APS6 salary: How the APS6 salary compares with the national minimum and award rates

APS6 salary: What it is and how it fits into Australia’s pay landscape

If you are searching for “APS6 salary”, you are likely looking at the Australian Public Service classification structure. The APS6 is a skilled or supervisory role, and its pay is set by the APS Enterprise Agreement, not by a modern award or the national minimum wage. This guide explains the APS6 salary, how it compares with the legal minimum, and what you need to know about superannuation and tax.

The legal minimum: national minimum wage and awards

Every employee in Australia is entitled to a minimum wage. For employees not covered by an award or registered agreement, the national minimum wage applies. From 1 July 2026, that rate 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 this rate.

Most employees, however, are covered by a modern award. Modern award minimum wages rose by 4.75% from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026. The lowest ongoing classification in any award cannot fall below the national minimum. Some awards have introductory rates for the first six months, which cannot be less than $25.74 per hour or $978.10 per week.

APS employees are not covered by a modern award. Instead, they are covered by the APS Enterprise Agreement, a registered agreement that sets higher minimum pay rates. The Fair Work Commission’s Modern Awards Pay Database does not apply to them.

The APS6 salary under the enterprise agreement

The APS Enterprise Agreement appendix lists base salaries for each classification. For the APS6 classification, there are four salary points. From 12 March 2026, the rates are:

• APS6.1: $105,260 per year
• APS6.2: $111,232
• APS6.3: $119,921
• APS6.4: $127,521

These are annual base salaries before tax. The weekly equivalent of APS6.1 is about $2,024.23. This is well above the national minimum wage and most award rates.

How the APS6 salary compares with average earnings

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reported in May 2026 that full-time adult ordinary-time earnings averaged $2,083.70 per week. The APS6.1 base salary is slightly below that average, but higher APS6 points exceed it. Remember, the APS6 salary is a base figure; superannuation is paid on top.

Superannuation: an employer payment on top

When discussing the APS6 salary, it is important to note that the base salary does not include superannuation. The superannuation guarantee requires employers to pay 12% of ordinary time earnings into the employee’s super fund. For an APS6.1 employee on $105,260, the employer would contribute an additional $12,631.20 per year. Total remuneration is therefore higher than the base salary.

Separating the legal minimum, award rates, and negotiated salaries

It is easy to confuse different types of pay rates. Here is a clear breakdown:

• Legal minimum: The national minimum wage is the floor for award-free employees. Juniors, apprentices, trainees, and some introductory award rates, and supported wages can be lower.
• Award rates: Modern awards set minimums for specific industries. Most awards have multiple classifications, and the Fair Work Commission’s database contains the calculated minimum rates.
• Negotiated salary: Enterprise agreements like the APS Agreement set higher rates. The APS6 salary is a negotiated rate, not a minimum wage.
• Survey average: The ABS publishes average earnings, which are not a legal requirement but a useful benchmark.

What if you are not covered by the APS Agreement?

If you are not an APS employee, your minimum pay depends on your award or agreement. Use the Which minimum wage applies guide to find your correct pay floor. You can also check Rate tables for current award and national minimum rates.

FAQs

What is the APS6 salary? The APS6 salary is a classification level in the Australian Public Service Enterprise Agreement. From 12 March 2026, the base salary for APS6.1 is $105,260 per year, rising to $127,521 for APS6.4. These are base salaries before super.

How does the APS6 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 lowest APS6 salary (APS6.1) equates to about $2,024 per week, roughly double the national minimum. However, the APS6 is covered by an enterprise agreement, so the agreement rate is the legal minimum for those employees.

Does the APS6 salary include superannuation? No. The APS Enterprise Agreement base salaries are exclusive of super. The super guarantee requires employers to pay an additional 12% on top of ordinary time earnings, so total remuneration for an APS6 employee is higher than the base salary.

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