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Use our alignment tables below to understand how work values compare across the APS, State, and Territory governments. Then, choose your target level for a tailored interview strategy from former Government Hiring Managers.
This table provides an approximate alignment for work value and seniority between the Australian Public Service (APS) and major state/territory governments.
Crucial Context: No direct 1:1 alignment exists.
This table represents the closest approximate comparison for work value and seniority. Responsibilities, team size, leadership expectations, and pay can vary significantly between jurisdictions, even at "equivalent" levels. Always check the specific position description.
| Federal (APS) | Victoria (VPS) | NSW Gov | Queensland | ACT (ACTPS) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| APS 3 | VPS Grade 2 | Clerk Grade 3/4 | AO3 | ASO 3 |
| APS 4 | VPS Grade 3 | Clerk Grade 3/4 | AO4 | ASO 4 |
| APS 5 | VPS Grade 3 / 4 | Clerk Grade 5/6 | AO5 | ASO 5 |
| APS 6 | VPS Grade 4 / 5 | Clerk Grade 7/8 | AO6 | ASO 6 |
| EL 1 | VPS Grade 5 / 6 | Clerk Grade 9/10 | AO7 | SOG C |
| EL 2 | VPS Grade 6 | Clerk Grade 11/12 | AO8 | SOG B |
| SES Band 1 | VPS Exec (Band 1) | PSSE Band 1 | SES 1 | Exec Level 1.1-1.4 |
| SES Band 2 | VPS Exec (Band 2) | PSSE Band 2 | SES 2 / SES 3 | Exec Level 2.1-2.4 |
| SES Band 3 | VPS Exec (Band 3) | PSSE Band 3 / 4 | SES 4 / CEO | Exec Level 3.1-3.4 |
| Federal (APS) | South Australia | Western Australia | Tasmania | Northern Territory |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| APS 3 | ASO 3 | Level 2 | Band 2 / 3 | AO3 |
| APS 4 | ASO 4 | Level 3 | Band 3 | AO4 |
| APS 5 | ASO 5 | Level 4 | Band 4 | AO5 |
| APS 6 | ASO 6 | Level 5 | Band 5 | AO6 |
| EL 1 | ASO 7 | Level 6 | Band 6 | AO7 (SAO1) |
| EL 2 | ASO 8 | Level 7 / 8 | Band 7 | AO8 (SAO2) |
Now that you know your equivalent level, consider the math: A promotion from an APS5 to an APS6, or an AO6 to an AO7, typically comes with a $15,000 to $25,000+ salary increase per year, plus higher superannuation.
Missing out on that role because of a nervous interview or generic STAR examples doesn't just cost you today—it costs you tens of thousands of dollars over the lifetime of your career.
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No, they are different. An APS 6 is approximately equivalent to a VPS Grade 4 or Grade 5. A VPS Grade 6 is a higher classification, closer in work value to an APS EL 1 or even EL 2, and often holds significant management or strategic responsibilities.
An APS EL 1 (Executive Level 1) is approximately equivalent to a NSW Government Clerk Grade 9/10. This is typically the first level of management or a role requiring high-level specialist expertise within the NSW Public Sector Capability Framework.
Salaries are determined by different enterprise agreements (EAs) or awards for each jurisdiction. Pay is not a reliable guide for work value. For example, NSW and Victorian governments often have higher base pay rates for roles with equivalent work value to the Federal APS.
'SOG C' stands for 'Senior Officer Grade C'. This is the first executive-level classification in the ACTPS and is the direct equivalent of the APS EL 1 level.
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