Your APS 6 salary: what you actually take home each fortnight

Understanding your APS 6 salary

Your APS 6 salary is the most senior classification below the Executive Levels in the Australian Public Service. But the figure in your employment contract isn't what lands in your bank account each fortnight. Tax brackets, the Medicare levy, and the fact that super is paid on top all change your take-home pay. Here's how it works.

What is the APS 6 salary range?

APS 6 salaries vary by agency and pay point. From 12 March 2026, the base salary range across agencies is $99,733 to $127,521. For example, Treasury pays from $105,260 to $127,521, while Defence starts at $99,733. [] provides the full pay point table, and [] shows agency-by-agency comparisons. Your exact salary depends on your agency's enterprise agreement and your pay point within APS 6.

How tax brackets affect your fortnight

The 2026–27 tax rates are progressive: you pay nothing on the first $18,200, then 15c per dollar up to $45,000, 30c per dollar up to $135,000, and so on. The Low Income Tax Offset (LITO) also applies up to $66,667. For an APS 6 salary of, say, $105,260, you're in the 30c bracket. Your marginal rate is 32c when you add the 2% Medicare levy. That means each extra dollar you earn is taxed at 32c, which shapes your fortnightly pay.

The Medicare levy

The Medicare levy is 2% of your taxable income. The latest published single-person Medicare thresholds are $28,011 and $35,013. Because your APS 6 salary is well above these, you pay the full 2% on all your taxable income. This adds to your tax bill and reduces your take-home. For a salary of $105,260, the Medicare levy alone is $2,105 a year, or about $81 per fortnight.

Super is separate

Your employer pays 15.4% super on top of your base salary (more than the 12% super guarantee from 1 July 2026). This is not deducted from your take-home pay; it's an additional benefit. When you see an APS 6 salary advertised, it's usually base salary plus super. Your fortnightly take-home is calculated from the base salary only.

Putting it together: your fortnightly take-home

Using the tax rates and Medicare levy, an APS 6 earning $105,260 (Treasury APS 6.1) would have a fortnightly take-home of about $3,118 after tax and Medicare. At the top of the range ($127,521), take-home is about $3,700 per fortnight. These figures come from [] and assume no HELP/HECS or salary packaging. Your actual take-home may differ if you have other deductions.

What changes your fortnight

Three main factors affect your take-home:

• Tax brackets: As your salary increases, you move into higher marginal rates. The 30c bracket (plus 2c Medicare) applies to most APS 6 salaries. The LITO reduces tax for lower incomes but phases out above $66,667.
• Medicare levy: A flat 2% on all taxable income once you exceed the thresholds. No shading for full-time APS 6 salaries.
• Super: Not deducted from your pay, but it's a key part of your total remuneration. Always check whether a salary is quoted as base or total package.

Compare your take-home

You can use the Take-home pay calculator to see your exact fortnightly amount. For more on how tax and Medicare work, see Tax and Medicare. Remember, these are estimates only and not a tax assessment.

Key takeaways

• APS 6 salary range: $99,733 to $127,521.
• Take-home per fortnight: about $2,973 to $3,700 after tax and Medicare.
• Super is paid on top at 15.4%.
• The Medicare levy applies in full at these salary levels.
• Your agency and pay point determine your exact salary.