APS EL1 Salary
The complete guide to the Executive Level 1 (EL1) pay scale, base salary ranges, take-home calculations, leadership duties, and career pathways.
EL1 Base (Min)
$120,750
EL1 Base (Max)
$143,200
Est. Fortnightly Net
$3,775
On Midpoint
Employer Super
15.4%
Paid on top
Total Package (Mid)
$152,299
Introduction
The Executive Level 1 (EL1) classification represents the entrance to middle management and senior professional leadership in the Australian Public Service (APS). Positioned directly above the standard administrative stream (APS 1 to APS 6) and below the Director tier (Executive Level 2), EL1 officers are typically appointed as Assistant Directors, Senior Managers, or Lead Subject Matter Experts.
At the EL1 level, employees transition from working under general direction to operating with significant autonomy, taking direct responsibility for section outputs, stakeholder relations, and regulatory governance. Because of its critical role as the gateway to public sector management, the “APS EL1 salary” is highly searched by senior professionals in the private sector seeking stability, as well as experienced APS 6 officers aiming for their next career milestone.
EL1 Salary Range
Under current determinations, the base salary range for an EL1 officer spans from a minimum of $120,750 to a maximum of $143,200.
These figures represent the base salary before statutory deductions like income tax and the Medicare levy. Like all APS positions, base salaries are exclusive of employer superannuation.
Remuneration Breakdown (Based on Midpoint of $131,975)
- Annual Base Salary: $131,975
- Employer Superannuation (15.4%): $20,324 per year (paid directly to your fund, not deducted from base)
- Total Remuneration Package: $152,299
- Estimated Net Take-Home (Annual): $98,150 (assuming resident tax rates, standard Medicare levy, and no HECS debt)
- Fortnightly Take-Home: $3,775
* To estimate your personalized net salary including HECS debt or salary packaging, try the APS Salary Calculator.
Exact pay points depend heavily on the agency Enterprise Agreement (EA). Major administrative bodies (such as the ATO, Services Australia, and the Department of Defence) negotiate independent salary schedules, which leads to slight variations. Policy departments (such as Treasury or DPMC) may offer different structures. However, these baseline averages serve as a highly accurate federal indicator.
What Does an EL1 Do?
An EL1 officer operates with substantial independence and holds accountability for driving policy, project, or operational section outcomes. Key responsibilities include:
- Team Leadership: Leading, motivating, and managing multidisciplinary teams. This includes mentoring junior staff (APS 1 to APS 6), coordinating workloads, managing performance reviews, and supporting career development.
- Policy Leadership: Directing policy research and development, synthesizing complex socioeconomic data, and drafting key ministerial correspondence, briefs, and policy submissions.
- Program Management: Managing program delivery structures, managing timelines, budgets, and project risks, and evaluating organizational program outcomes.
- Strategic Advice: Providing high-level advice to Directors (EL2) and Senior Executive Service (SES) officers on policy, technical, and operational issues.
- Budget Responsibility: Coordinating allocation and tracking of local operational budgets, contract management, and vendor negotiations.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Managing relations with key external stakeholders, negotiating agreements, and representing the agency in public or inter-departmental committees.
Skills Required
To succeed at the EL1 level, an officer must demonstrate capabilities defined by the APSC Integrated Leadership System (ILS) for the Executive Stream:
- Leadership: Guiding team directions, modeling public service integrity, resolving team conflicts, and driving organizational culture.
- Communication: Translating complex legislative issues into clear advice, negotiating outcomes, and presenting briefs to senior executives.
- Strategic Thinking: Aligning local team tasks with agency-wide strategic goals and understanding broader government priorities.
- Financial Management: Directing small team budgets, managing contract deliverables, and ensuring public sector financial compliance.
- Policy Development: Synthesizing regulatory information, identifying policy options, and formulating evidence-based solutions.
- Project Management: Overseeing project deliverables, allocating team resources, and mitigating program risks under tight timeframes.
