Australian Border Force salary from 12 March 2026: pay for each APS level under the Department of Home Affairs enterprise agreement, the Use of Force allowance, shift penalties and take-home pay in 2026–27.
A Border Force Officer (APS 3) earns $70,477 to $79,403 a year, and $73,291 or more with the Use of Force allowance. Shift work adds 15% to 150%.
ABF salary by level
| Level | Minimum per year | Maximum per year | Take-home per fortnight (minimum) |
|---|---|---|---|
| APS 1 | $57,497 | $60,946 | $1,874 |
| APS 2 (Assistant Border Force Officer) | $62,775 | $68,425 | $2,009 |
| APS 3 (Border Force Officer) | $70,477 | $79,403 | $2,208 |
| APS 4 (Leading Border Force Officer) | $79,476 | $86,246 | $2,443 |
| APS 5 | $88,834 | $96,829 | $2,688 |
| APS 6 | $99,734 | $111,701 | $2,973 |
| EL 1 | $121,755 | $139,450 | $3,549 |
| EL 2 | $140,893 | $183,347 | $4,034 |
Base salaries from 12 March 2026 (Department of Home Affairs Enterprise Agreement 2024–27, Attachment A – General Salary Table). The agreement names APS 3 Border Force Officer and APS 4 Leading Border Force Officer; Assistant Border Force Officer roles are advertised at APS 2 on the Home Affairs job board. Other ABF titles aren't tied to a level in the agreement, so check the job ad.
Allowances
- Use of Force allowance: $2,814 a year, paid fortnightly, if you hold and maintain a Use of Force permit for the full set of personal defence equipment.
- Uniform allowance: $349 a year for shoes and socks when they aren't supplied.
- Others for specific roles: investigator allowance, operational safety trainer allowance, operational workplace trainer allowance, self-contained breathing apparatus allowance, sea-going allowance, workplace responsibility allowance.
Shift penalties
| When | Full-time and part-time | Casual (includes casual loading) |
|---|---|---|
| Monday to Friday, any part of the shift between 6 pm and 6:30 am | 15% | 40% |
| Monday to Friday, duty between midnight and 6 am on a shift wholly between 5:30 pm and 8 am | 23% | 48% |
| Monday to Friday, shifts wholly between 5:30 pm and 8 am rostered continuously for more than 4 weeks | 30% | 55% |
| Saturday | 50% | 75% |
| Sunday | 100% | 125% |
| Public holiday | 150% | 175% |
How it works
- ABF officers are Department of Home Affairs employees, so they're paid under the Home Affairs Enterprise Agreement 2024–27.
- Hours: 37 hours 30 minutes a week. Super: 15.4%.
- Take-home pay is after income tax and the Medicare levy for a full year in 2026–27.
Common questions
How much does a Border Force Officer earn?
A Border Force Officer (APS 3) gets $70,477 to $79,403 a year from 12 March 2026 under the Home Affairs enterprise agreement, plus super of 15.4%. With the Use of Force allowance ($2,814 a year) the starting pay is $73,291.
What does a Leading Border Force Officer earn?
APS 4: $79,476 to $86,246 a year.
What do Assistant Border Force Officers earn?
Home Affairs advertises Assistant Border Force Officer roles at APS 2, which pays $62,775 to $68,425 a year. Casual roles get a casual loading on top of the hourly rate.
Do ABF officers get shift penalties?
Yes. Full-time shift workers get 15% to 30% extra for evening and night shifts Monday to Friday, 50% on Saturdays, 100% on Sundays and 150% on public holidays (clause 5.73).
How do pay rises work?
3% of base salary each year with a 'met expectations' rating and at least 6 months' service in the last 12, up to the top of your level. The agreement nominally expires on 28 February 2027.
See also Home Affairs APS pay rates, APS pay by agency and AFP salary.
Source: Department of Home Affairs Enterprise Agreement 2024–27 (Attachment A, clauses 3.59, 3.61–3.62 and 5.73); Home Affairs job board. Take-home pay: ATO tax rates. Checked 2026-10-23. General information only.