Typical APS 5 roles include Policy Officers, Research Officers, Business Analysts, Communications Specialists, HR Advisors, and Senior Client Service Officers.

Does an APS 5 supervise staff?

Generally no. While an APS 5 may occasionally guide or mentor junior staff (such as graduates or trainees) and provide project support, they rarely have formal ongoing supervisory responsibilities. Supervisory roles usually commence at the APS 6 level.

APS 5 Salary

Q: Is APS 5 a senior position?

No, APS 5 is an intermediate-level classification. It represents experienced, independent individual contributors who work under general direction. It sits above the entry and service delivery levels (APS 1 to APS 4) and below the senior operational level (APS 6).

Q: How do I get promoted to APS 6?

Promotion to APS 6 requires applying for a vacant position through a competitive merit-based recruitment process. You must demonstrate strategic alignment, leadership capabilities, and technical expertise satisfying the APSC work value standards for the higher level.

Q: Which agencies hire APS 5 employees?

All federal departments and agencies employ APS 5 staff. This includes the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), Services Australia, Department of Defence, Department of Home Affairs, NDIA, and policy bodies like Treasury.

The complete guide to the APS Level 5 pay scale, base salary ranges, take-home calculations, intermediate duties, and career pathways.

APS 5 Base (Min)

$88,085

APS 5 Base (Max)

$97,400

Est. Fortnightly Net

$2,749

On Midpoint

Employer Super

15.4%

Paid on top

Total Package (Mid)

$107,025

Introduction

The APS Level 5 (APS 5) classification represents the core intermediate professional tier in the APS classification system. Within the public service hierarchy, an APS 5 officer is an experienced individual contributor who operates with moderate independence under general direction. It is a vital level, serving as the bridge between basic service delivery roles (APS 1 to APS 4) and senior professional/technical specialist positions (APS 6).

Because the APS 5 level represents a key professional entry point for individuals entering from the private sector or advancing from entry-level administrative positions, understanding its compensation structure is essential. The “APS 5 salary” attracts significant attention because of the combination of a competitive base pay, a robust superannuation package, and excellent progression opportunities. This guide provides a detailed analysis of the APS 5 salary, core capabilities, comparison with adjacent levels, and progression structures.

APS 5 Salary Range

For the current financial year, the base salary range for an APS 5 spans from a minimum of $88,085 to a maximum of $97,400.

These figures represent the base salary before statutory deductions like income tax and the Medicare levy. Stated base salaries are exclusive of employer superannuation.

Remuneration Breakdown (Based on Midpoint of $92,743)

Annual Base Salary: $92,743
Employer Superannuation (15.4%): $14,282 per year (paid directly to your fund, not deducted from base)
Total Remuneration Package: $107,025
Estimated Net Take-Home (Annual): $71,473 (assuming resident tax rates, standard Medicare levy, and no HECS debt)
Fortnightly Take-Home: $2,749

* To estimate your personalized net salary including HECS debt or salary packaging, try the APS Salary Calculator.

Exact pay scales depend on your agency’s negotiated Enterprise Agreement (EA). Major agencies like the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), Services Australia, and the Department of Defence negotiate their own salary bands, leading to minor variations. However, the averages outlined here are a highly reliable federal baseline.

APS 5 Responsibilities

An APS 5 officer is expected to take responsibility for managing operational or project work. Under general direction, typical duties include:

Managing Operational Work: Running day-to-day administrative or project-related processes, ensuring outputs align with legislative requirements and team goals.
Preparing Reports and Briefs: Drafting correspondence, simple policy briefings, performance reports, and ministerial documentation for executive review.
Stakeholder Communication: Responding to client inquiries, managing external vendor relationships, and representing the team in meetings.
Policy Implementation: Applying agency guidelines and legislative policies to casework, compliance actions, or community support programs.
Project Support: Coordinating administrative logistics for programs, tracking milestones, and maintaining project registries.
Mentoring Junior Staff: Assisting in the training and guidance of entry-level personnel (APS 1 to APS 4) or graduates on rotation.

APS 5 Skills

Success at the APS 5 level requires demonstrating core professional capabilities aligned with APSC expectations:

Communication: Ability to draft clear, structured written documents and communicate effectively with colleagues and external stakeholders.
Analysis: Conducting research, compiling data, and assessing options to make logical, evidence-based recommendations.
Time Management: Prioritizing task delivery, managing competing deadlines, and keeping managers informed of project delays.
Problem-Solving: Identifying operational issues, researching alternatives, and proposing practical solutions to supervisors.
Team Collaboration: Supporting a positive team culture, sharing resources, and collaborating across sections to achieve deliverables.
Attention to Detail: Reviewing data entries, maintaining legislative databases, and verifying documentation accuracy.