EL1 Salary Progression
Advancement across the EL1 pay scale occurs through:
- Annual Increments: Most agencies have 3 to 4 pay steps within the EL1 band. Progression to the next step is based on a successful annual performance review.
- Enterprise Agreement Bumps: Annual economic adjustments (historically 3% to 4%) apply across all salary steps in accordance with agency enterprise bargaining.
- Performance Expectations: Executive level staff are held to high performance metrics. Underperformance can delay increment progression or prompt structured review processes.
- Promotion Opportunities: Moving from EL1 to EL2 (Director) is not automatic and requires applying for a vacant EL2 position through a competitive merit-based process.
EL1 vs APS 6
Stepping from APS 6 to EL1 represents the key transition from senior operational contributor to executive manager:
| Feature | APS 6 | EL1 (Executive Level 1) |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Salary | $100,190 – $118,780 | $120,750 – $143,200 |
| Leadership | Manages small operational work units or guides projects. | Leads multidisciplinary sections, manages recruitment, and coordinates budgets. |
| Strategic Role | Contributes research and analysis to support strategic policy. | Defines section strategy, briefs executives, and holds accountability for outputs. |
| Decision-Making | Exercises standard delegated authority and resolves operational cases. | Exercises significant delegated authority, interprets legislation, and resolves escalation. |
EL1 vs EL2
Moving from EL1 to EL2 (Director) is a transition to large-scale program governance and ultimate line responsibility:
| Feature | EL1 (Assistant Director) | EL2 (Director) |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Salary | $120,750 – $143,200 | $150,800 – $182,500 |
| Team Size | Manages small sections (typically 3 to 10 staff). | Directs entire branches or multiple teams (typically 10 to 40+ staff). |
| Budget | Controls local operational expenditures and minor contracts. | Holds ultimate accountability for major program budgets and vendor contracts. |
| Strategic Influence | Feeds tactical outputs up to support strategic decisions. | Directly drives agency strategy and reports to SES and Ministers. |
Promotion to EL1
Advancing to the EL1 tier requires completing a formal competitive merit-based selection process:
- Statement of Claims (Pitch): Applications require a detailed pitch showing how your experience and achievements demonstrate the ILS capabilities for the Executive Level stream.
- Demonstrated Capability: Panels look for evidence of leadership, independent problem-solving, strategic project management, and successful stakeholder negotiation.
- Interview Expectations: Interviews utilize behavioral questions (e.g., STAR method) where you must explain complex leadership scenarios, conflict resolution, and strategic decision outcomes.
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 EL1 salary?
The base salary range for an Executive Level 1 (EL1) officer typically ranges from $120,750 to $143,200 per year, depending on the agency Enterprise Agreement. Employer superannuation (15.4%) is paid additionally.
Is EL1 higher than APS6?
Yes, EL1 is the classification directly above APS 6. It represents the transition from the standard administrative stream to the executive middle-management stream.
Is EL1 considered management?
Yes, EL1 (typically Assistant Director or Senior Manager) is middle management. It involves supervising staff, directing program delivery, and managing local budgets.
How difficult is it to become EL1?
Becoming an EL1 requires demonstrating capability in strategic policy, financial management, and leadership. Selection processes are competitive and strictly merit-based.
Can EL1 become EL2?
Yes. EL1 to EL2 (Director) is a standard career path. It requires applying for an open EL2 vacancy and demonstrating advanced strategic governance and large-scale management.
Which agencies hire EL1 employees?
All federal departments and agencies employ EL1 personnel. Major cohorts are hired in service-delivery hubs (Services Australia, ATO) and large operational departments (Defence, Home Affairs).
Related Pages
Calculate your exact EL1 take-home pay
Use the calculator to estimate your fortnightly take-home pay, HECS/HELP debt repayments, and salary packaging deductions as an EL1.
Open APS Salary Calculator →Data sourced from APSC Remuneration Report. Last verified 1 July 2026.