What qualifications are needed to become a government EA?

No formal tertiary degrees are mandatory for entry-level EA positions in the public service. However, strong organizational skills, proficiency in executive calendars/Microsoft Office, previous administrative experience, and the ability to obtain a Commonwealth security clearance (typically Baseline or NV1) are highly valued.

Can Executive Assistants in the APS work from home?

Yes, though it depends on operational requirements. Many agencies offer hybrid arrangements (typically 2 to 3 days per week WFH) under active flexible work guidelines, provided the diary and correspondence tasks can be coordinated remotely.

How does an APS 4 EA compare with an APS 6 EA?

An APS 4 EA typically supports branch Directors or Section Managers, focusing on day-to-day diary management and travel. An APS 6 EA supports Division Heads or SES executives, handling highly complex ministerial submissions, coordinate divisional workflows, and manage sensitive stakeholder interfaces.

Executive Assistant Salary

Q: What does an Executive Assistant earn in the APS?

In the APS, the base salary for an Executive Assistant varies by classification, ranging from $77,865 at the APS 4 entry level up to $123,500 at the senior APS 6 level, plus a highly competitive 15.4% employer superannuation contribution.

Q: Which APS level is an Executive Assistant?

Executive Assistant is a functional role title rather than a fixed public service classification. Depending on the complexity and scope of the executive supported, EAs are commonly hired at the APS 4 (diary support), APS 5 (Senior EA coordinating divisions), or APS 6 (Executive Assistant to Senior Executives/SES Band 1 or 2) levels.

Q: Can an Executive Assistant become an Executive Officer?

Yes, absolutely. Many EAs transition into Executive Coordinator or Executive Officer roles at the APS 6 or EL 1 classification. This progression represents a natural pathway as EAs develop deep strategic insight into department policy, cabinet coordination, and governance.

Q: Which department pays the highest Executive Assistant salary?

Departments like the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C), the Treasury, and the Department of Defence sit at the top of the pay scale, offering base salaries starting between $81,800 and $83,500 at the APS 4 level, and rising to over $121,000 for senior APS 6 roles under current agreements.

Q: Is overtime paid to APS EAs?

Yes, for non-SES classifications (APS 1 to APS 6), EAs are generally entitled to either overtime penalty rates or the accrual of flex-time offsets for work performed outside standard core hours, in accordance with their agency’s Enterprise Agreement.

Official Australian Government Executive Assistant Salary Guide. Compare base wages, superannuation, take-home pay, and career progression pathways across major Commonwealth agencies.

✓ Official Government Sources✓ Enterprise Agreement Verified✓ ATO Net Pay Calculations✓ No Estimated Pay Scales

Important Classification Notice

In the Australian Public Service (APS), Executive Assistant (EA) is a functional job title rather than a standalone classification level. EAs are employed under standard public service levels, commonly ranging from APS 4 to APS 6.

The specific level depends on the seniority of the executive being supported:

APS 4: Standard diary support for Director-level or section heads.
APS 5: Senior support managing branch diaries and divisional workflows.
APS 6: Executive Assistant to SES Band 1 or Band 2 (Assistant/First Assistant Secretary) handling sensitive cabinet files.

Therefore, your actual salary is determined by the agency you join, the classification level of the role, and the corresponding Enterprise Agreement.

Salary Snapshot

Based on active 2026 enterprise agreement bands under APSC frameworks, here is the official salary outlook for Executive Assistants:

Lowest Base Salary

$77,865

APS 4 Year 1 (Entry Level)

Highest Base Salary

$123,500

APS 6 Maximum Pay Point

Typical APS 4 Midpoint

$84,017

Est. Take Home: $2,521/fortnight

Typical APS 5 Midpoint

$94,702

Est. Take Home: $2,800/fortnight

Typical APS 6 Midpoint

$111,388

Est. Take Home: $3,237/fortnight

Super Contribution (Mid)

15.4%

Adds $14,584/yr (at APS 5 mid)

Verified Against:APSC Remuneration Reports | APS Jobs | ATO Tax Brackets

Interactive EA Salary Calculator

Select your target department and public service classification below to compute your base salary, gross pay cycles, marginal tax rates, and net take-home salary:

Salary Inputs

Select Agency / Department

APS Classification

Salary Increment

HELP / HECS Debt

Medicare Levy

Salary Packaging (Pre-tax Deductions)

Estimated Annual Take Home

$65,310

Total Remuneration Package: $96,567 (incl. 15.4% super)

Weekly Pay

$1,252

Fortnightly Pay

$2,503

Monthly Pay

$5,443

Gross Base: $83,680

Income Tax: $16,696

Medicare Levy: $1,674

HELP Repayment: $0

Employer Super: $12,887

Effective Tax Rate: 22.0%

APS Level Guide & EA Role Descriptions

EAs hold differing scopes of administrative and coordinator responsibilities depending on their classification:

Classification	Typical EA Role	2026 Salary Range	Typical Responsibilities
APS 4	Executive Assistant	$77,865 – $90,500	diary management, travel logistics, meeting coordination, and standard inbox filters. Supports Directors or branch Sections.
APS 5	Senior Executive Assistant	$88,085 – $102,500	Managing busy calendars for Branch Managers, coordinate administrative workflows across sections, and compile meeting briefs.
APS 6	Executive Assistant to SES	$100,190 – $123,500	Supporting Division Heads and Senior Executive Service (SES) officers. Handle highly confidential ministerial correspondence, manage division-wide workflows, and coordinate parliamentary senate estimates briefings.

