core classification levels
Australian Public Service
APS pay: one classification system, separate agency agreements.
A clear guide to APS levels, Executive Levels, Senior Executive Service bands and why current salary points remain agency-specific.
Pay system at a glance
Start with the structure, then check the employer and place.
Currency: AUD2026 framework
executive levels
senior executive bands
How the scale works
Grade and progression
1
Classification measures work value
APS Level 1 through 6 and Executive Level 1 and 2 distinguish the complexity, responsibility and independence expected of a role.
2
Senior leadership uses SES bands
Senior Executive Service Bands 1, 2 and 3 cover progressively more senior leadership and management roles.
3
Some agencies use broadbands
A broadband can group classifications, but movement within it still depends on the applicable agreement, available higher-level work, capability and performance rules.
Why two salaries can differ
Employer, place and coverage
Agency enterprise agreement
APS agencies continue to have separate enterprise agreements, even where common APS-wide conditions and headline increases apply.
Pay points and progression
The number of salary points and the rules for moving between them come from the employing agency's agreement or other employment instrument.
Location and allowances
There is no US-style APS locality grid. Remote-area, location or role allowances must be checked in the relevant vacancy and agreement.
Newest verified update
Framework checked 3 June 2026
The latest pay increase did not create one APS salary table
Current agreements included a final 3.4% general increase from 12 March 2026. The latest published APS-wide remuneration dataset remains the 31 December 2024 snapshot, released 7 August 2025; it is descriptive data, not a current vacancy scale.
Before using a figure
Checks that make the number useful.
- Agency: the same APS classification can have different pay points under separate agreements.
- Progression: years of service alone do not guarantee movement to the next pay point.
- Remuneration data: published medians describe a past workforce snapshot, not current vacancy rates.
- Coverage: state and territory services and non-APS Commonwealth bodies use different arrangements.
Official sources only
Verify the current rate at source
These links lead to the government or EU authority responsible for the structure, current table or employment framework.
APS and Executive Level work standardsOfficial descriptions of APS Level 1-6 and Executive Level 1-2 work value.About jobs in the APSApplicant-friendly classification groups, broadbands and agency terminology.APS bargaining frequently asked questionsWhy APS agencies retain separate enterprise agreements and agency-level terms.APS Remuneration Data 31 December 2024The latest published service-wide remuneration snapshot available at the verification date.
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