What an EL1 salary means on the Australian salary index
EL1 salary is the pay for an APS Executive Level 1 role. See how it compares to the national line and what it means for your take-home pay.
An EL1 salary typically ranges from $110,000 to $141,000 a year, placing it between index 102 and 130 on the Australian salary index, well above the national line of 100.
What is an EL1 salary?
An EL1 salary is the base pay for an Executive Level 1 role in the Australian Public Service (APS). It is a management or senior professional classification, one step above APS 6 and below EL2. The exact figure depends on the agency and the specific enterprise agreement that applies. Unlike award-covered jobs, EL1 salaries are set by enterprise bargaining, not by a modern award.
Where EL1 salary sits on the Australian salary index
The Salary Index compares yearly gross pay to the national line of $108,352 (index 100). That line comes from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings for full-time adult ordinary-time earnings (May 2026). An EL1 salary typically falls between $110,000 and $141,000 a year, which gives an index range of about 102 to 130. That means most EL1 roles pay above the national average.
For example, an EL1 on $120,000 has an index of 111. That is 11% above the national line. An EL1 on $141,000 has an index of 130, which is 30% above. Compare that to the national minimum wage (index 48.2) or the retail trade industry average (index 75.9). EL1 pay is solidly in the upper half of the Australian pay spectrum.
How EL1 salary is determined
Each APS agency negotiates its own enterprise agreement. The two agreements in the search results show the range. The Treasury Enterprise Agreement 2024–2027 lists EL1.1 at $123,005 (before March 2024), EL1.2 at $132,655, and EL1.3 at $141,099. After the March 2024 increase, those become $127,925, $137,961, and $146,743 respectively. The National Archives of Australia agreement shows lower figures: EL1-1 $110,409, EL1-2 $115,931, EL1-3 $118,830 (as at August 2023). After March 2024, those rise to $114,825, $120,568, and $123,583.
So an EL1 salary can vary by tens of thousands of dollars depending on the agency. The Treasury rates are higher, possibly reflecting different work value or bargaining outcomes. The National Archives rates are closer to the lower end. Always check the specific agency's enterprise agreement for the current pay points.
Take-home pay from an EL1 salary
Using the resident tax rates for 2026–27 (tax-free threshold up to $18,200, then 15% to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, 37% to $190,000, plus 2% Medicare levy), here are rough estimates:
- EL1 salary $110,000: tax about $24,467, Medicare $2,200, take-home about $83,333 a year ($6,944 a month).
- EL1 salary $130,000: tax about $31,267, Medicare $2,600, take-home about $96,133 a year ($8,011 a month).
- EL1 salary $146,743 (Treasury EL1.3 from March 2024): tax about $37,424, Medicare $2,935, take-home about $106,384 a year ($8,865 a month).
These ignore HELP repayments, salary sacrifice, and the Medicare levy surcharge. Superannuation is additional: the super guarantee is 12% from 1 July 2026, so total remuneration is higher.
How EL1 salary compares to other classifications
Within the APS, an APS 6 salary ranges from about $94,000 to $114,000 (index 87 to 105). An EL2 salary starts around $150,000 (index 138). So EL1 sits between those two. Outside the APS, a professional role in the Professional, Scientific and Technical industry has an average index of 114.7, which is similar to a mid-range EL1. A retail trade role averages index 75.9, well below EL1.
What the salary index does not tell you
The index is a benchmark, not a quote for a specific job. It uses gross ordinary-time earnings, not total remuneration. An EL1 salary might include performance bonuses, allowances, or other benefits that are not captured. Also, the index is based on full-time work; part-time EL1 roles would have a lower gross pay but the same hourly rate.
Where to find current EL1 salary information
For the most up-to-date figures, look at the enterprise agreement of the APS agency you are interested in. The Salary Index explains how the index is calculated. You can also browse pay guides for award-covered roles, but EL1 is not award-covered. For state public service equivalents, see the states page. The industries page shows how different sectors compare.
Summary
An EL1 salary is a solid above-average income in Australia. It typically sits between index 102 and 130, meaning it pays more than the national line of 100. The exact figure depends on the agency and pay point. Use the enterprise agreement for the agency you are interested in to get the precise rate.
FAQs
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Questions people ask
What is the typical EL1 salary range?
EL1 salary varies by agency and pay point. Based on two enterprise agreements, the base salary range is roughly $110,000 to $141,000 a year. The Treasury agreement shows higher rates (up to $141,099 before March 2024) than the National Archives agreement (up to $118,830 as at August 2023). After the March 2024 increases, Treasury EL1.3 reached $146,743. Always check the specific agency's enterprise agreement for current rates.
How does an EL1 salary compare to the national average?
The national line on the Salary Index is $108,352 a year (index 100). An EL1 salary at $110,000 gives an index of about 101.5, slightly above average. At $141,000 the index is 130, well above average. Most EL1 roles sit between index 102 and 130, meaning they pay more than the typical full-time adult ordinary-time earnings.
Is an EL1 salary covered by a modern award?
No. EL1 is a classification in the Australian Public Service, not a modern award classification. APS employees are covered by enterprise agreements and the Public Service Act 1999. The Fair Work Commission's Modern Awards Pay Database does not apply to APS roles. For award-covered roles, you would look at classifications like those in the Clerks Award or Professional Employees Award.