What is the APS6 salary range for 2026?

According to the Australian Taxation Office's enterprise agreement, the APS6 salary range from 12 March 2026 is $101,142 to $116,131 per annum, depending on the increment step. These rates reflect a 3.4% increase from the previous year. The ATO is a reliable source for public sector pay, and these figures are often used as a benchmark for APS6 roles across the Australian Public Service.

How do I calculate my hourly rate from an APS6 annual salary?

Divide the annual salary by the number of hours worked per year. Assuming a standard 38-hour week and 52 weeks, that is 1,976 hours. For example, an APS6 salary of $101,142 per year gives an hourly rate of about $51.20 ($101,142 ÷ 1,976). The top increment of $116,131 gives about $58.80 per hour. This calculation assumes no unpaid overtime or penalty rates.

Does the APS6 salary include superannuation?

No, the APS6 salary figures from the ATO enterprise agreement are base salary before superannuation. The super guarantee is 12% of ordinary earnings, paid on top of the salary, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. For an APS6 employee earning $101,142, the employer would contribute an additional $12,137 per year in super, making the total remuneration package approximately $113,279.

APS6 Salary in 2026: Hourly to Annual Conversion Guide

For a 38-hour week, an APS6 salary from the ATO enterprise agreement ranges from approximately $51.20 to $58.80 per hour, or $101,142 to $116,131 per year.

Understanding the APS6 Salary and Hourly Conversion

If you're looking at an APS6 salary – whether from a job advertisement or an enterprise agreement – the first step is understanding how that annual figure translates into an hourly rate, a fortnightly pay, and what you actually take home after tax and super. This guide uses the Australian Taxation Office's enterprise agreement rates for 2026, which are a solid reference for public sector pay, and explains the conversion using a standard 38-hour week.

How to Convert an Hourly Rate to Annual Pay

The basic formula is: annual gross pay = hourly rate × hours per week × 52. We assume a 38-hour week because that is the standard full-time week under most modern awards and the National Employment Standards. For example, if you have an hourly rate of $51.20, your annual pay would be $51.20 × 38 × 52 = $101,171 (close to the ATO's APS6 base of $101,142). The small difference comes from rounding.

To go the other way – from annual to hourly – divide the annual salary by 1,976 (38 × 52). The ATO's APS6 salary range from 12 March 2026 is $101,142 to $116,131 per annum. That gives hourly rates of roughly $51.20 to $58.80. These rates are for full-time employees and do not include casual loading or superannuation.

The Fortnightly Perspective

Many Australians are paid fortnightly. To find your gross fortnightly pay, multiply your weekly pay by 2. For an APS6 employee on $101,142 per year, weekly pay is $1,945 (annual ÷ 52), so fortnightly is $3,890. The ATO enterprise agreement also lists workplace responsibility allowances paid per fortnight, such as $32.75 for a first aid officer. Knowing your fortnightly figure helps with budgeting and comparing job offers.

Minimum Wage, Awards, and Casual Loading

It's important to distinguish between the National Minimum Wage, award rates, and enterprise agreement rates. From 1 July 2026, the National Minimum Wage is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for 38 hours. That is the legal floor. Most employees are covered by a modern award, which sets higher minimum rates for specific industries and roles. The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes pay guides for each award, and the Fair Work Commission maintains the Modern Awards Pay Database with detailed rates.

Casual employees receive a 25% loading on top of the base hourly rate. For the National Minimum Wage, that means $33.05 per hour. The loading compensates for not receiving paid leave. When using our timesheet, you can check a box to add the 25% casual loading on top of the base rate you enter – never type a rate that already includes loading.

Tax and Superannuation Considerations

Your take-home pay depends on tax and the Medicare levy. For 2026–27, the resident tax rates are: nil up to $18,200; 15% from $18,201 to $45,000; 30% from $45,001 to $135,000; 37% from $135,001 to $190,000; and 45% above $190,000. The Medicare levy is generally 2% of taxable income. For an APS6 employee earning $101,142, the estimated tax (using the full tax-free threshold) would be approximately $24,967 plus Medicare of $2,023, leaving a take-home of about $74,152 per year. See our take-home pay for a more detailed breakdown.

Superannuation is paid on top of your base salary. The super guarantee is 12% of ordinary earnings, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. For an APS6 salary of $101,142, the employer contributes an extra $12,137 per year. That brings total remuneration to $113,279. Super is not deducted from your pay; it goes into a super fund. Learn more about super and packaging.

Using the Timesheet Tool

Our timesheet, the home page, lets you type your base hourly rate and see the annual, fortnightly, and weekly equivalents. It applies the formula above and includes a checkbox for casual loading. The results are estimates – they assume the same rate every week, no unpaid overtime, no penalty rates, and no salary sacrifice. Always check your specific award or enterprise agreement for exact conditions. The Fair Work Ombudsman's pay guides are the best place to confirm minimum rates for your classification.

For more context on how your pay compares nationally, the Australian Bureau of Statistics reports average weekly earnings. In May 2026, full-time adult ordinary time earnings were $2,083.70 per week. That is higher than the APS6 base, reflecting the mix of roles across the economy. See our average pay page for details.

Whether you are negotiating a job offer or planning your budget, understanding the conversion from hourly to annual – and the components of your total package – puts you in control. The APS6 salary is just one example; the same principles apply to any role.