APS 5 Salary 2026–27: What You Take Home After Tax

APS 5 Salary 2026–27: What You Take Home After Tax

If you are looking at an APS 5 role in the Australian Public Service, you want to know the aps 5 salary that actually lands in your bank account. The base pay varies by agency, but the range for 2026–27 is clear: from $88,834 to $99,307 a year. After income tax and the Medicare levy, your fortnightly take-home will be roughly $2,688 to $2,962. That is the figure that matters for your budget.

How the APS 5 Salary Compares to National Benchmarks

The Minimum wage is $26.44 an hour and $1,004.90 a week, which works out to about $52,255 a year. Even the lowest APS 5 salary of $88,834 is well above that. On the other hand, the ABS reports that full-time adult ordinary time earnings average $2,083.70 a week, or $108,352 a year. The APS 5 sits below that average, but remember that the APS pays 15.4% employer super on top of the base salary, which is higher than the 12% super guarantee you might get in the private sector.

After-Tax Pay in Detail

Your take-home depends on your exact salary and pay point. Using the 2026–27 tax rates from the Australian Taxation Office, the first $18,200 is tax-free, then you pay 15 cents for each dollar up to $45,000, and 30 cents for each dollar up to $135,000. The Medicare levy adds 2%, but only once you earn above $28,011 (the single lower threshold). For a full-time APS 5, you will pay the full 2% because your salary is well above $35,013. The Take-home pay calculator on this site can show you the exact figure for your pay point.

For example, on the median APS 5 salary of $92,324, your annual tax would be about $18,618 and Medicare $1,846, leaving you with $71,860 a year, or $2,764 a fortnight. At the top of the range ($99,307), take-home is about $2,962 a fortnight. At the bottom ($88,834), it is about $2,688 a fortnight. These figures assume no HELP/HECS repayment, no salary sacrifice, and no Medicare levy surcharge.

Agency Differences

Not all agencies pay the same. According to , the ATO pays APS 5 from $93,676 to $99,307, while Services Australia and Home Affairs start at $88,834. Treasury pays $93,312 to $99,287. Defence pays $89,841 to $96,829. The service-wide minimum range that every agency must meet is $88,834 to $96,829, but many agencies go higher. The Australian Public Service Commission data shows that 90% of APS 5 employees earn between $86,034 and $96,239, with a median of $92,324.

Super and Other Benefits

Your APS 5 salary is base pay. On top, your agency pays 15.4% employer superannuation. That is a significant extra – on $92,324, that is $14,218 a year going into your super fund. The Super guide explains how this compares to the super guarantee. Also, APS roles often include salary packaging options, which can reduce your taxable income. Check the Salary packaging page for details.

How to Use This Information

When you see a job ad for an APS 5 role, the advertised salary is usually the base. Use the Tax and Medicare page to estimate your take-home. Remember that the Medicare levy thresholds for singles are $28,011 and $35,013 – you will pay the full 2% on an APS 5 salary. If you have a study loan, your take-home will be lower. The figures here are estimates only and not a tax assessment.

Summary

The aps 5 salary for 2026–27 ranges from $88,834 to $99,307, with a median of $92,324. After tax and Medicare, you take home between $2,688 and $2,962 a fortnight. That is well above the minimum wage but below the full-time ordinary time average. The generous super contribution makes the total package even more attractive.