work Commission each year, the EL1 salary is negotiated through enterprise agreements between APS agencies and employee representatives. This means there is no single EL1 rate; it varies by agency, role, and the applicable enterprise agreement. However, the national minimum wage remains the legal floor for all employees in Australia, including those covered by an enterprise agreement.

The Legal Minimum: National Minimum Wage and Award Rates

For employees not covered by an award or registered agreement, the national minimum wage applies. From 1 July 2026, the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a 38‑hour week. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, bringing the casual rate to $33.05 per hour. These rates are set by the Fair Work Commission, and the Fair Work Ombudsman provides guidance and enforcement.

Most employees are covered by a modern award, which sets minimum pay rates higher than the national minimum wage. The lowest ongoing classification in any modern award cannot fall below $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week. Some awards include introductory rates (limited to the first six months) that can be as low as $25.74 per hour or $978.10 per week. Enterprise agreements, like those covering APS employees, can set pay rates above the award or national minimum, but they cannot undercut them.

It is important to note that not all workers receive the adult national minimum wage. Juniors, apprentices, trainees, and employees with a disability may be paid lower rates under special provisions. For award‑free juniors, the percentage of the national minimum wage increases with age, from 36.8% for under‑16s to 97.7% for 20‑year‑olds.

How EL1 Salaries Are Determined

EL1 salaries are set by the APS Enterprise Agreement or individual agency‑specific agreements. These agreements are registered with the Fair Work Commission and must pass the better‑offs‑overall test, meaning the total package must be at least as favourable as the relevant award. Because EL1 roles are managerial or professional, the applicable award is often the Professional Employees Award or a similar classification, but the enterprise agreement overrides it.

Publicly available enterprise agreements show that EL1 salaries typically start above $100,000 per year, but precise figures vary. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reports that full‑time adult ordinary‑time earnings were $2,083.70 per week in May 2026, which equates to about $108,352 per year. EL1 salaries are generally in line with or above this average, but no single median is published by the ABS or Fair Work for this classification.

Employers must pay superannuation guarantee on top of the base salary. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee rate is 12% of ordinary time earnings. So an EL1 employee on a base salary of $110,000 would receive an additional $13,200 in super, making total remuneration $123,200.

Comparing EL1 Salary to the Minimum

While the national minimum wage provides a useful benchmark, EL1 salaries are far above it. For example, an EL1 employee earning $110,000 per year earns about $2,115 per week before tax, which is more than double the national minimum wage of $1,004.90. After tax and Medicare (estimated at 2% once annual income exceeds $30,000), the take‑home pay is still significantly higher.

It is also worth noting that the national minimum wage is a gross figure before tax. The tax system for 2026‑27 uses progressive rates, and the low‑income tax offset can reduce tax for lower earners. However, EL1 employees are generally in higher tax brackets, so their effective tax rate is higher.

Using This Site

For more information on which minimum wage applies to you, see Which minimum wage applies and Rate tables. These resources help you identify the correct pay floor for your situation, whether you are covered by an award, enterprise agreement, or the national minimum wage.

FAQs

(FAQs are listed in the JSON above.)

For the published floors, see the rate tables and how the figures work.