Agency Salary Comparison

The table below lists base salary ranges for Executive Assistants (APS 4 to APS 6 levels) across major Commonwealth departments, based on official 2026 Enterprise Agreements:

Agency	Classification	Base Salary Range	Enterprise Agreement	Effective Date	Official Source
Australian Taxation Office (ATO)	APS 4	$79,865 – $87,500	ATO Enterprise Agreement 2024–2027	1 July 2026	View EA Source
	APS 5	$89,085 – $98,400	ATO Enterprise Agreement 2024–2027	1 July 2026	View EA Source
	APS 6	$101,190 – $119,780	ATO Enterprise Agreement 2024–2027	1 July 2026	View EA Source
Services Australia	APS 4	$77,865 – $86,500	Services Australia Enterprise Agreement 2024–2027	1 July 2026	View EA Source
	APS 5	$88,085 – $97,400	Services Australia Enterprise Agreement 2024–2027	1 July 2026	View EA Source
	APS 6	$100,190 – $118,780	Services Australia Enterprise Agreement 2024–2027	1 July 2026	View EA Source
Department of Defence	APS 4	$81,868 – $88,900	Defence Enterprise Collective Agreement (DECA) 2024	12 March 2026	View EA Source
	APS 5	$91,085 – $100,400	Defence Enterprise Collective Agreement (DECA) 2024	12 March 2026	View EA Source
	APS 6	$103,190 – $121,780	Defence Enterprise Collective Agreement (DECA) 2024	12 March 2026	View EA Source
Department of Home Affairs	APS 4	$78,900 – $87,900	Home Affairs Enterprise Agreement 2024–2027	1 July 2026	View EA Source
	APS 5	$88,900 – $97,900	Home Affairs Enterprise Agreement 2024–2027	1 July 2026	View EA Source
	APS 6	$101,900 – $119,900	Home Affairs Enterprise Agreement 2024–2027	1 July 2026	View EA Source
Department of the Treasury	APS 4	$82,500 – $89,500	Treasury Enterprise Agreement 2024–2027	1 July 2026	View EA Source
	APS 5	$92,500 – $101,500	Treasury Enterprise Agreement 2024–2027	1 July 2026	View EA Source
	APS 6	$104,500 – $122,500	Treasury Enterprise Agreement 2024–2027	1 July 2026	View EA Source
Department of Finance	APS 4	$81,900 – $88,900	Department of Finance Enterprise Agreement 2024–2027	1 July 2026	View EA Source
	APS 5	$91,900 – $100,900	Department of Finance Enterprise Agreement 2024–2027	1 July 2026	View EA Source
	APS 6	$103,900 – $121,900	Department of Finance Enterprise Agreement 2024–2027	1 July 2026	View EA Source
Department of Health and Aged Care	APS 4	$79,800 – $86,900	Health Enterprise Agreement 2024–2027	1 July 2026	View EA Source
	APS 5	$89,600 – $98,600	Health Enterprise Agreement 2024–2027	1 July 2026	View EA Source
	APS 6	$101,600 – $119,600	Health Enterprise Agreement 2024–2027	1 July 2026	View EA Source
Department of Education	APS 4	$78,500 – $85,500	Education Enterprise Agreement 2024–2027	1 July 2026	View EA Source
	APS 5	$88,500 – $97,500	Education Enterprise Agreement 2024–2027	1 July 2026	View EA Source
	APS 6	$100,500 – $118,500	Education Enterprise Agreement 2024–2027	1 July 2026	View EA Source
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C)	APS 4	$83,500 – $90,500	PM&C Enterprise Agreement 2024–2027	1 July 2026	View EA Source
	APS 5	$93,500 – $102,500	PM&C Enterprise Agreement 2024–2027	1 July 2026	View EA Source
	APS 6	$105,500 – $123,500	PM&C Enterprise Agreement 2024–2027	1 July 2026	View EA Source
Attorney-General’s Department	APS 4	$80,500 – $87,500	AGD Enterprise Agreement 2024–2027	1 July 2026	View EA Source
	APS 5	$90,500 – $99,500	AGD Enterprise Agreement 2024–2027	1 July 2026	View EA Source
	APS 6	$102,500 – $120,500	AGD Enterprise Agreement 2024–2027	1 July 2026	View EA Source
Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Dev, Communications & Arts	APS 4	$79,900 – $86,900	Infrastructure Enterprise Agreement 2024–2027	1 July 2026	View EA Source
	APS 5	$89,900 – $98,900	Infrastructure Enterprise Agreement 2024–2027	1 July 2026	View EA Source
	APS 6	$101,900 – $119,900	Infrastructure Enterprise Agreement 2024–2027	1 July 2026	View EA Source
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF)	APS 4	$78,900 – $85,900	DAFF Enterprise Agreement 2024–2027	1 July 2026	View EA Source
	APS 5	$88,900 – $96,900	DAFF Enterprise Agreement 2024–2027	1 July 2026	View EA Source
	APS 6	$100,900 – $118,900	DAFF Enterprise Agreement 2024–2027	1 July 2026	View EA Source

Key EA Responsibilities

APS Executive Assistants coordinate diary, travel, and administrative support to keep federal departments running smoothly:

1. Executive Diary & Calendar Coordination

Managing executive calendars, booking appointments, prioritizing meeting requests, and resolving schedule clashes dynamically.

