Federal Administrative Salary Guide
Official remuneration scales, APS classification guides, and comparison tables for Australian Government administrative support and executive secretariat roles.
Source: APSC Remuneration Reports & Remuneration Tribunal Determinations · Last verified 1 July 2026
Administrative Salary Cards
The Australian Public Service classifications map specific administrative duties to predefined pay points. Select a role below to explore its deep-dive salary guide, including take-home pay estimations and agency-specific conditions:
Department Secretary
$400,000 – $620,000
First Assistant Secretary
$280,000 – $370,000
Office Manager
$88,085 – $137,900
Document Controller
$77,865 – $151,000
Company Secretary
$110,000 – $220,000
Executive Assistant
$77,865 – $118,780
Personal Assistant
$71,800 – $123,500
Business Support Officer
$71,800 – $123,500
Personal Secretary / EA
$77,865 – $118,780
HR Administrator
$77,865 – $118,780
Payroll Administrator
$67,875 – $97,400
Legal Secretary
$67,875 – $97,400
Receptionist
$54,500 – $86,500
Administrative Career Ladder
Career progression within federal administration pathways allows staff to transition from task execution (APS 1-2 Support) to confidential advisory support (Executive Assistant / Personal Secretary) and high-level statutory governance (First Assistant Secretary / Department Secretary):
Personal Secretary / EA
$77,865 – $118,780Administrative Comparison Table
| Role | APS Level Equivalent | Base Salary Range | Take Home (Mid) | Super |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department Secretary | Tribunal Determined | $400,000 – $620,000 | $11,668/fn | 15.4% |
| First Assistant Secretary | SES Band 2 | $280,000 – $370,000 | $7,897/fn | 15.4% |
| Office Manager | APS 5 – EL 1 | $88,085 – $137,900 | $3,279/fn | 15.4% |
| Document Controller | APS 4 – EL 1 | $77,865 – $151,000 | $3,316/fn | 15.4% |
| Company Secretary | Corporate / GBE | $110,000 – $220,000 | $4,558/fn | 15.4% |
| Executive Assistant | APS 4 – APS 6 | $77,865 – $118,780 | $2,895/fn | 15.4% |
| Personal Assistant | APS 3 – APS 6 | $71,800 – $123,500 | $2,877/fn | 15.4% |
| Business Support Officer | APS 3 – APS 6 | $71,800 – $123,500 | $2,877/fn | 15.4% |
| Personal Secretary / EA | APS 4 – APS 6 | $77,865 – $118,780 | $2,895/fn | 15.4% |
| HR Administrator | APS 4 – APS 6 | $77,865 – $118,780 | $2,895/fn | 15.4% |
| Payroll Administrator | APS 3 – APS 5 | $67,875 – $97,400 | $2,485/fn | 15.4% |
| Legal Secretary | APS 3 – APS 5 | $67,875 – $97,400 | $2,485/fn | 15.4% |
| Receptionist | APS 1 – APS 4 | $54,500 – $86,500 | $2,167/fn | 15.4% |
Administrative Agency Comparison
| Agency Name | Admin Officer Pay Band | WFH Arrangement | Super | Enterprise Agreement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australian Taxation Office (ATO) | $67,875 – $118,780 | Hybrid (3 days home) | 15.4% | 2024-2027 |
| Department of Defence | $66,500 – $116,200 | Hybrid (2 days home) | 15.4% | 2024-2027 |
| Department of the Treasury | $69,200 – $122,100 | Hybrid (Flexible) | 15.4% | 2024-2027 |
| Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C) | $71,100 – $124,800 | Hybrid (Flexible) | 15.4% | 2024-2027 |
| Services Australia | $65,200 – $114,800 | Subject to approval | 15.4% | 2024-2027 |
| Department of Finance | $68,500 – $120,400 | Hybrid (3 days home) | 15.4% | 2024-2027 |
| Department of Health and Aged Care | $67,100 – $118,100 | Hybrid (3 days home) | 15.4% | 2024-2027 |
| Department of Home Affairs | $66,900 – $117,800 | Hybrid (3 days home) | 15.4% | 2024-2027 |
| Department of Education | $67,300 – $118,900 | Hybrid (3 days home) | 15.4% | 2024-2027 |
Employment Benefits Overview
Generous Superannuation
15.4% employer contributions paid on top of your base salary, regardless of your super fund.
Work-Life Balance
4 weeks of annual leave plus Christmas close-down periods and flexible Executive Release for senior staff.
Hybrid Work Options
Most Commonwealth agencies support 2–3 days of working from home per week, subject to operational roles.
Leave Provisions
Comprehensive personal, maternal, paternal, and cultural leave policies mandated under EA arrangements.
Flexible Hours
Ability to access flex-time arrangements to accumulate hours and take time off in lieu (TOIL).
Salary Packaging
Pre-tax packaging options for vehicles, technology devices, and additional superannuation contributions.
Official Sources
All salary figures and conditions are compiled directly from authoritative Australian Commonwealth Government publications:
- APSC Remuneration Reports – Annual censuses of all APS classification pay points.
- Agency Enterprise Agreements – Legally binding pay structures registered with the Fair Work Commission.
- Remuneration Tribunal – Determinations specifying salaries for Secretaries and senior office holders.
- Public Service Act 1999 – Statutory framework governing appointments and duties.
- Australian Taxation Office (ATO) – Rates driving tax, HELP debt, and Super Guarantee formulas.
Calculate your exact take-home pay
Use the APS Salary Calculator to see your fortnightly take-home pay, 15.4% super, and pre-tax salary sacrifice contributions.
Open APS Salary Calculator →Data last verified 1 July 2026 · Source: APSC Remuneration Report 2025