Public Sector Pay Scales in Australia
Victorian Public Service grades, ADF salaries by rank and Queensland Health nursing pay points, each read from the agreement or pay manual that sets them.
Victorian Public Service (VPS) salaries
Schedule C of the Victorian Public Service Enterprise Agreement 2024 sets a salary for every progression step. The columns show the rate from 1 May 2026 and the rate scheduled from 1 May 2027.
VPS 1
| Progression step | From 1 May 2026 | From 1 May 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| 1.1.1 | $56,677 | $58,377 |
| 1.1.2 | $57,836 | $59,571 |
| 1.1.3 | $59,000 | $60,770 |
| 1.1.4 | $60,164 | $61,969 |
VPS 2
| Progression step | From 1 May 2026 | From 1 May 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| 2.1.1 | $62,104 | $63,967 |
| 2.1.2 | $63,366 | $65,267 |
| 2.1.3 | $64,624 | $66,563 |
| 2.1.4 | $65,889 | $67,866 |
| 2.1.5 | $67,145 | $69,159 |
| 2.1.6 | $68,408 | $70,460 |
| 2.1.7 | $69,669 | $71,759 |
| 2.1.8 | $70,930 | $73,058 |
| 2.2.1 | $72,189 | $74,355 |
| 2.2.2 | $73,450 | $75,654 |
| 2.2.3 | $74,708 | $76,949 |
| 2.2.4 | $75,971 | $78,250 |
| 2.2.5 | $77,228 | $79,545 |
| 2.2.6 | $78,493 | $80,848 |
| 2.2.7 | $79,753 | $82,146 |
VPS 3
| Progression step | From 1 May 2026 | From 1 May 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| 3.1.1 | $81,496 | $83,941 |
| 3.1.2 | $83,244 | $85,741 |
| 3.1.3 | $84,989 | $87,539 |
| 3.1.4 | $86,735 | $89,337 |
| 3.1.5 | $88,479 | $91,133 |
| 3.1.6 | $90,227 | $92,934 |
| 3.2.1 | $91,971 | $94,730 |
| 3.2.2 | $93,719 | $96,531 |
| 3.2.3 | $95,465 | $98,329 |
| 3.2.4 | $97,207 | $100,123 |
| 3.2.5 | $98,955 | $101,924 |
VPS 4
| Progression step | From 1 May 2026 | From 1 May 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| 4.1.1 | $100,894 | $103,921 |
| 4.1.2 | $103,159 | $106,254 |
| 4.1.3 | $105,423 | $108,586 |
| 4.1.4 | $107,681 | $110,911 |
| 4.1.5 | $109,949 | $113,247 |
| 4.1.6 | $112,212 | $115,578 |
| 4.1.7 | $114,476 | $117,910 |
VPS 5
| Progression step | From 1 May 2026 | From 1 May 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| 5.1.1 | $116,413 | $119,905 |
| 5.1.2 | $119,902 | $123,499 |
| 5.1.3 | $123,391 | $127,093 |
| 5.1.4 | $126,880 | $130,686 |
| 5.1.5 | $128,631 | $132,490 |
| 5.2.1 | $128,635 | $132,494 |
| 5.2.2 | $132,122 | $136,086 |
| 5.2.3 | $135,612 | $139,680 |
| 5.2.4 | $139,100 | $143,273 |
| 5.2.5 | $140,849 | $145,074 |
VPS 6
| Progression step | From 1 May 2026 | From 1 May 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| 6.1.1 | $142,790 | $147,074 |
| 6.1.2 | $147,195 | $151,611 |
| 6.1.3 | $151,602 | $156,150 |
| 6.1.4 | $156,008 | $160,688 |
| 6.1.5 | $160,413 | $165,225 |
| 6.1.6 | $164,820 | $169,765 |
| 6.1.7 | $166,938 | $171,946 |
| 6.2.1 | $166,939 | $171,947 |
| 6.2.2 | $171,345 | $176,485 |
| 6.2.3 | $175,751 | $181,024 |
| 6.2.4 | $180,156 | $185,561 |
| 6.2.5 | $184,563 | $190,100 |
| 6.2.6 | $188,969 | $194,638 |
| 6.2.7 | $191,084 | $196,817 |
Senior Technical Specialist (STS)
| Progression step | From 1 May 2026 | From 1 May 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| 7.1.1 | $193,946 | $199,764 |
| 7.1.2 | $201,184 | $207,220 |
| 7.1.3 | $208,423 | $214,676 |
| 7.1.4 | $215,660 | $222,130 |
| 7.1.5 | $217,218 | $223,735 |
| 7.2.1 | $217,223 | $223,740 |
| 7.2.2 | $224,460 | $231,194 |
| 7.2.3 | $231,699 | $238,650 |
| 7.2.4 | $238,937 | $246,105 |
| 7.2.5 | $240,496 | $247,711 |
| 7.3.1 | $240,496 | $247,711 |
| 7.3.2 | $247,733 | $255,165 |
| 7.3.3 | $254,971 | $262,620 |
| 7.3.4 | $262,210 | $270,076 |
| 7.3.5 | $263,771 | $271,684 |
ADF pay scales
The Defence Pay and Conditions Manual lists yearly salary rates for permanent members, effective 6 November 2025. Each rank has ten pay grades, and some ranks also have increments, so the table shows the lowest rate (pay grade 1, lowest increment) and the highest (pay grade 10, highest increment). Reserve members are paid daily rates, which are not shown. Defence has said a new remuneration arrangement is going to the Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal, so check the manual for any change after this date.