APS 5 Salary Progression

Progression through the pay scale at the APS 5 level is driven by:

Within-Band Pay Increments: The APS 5 band consists of multiple pay points. Subject to satisfactory performance assessments, employees advance one step (e.g., from step 1 to step 2) on 1 July annually.
Enterprise Bargaining Bumps: Agency agreements mandate annual salary percentage increases (typically 3% to 4%) across all levels to match standard economic adjustments.
Competitive Promotions: To move into the APS 6 salary band, you must apply for a vacant position through a competitive merit-based recruitment process.

APS 5 vs APS 4

Moving from APS 4 to APS 5 represents a shift from supervised administrative execution to independent specialist operations:

Feature	APS 4	APS 5
Typical Salary	$77,865 – $86,500	$88,085 – $97,400
Independence	Works under moderate direction; follows detailed standard procedures.	Works under general direction; exercises considerable professional independence.
Complexity	Routine operational processes and customer support.	Moderately complex policy work, analysis, and project operations.
Experience	Entry to intermediate operational knowledge.	Proven intermediate subject matter expertise or policy background.
Decision-Making	Escalates standard anomalies to team leaders.	Resolves moderate anomalies based on legislative interpretations.

APS 5 vs APS 6

The transition from APS 5 to APS 6 requires demonstrating strategic leadership and advanced technical capabilities:

Feature	APS 5	APS 6
Typical Salary	$88,085 – $97,400	$100,190 – $118,780
Leadership	Individual contributor; mentors graduates or junior staff.	Directly supervises staff and leads operational or policy sections.
Responsibility	Manages moderately complex task lines and draft briefings.	Manages highly complex files and leads client or project negotiations.
Technical Expertise	Intermediate analytical skills and policy expertise.	Senior specialist or expert policy adviser within the section.

Promotion from APS 5

Advancing your career from an APS 5 to an APS 6 classification requires participating in a formal, merit-based selection process:

Merit Selection Campaign: You must apply for an open APS 6 position. This involves writing a structured pitch (often a one-page statement of claims) linking your achievements to the ILS criteria.
Skills Development: Focus on demonstrating leadership experience, such as volunteering to manage sections during director leave, coordinating cross-team projects, or mentoring new staff.
Building Strategic Capabilities: Understand the strategic objectives of your agency, showing how your technical contributions align with broader federal government goals.

Comprehensive Benefits

Remuneration packages in the public service are backed by some of the most stable and progressive employment conditions in Australia:

15.4% Superannuation: High-trust employer contribution paid directly to your accumulation fund, paid on top of base salary.
Flexible Work: Strong support for hybrid WFH arrangements, part-time opportunities, and job-sharing options.
Leave Benefits: Generous leave packages, including 4 weeks of annual leave, 15 to 18 days of personal/sick leave, and paid parental leave.
Professional Development: Access to funded certifications, agency-sponsored training (APSC Academy), and study assistance (reimbursements and paid study leave).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the APS 5 salary?

The base salary range for an APS 5 officer typically ranges from $88,085 to $97,400 per year, depending on the agency Enterprise Agreement. Employer superannuation (15.4%) is paid additionally.

What jobs are APS 5?

Common APS 5 roles include policy officers, research officers, data analysts, human resources advisors, communications specialists, and senior client contact managers.

Is APS 5 a senior position?

No, the APS 5 is an intermediate professional classification. It sits above the administrative support tiers (APS 1–4) and below the senior professional/management tier (APS 6).

How do I get promoted to APS 6?

Promotion is based on merit. You must formally apply for a vacant APS 6 position, submit a written pitch linking your background to APSC capabilities, and pass an interview panel process.

Does APS 5 supervise staff?

Typically no. APS 5 officers operate as individual contributors. While they may mentor graduates or help train newer staff, formal supervisory duties are normally reserved for APS 6 and above.

Which agencies hire APS 5 employees?

Every federal department and agency hires APS 5 staff. The largest cohorts are employed in service-delivery hubs (Services Australia, ATO) and large operational departments (Defence, Home Affairs).

Calculate your exact APS 5 take-home pay

Use the calculator to estimate your fortnightly take-home pay, HECS/HELP debt repayments, and salary packaging deductions as an APS 5.

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Data sourced from APSC Remuneration Report. Last verified 1 July 2026.