Your APS5 salary: gross pay, super, and what lands in your bank account

Your APS5 salary: gross pay, super, and what lands in your bank account

If you're looking at Australian Public Service (APS) jobs, you'll see salaries quoted as a yearly figure. But what you actually take home after tax and the Medicare levy can be quite different. This guide unpacks the aps5 salary – the fifth classification below executive levels – and clears up common mix-ups between gross salary, total package, and take-home pay.

What is an APS5 salary?

The APS5 classification sits between APS4 and APS6. According to the ATO careers page, APS5 salaries range from $93,676 to $99,307 at the ATO, with similar ranges at other agencies . A detailed breakdown from shows that the lowest starting APS5 salary is $88,834 at Services Australia and Home Affairs, while the highest pay point is $99,307 at the ATO . Each agency negotiates its own enterprise agreement, so the exact figure depends on where you work and your pay point.

Gross salary vs. total package

A common confusion is thinking the advertised salary is your total cost to the employer. For APS roles, the employer also pays 15.4% superannuation on top of your base salary. So if your aps5 salary is $95,000, your employer actually contributes about $14,630 in super, making your total remuneration package around $109,630. That super is not deducted from your pay – it's additional money paid into your super fund. When you see a job ad saying "$95,000 + 15.4% super", the $95,000 is your gross salary, and the super is extra.

From gross to take-home

Your take-home pay is what lands in your bank account after the Australian Taxation Office withholds income tax and the Medicare levy. For 2026–27, the tax rates are:

• Up to $18,200: nil
• $18,201 to $45,000: 15c per $1 over $18,200
• $45,001 to $135,000: $4,020 plus 30c per $1 over $45,000
• $135,001 to $190,000: $31,020 plus 37c per $1 over $135,000
• Over $190,000: $51,370 plus 45c per $1 over $190,000

You also get the Low Income Tax Offset (LITO) if eligible, which can reduce your tax. The Medicare levy is 2% of your taxable income, unless you're on a low income. The latest single-person Medicare thresholds are $28,011 and $35,013 – if you earn below $28,011 you pay no levy; between $28,011 and $35,013 you pay a reduced rate; above $35,013 you pay the full 2%.

For an APS5 salary in the $88,834 to $99,307 range, you'll pay the full 2% Medicare levy. After tax and levy, your fortnightly take-home is approximately $2,688 to $2,962, according to . That's based on 26 fortnights per year.

Why the mix-up matters

If you're comparing job offers, you need to look at the base salary first, then add super to see the total package. Don't assume the advertised figure is what you'll have to spend. Also, remember that your take-home is lower than your gross because of tax and Medicare. A common mistake is to budget based on gross salary – that can leave you short. Use a Take-home pay calculator to estimate your actual bank deposits.

APS5 salary progression

Within the APS5 classification, you can move up pay points through yearly progression. Some agencies give a fixed increment each year, others a percentage increase. The exact progression is set out in each agency's enterprise agreement. Over time, your aps5 salary can increase to the top of the band, which at the ATO is $99,307.

Key takeaways

• APS5 salaries range from about $88,834 to $99,307 depending on agency.
• Employer super of 15.4% is paid on top – not deducted from your salary.
• Your fortnightly take-home after tax and Medicare is roughly $2,688 to $2,962.
• Always compare base salaries, not total packages, when evaluating job offers.

For more on how your pay compares to other roles, see our Roles guide. And if you're unsure about tax and Medicare, check our Tax and Medicare page.

Resident estimate only. Excludes HELP/HECS, the Medicare levy surcharge, salary sacrifice, and payroll tax-table rounding. Not an assessment.