The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has published the base annual permanent-rate salaries for several senior ranks within the Australian Army. The information, available on the official ADF website, details the earnings of colonels, brigadiers, major generals, and lieutenant generals. These salaries vary based on experience and pay points.
Australian Army Senior Officer Salaries for 2026
The Australian Army, a key component of the ADF responsible for land-based military operations, national defense, and international peacekeeping, has disclosed the standard annual salaries for its senior officer ranks. These range from A$186,934 (approximately ₦179.46 million) to over A$567,525 (approximately ₦545.12 million), as determined by the Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal (DFRT) under the Workplace Remuneration Arrangement.
Colonel Salary
A colonel in the Australian Army earns a base annual salary of A$266,198, which converts to roughly ₦255.68 million at an exchange rate of A$1 to ₦960.50.
Brigadier Salary
A brigadier receives an annual base salary starting at A$282,677 (about ₦271.51 million) at the entry rate, increasing to A$290,217 (approximately ₦278.75 million) after the first pay increment.
Major General Salary
A major general earns a base annual salary of A$316,619 (around ₦304.11 million) at the entry rate. After the first increment, the salary rises to A$332,277, equivalent to about ₦319.15 million.
Lieutenant General Salary
A lieutenant general, the highest regularly held rank in the Australian Army, earns a base annual salary of A$478,781, which is approximately ₦459.88 million.
Comparison with UK Army Salaries
In a related development, the UK military has released updated salaries for trainees before commissioning, as well as for teachers, chaplains, and legal officers. The Royal Army Chaplains’ Department recruits both religious and non-religious personnel to serve as military chaplains. According to the UK Army official website, chaplains are professionally qualified officers who provide pastoral care, spiritual support, and moral guidance to all personnel and their families, regardless of faith or worldview. The annual starting salary for a chaplain in the British Army during training is £60,236 (approximately N109,888,173). This salary remains unchanged upon completion of basic trade training.
