APS4 Salary 2026–27: How It Compares to the Minimum Wage and Full-Time Average
The APS4 salary ranges from about $79,322 to $91,199 a year depending on the agency and pay point.
What the APS4 Salary Means for Your Take-Home Pay
If you're looking at an APS4 role in the Australian Public Service, you want to know the actual amount that lands in your bank account. The APS4 salary for 2026–27 ranges from about $79,322 to $91,199 a year, depending on your agency and pay point. After income tax and the Medicare levy, that works out to roughly $2,439 to $2,750 a fortnight. That's your take-home pay before any salary packaging or super contributions.
Where the APS4 Salary Sits Against Key Benchmarks
To put that in perspective, the national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 an hour and $1,004.90 a week, or about $52,255 a year. The APS4 salary starts well above that. But it's also below the full-time adult ordinary time earnings average of $2,083.70 a week ($108,352 a year). So an APS4 is a solid mid-level role – not entry-level, but not yet at the executive band.
You can compare these figures side by side on our Benchmarks page. And if you're wondering how your own pay stacks up, use our Take-home pay calculator to see what you'd actually keep after tax.
Agency-by-Agency Differences
Not all APS4 salaries are the same. Each agency negotiates its own enterprise agreement, so the same classification can pay differently. According to the latest data from , here are some examples:
- Australian Taxation Office: $84,028 – $91,199
- Treasury: $82,995 – $87,337
- Services Australia: $79,322 – $87,886
- Home Affairs: $79,476 – $86,246
- Defence: $81,868 – $89,377
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: $79,125 – $88,096 (from )
The ATO has the highest top pay point at $91,199, while Services Australia has the lowest starting salary at $79,322. The ABS starts at $79,125, slightly below the others.
What About Tax and Medicare?
The take-home figures above are after income tax and the Medicare levy for the 2026–27 year. The Medicare levy is 2% of your taxable income, but if you earn below certain thresholds you may pay a reduced rate or none at all. The latest published single-person Medicare thresholds are $28,011 and $35,013. Full-time APS4 salaries are well above those, so you'll pay the full 2%.
Remember, these estimates don't include HELP/HECS repayments, the Medicare levy surcharge, or salary sacrifice. They're a resident estimate only. For a more personalised calculation, check our Tax and Medicare guide.
Super Is on Top
APS agencies pay 15.4% employer super on top of your base salary – that's higher than the 12% super guarantee that applies from 1 July 2026. So while your take-home is what you see in the bank, your total remuneration package includes that extra super contribution. For more on how super works, see our Super page.
How to Progress Within APS4
APS4 is the fourth classification below the Executive Levels. You can move up through yearly pay progression, which varies by agency – some give a pay point each year, others a percentage increase. Compare enterprise agreements to see what's on offer at your agency.
Final Thoughts
The APS4 salary offers a comfortable income that's well above the minimum wage but below the full-time average. It's a great starting point for a career in the public service, with clear progression paths and strong super benefits. Use our After-tax salary tools to see exactly what you'd take home based on your agency and pay point.
Questions
What is the APS4 salary in 2026–27?
Across the Australian Public Service, an APS4 earns between $79,322 and $91,199 a year from March 2026. Each agency sets its own pay points in its enterprise agreement. For example, the ATO pays $84,028 to $91,199, while Services Australia starts at $79,322. The Australian Bureau of Statistics pays $79,125 to $88,096.
How much does an APS4 take home after tax and Medicare?
After income tax and the Medicare levy in 2026–27, an APS4 takes home roughly $2,439 to $2,750 a fortnight. This is based on the full salary range and does not include super or allowances. The exact amount depends on your agency, pay point, and whether you have a HELP/HECS debt.
How does the APS4 salary compare to the minimum wage and full-time average?
The APS4 salary is well above the national minimum wage of $52,255 a year ($26.44 an hour, $1,004.90 a week). However, it sits below the full-time adult ordinary time earnings average of $108,352 a year. So an APS4 is a solid middle-ground role, above entry-level but not yet at the executive level.