Other ranks
| Rank (Navy, Army, Air Force) | Lowest yearly | Highest yearly |
|---|---|---|
| Chief Petty Officer, Warrant Officer Class 2, Flight Sergeant | $109,733 | $158,815 |
| Staff Sergeant | $106,734 | $153,925 |
| Petty Officer, Sergeant, Sergeant | $97,575 | $148,091 |
| Leading Seaman, Corporal, Corporal | $86,966 | $137,047 |
| Lance Corporal | $81,612 | $128,802 |
| Able Seaman, Private Proficient, Leading Aircraftman | $80,341 | $127,530 |
| Seaman, Private, Aircraftman | $79,096 | $126,292 |
Officers
| Rank (Navy, Army, Air Force) | Lowest yearly | Highest yearly |
|---|---|---|
| Captain, Colonel, Group Captain | $186,934 | $248,376 |
| Commander, Lieutenant Colonel, Wing Commander | $159,440 | $220,780 |
| Lieutenant Commander, Major, Squadron Leader | $130,007 | $193,476 |
| Lieutenant, Captain, Flight Lieutenant | $106,257 | $179,912 |
| Sub-Lieutenant, Lieutenant, Flying Officer | $91,778 | $156,316 |
| Acting Sub-Lieutenant, Second Lieutenant, Pilot Officer | $87,091 | $145,493 |
Queensland Health nursing pay rates
Yearly rates from 1 April 2026 for the nursing stream, from the Queensland Health wage rates page. The page also lists fortnightly, hourly and casual rates and the rates for later dates.
| Classification | Pay point | Per annum |
|---|---|---|
| Assistant in Nursing/Midwifery | Pay point 1 | $69,836 |
| Pay point 2 | $71,276 | |
| Pay point 3 | $72,215 | |
| Pay point 4 | $73,848 | |
| Pay point 5 | $75,549 | |
| Pay point 6 | $76,468 | |
| Enrolled Nurse | Pay point 1 | $75,573 |
| Pay point 2 | $76,653 | |
| Pay point 3 | $77,783 | |
| Registered Nurse/Midwife | Re-entry | $83,872 |
| Pay point 1 | $87,790 | |
| Pay point 2 | $91,915 | |
| Pay point 3 | $96,053 | |
| Pay point 4 | $100,180 | |
| Pay point 5 | $104,318 | |
| Pay point 6 | $108,466 | |
| Pay point 7 | $112,607 | |
| Nurse Practitioner | Pay point 1 | $158,344 |
| Pay point 2 | $162,283 | |
| Pay point 3 | $165,320 |
Other public sector scales
Commonwealth public servants, including APS 6, are on the APS pay calculator. Teachers are on the teacher salary page, and the wider picture is on average salary in Australia.
Frequently asked questions
What is the VPS salary scale?
Under the Victorian Public Service Enterprise Agreement 2024 a VPS 1 officer is paid from $56,677 (step 1.1.1, from 1 May 2026), and VPS 6 runs from $142,790 to $191,084. The agreement's Schedule C lists every progression step and the rates for 1 May 2027.
How much does the ADF pay?
The Defence Pay and Conditions Manual lists permanent forces yearly salaries effective 6 November 2025. The lowest other-rank rate (Seaman, Private, Aircraftman, pay grade 1) is $79,096 and the lowest officer rate (Acting Sub-Lieutenant, Second Lieutenant, Pilot Officer) is $87,091. Each rank has ten pay grades and, for some ranks, increments, so pay rises with time in rank and service.
How much do Queensland Health nurses earn?
From 1 April 2026 a Registered Nurse/Midwife (grade 5) is paid from $87,790 at pay point 1 to $112,607 at pay point 7 a year, and re-entry is $83,872. The Queensland Health wage page also shows hourly, fortnightly and casual rates.
Where is the APS 6 salary?
APS classifications are on the APS pay calculator, which carries the Australian Public Service Commission rates and estimates take-home pay.
Are NSW Health and other state pay scales included?
Not yet. This page covers the Victorian Public Service, the ADF and the Queensland Health nursing stream. NSW Health and other state health awards are not on the page.
Are these rates before tax?
These are the rates published in the agreements and pay manuals. Use the income tax calculator to turn a yearly salary into tax and take-home pay. ADF members also receive allowances and benefits that are not part of the salary tables.
Tax Accuracy & Sources
Reviewed: 21 October 2026 · Tax year: 2026-27
Salary tables as published in the Victorian Public Service Enterprise Agreement 2024, the Defence Pay and Conditions Manual and the Queensland Health wage rates page on the dates shown. Allowances, loadings, superannuation and any change after those dates are not included.