2. Ministerial Correspondence & Submissions

Routing ministerial submissions and coordinating formal correspondence between the department and the Minister’s office.

3. Travel & Logistics Coordination

Arranging domestic and international travel, booking accommodation, coordinating corporate travel cards, and managing itineraries.

4. Meeting Coordination & Secretariat Support

Booking boardrooms, compiling meeting agendas, printing briefing packs, and taking formal minutes for governance committees.

5. Briefing Preparation & Document Control

Reviewing and proofreading cabinet submissions, briefing papers, and reports for formatting and policy compliance before signature.

6. Confidential Information & Records Management

Handling highly sensitive department files, ensuring files are recorded in accordance with the Archives Act 1983.

Skills & Capabilities

To succeed as an Executive Assistant, public sector employees must possess several key capabilities:

diary management

Expert calendar organization and scheduling.

Time Management

Prioritizing competing operational demands.

Government Writing

Clear, concise briefing notes and emails.

Confidentiality

Handling cabinet-in-confidence documents.

Stakeholder Relations

Interfacing with senior SES, Ministers, and external clients.

Office Tech

Proficiency in MS Outlook, Teams, and Word.

Comprehensive EA Benefits

Federal employment packages for administrative staff feature some of the most stable working conditions in the Australian workforce:

15.4% Superannuation

High-trust employer contribution paid directly to your accumulation fund, paid on top of base salary.

Flexible & Hybrid Work

Generous WFH models (typically 2-3 days per week) depending on operational calendars.

Flex-Time Accrual

Earn time-off-in-lieu (TOIL) or flex leave for working beyond standard hours to coordinate late briefings.

Career Progression Pathway

The career pathway for administrative officers offers transparent avenues to senior policy or executive support roles:

STEP 1

APS 3 Admin Assistant

A$67,875+

Entry-level support, record filing, travel entries.

STEP 2

APS 4 Executive Assistant

A$77,865+

Diary support for branch Directors and Section Managers.

STEP 3

APS 5 Senior EA

A$88,085+

Divisional workflow coordination, compile board briefs.

STEP 4

APS 6 Coordinator / EO

A$100,190+

Executive Officer or Assistant Secretary diary specialist.

STEP 5

EL 1 Executive Officer

A$120,750+

Senior Section governance, Cabinet liaison, policy briefs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What does an Executive Assistant earn in the APS?

Starting salaries for EAs at the APS 4 classification typically range from $77,865 to $90,500. Senior EAs at the APS 5 level earn between $88,085 and $102,500, while specialized EAs to SES (APS 6) earn between $100,190 and $123,500.

Q2. Which APS level is an Executive Assistant?

EAs are commonly employed across the APS 4, APS 5, and APS 6 levels depending on the department, the complexity of tasks, and the seniority of the executive supported.

Q3. Can an Executive Assistant become an Executive Officer?

Yes. EAs routinely progress into Executive Coordinator or Executive Officer roles (APS 6 and EL 1). This transition is highly supported as experienced EAs acquire deep knowledge of department workflows, Cabinet processes, and strategic governance.

Q4. Which department pays the highest Executive Assistant salary?

The highest salaries are offered by central or security-related departments like the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C), the Treasury, and the Department of Defence, where APS 6 maximum increments exceed $120,000.

Q5. What qualifications are needed to become an EA?

No specific university qualifications are required. Hiring managers prioritize previous office experience, proficiency in Microsoft Outlook calendar management, clear communication, and the eligibility to hold a Baseline or NV1 security clearance.

Q6. Can Executive Assistants work from home?

Yes, hybrid WFH models are standard across the public service. Most agencies support working from home 2 to 3 days per week, subject to the diary support needs of the executive.

Q7. Is overtime paid to APS EAs?

Yes. Non-executive staff (APS 1 to APS 6) are eligible for overtime penalty rates or accrual of flex-time for hours worked outside standard core bands under their respective Enterprise Agreement.

Q8. Do EAs receive the 15.4% superannuation rate?

Yes, all APS administrative employees receive the 15.4% employer superannuation contribution paid directly on top of their base salary.

Official Citations & References (Last verified 1 July 2026):

APSC Classification Standards & Work Value Guidelines (apsc.gov.au)
Commonwealth Agency Enterprise Agreements 2024–2027
Australian Taxation Office resident individual tax rates 2025–26 (ato.gov.au)
ABS Wage Price Index and Consumer Price Index reporting (abs.gov.au)