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Secondary school teacher salary Victoria: awards and the national minimum wage
Understand secondary school teacher salary Victoria under the Educational Services Award and Victorian government schools agreement, compared to the national minimum wage and salar
Award rates for secondary teachers in Victoria range from index 70 to 97, while Victorian government school salaries can exceed the national average (index 100).
Secondary school teacher salary Victoria: awards and the national minimum wage
When you search for "secondary school teacher salary victoria", you are likely trying to understand what a teacher in a Victorian secondary school actually earns. The answer depends on whether the teacher works in a government school (covered by a state agreement) or a non-government school (often covered by the national award). Both sit well above the national minimum wage, but the range is wide.
The award as a floor
The Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020 sets minimum rates for teachers in preschools, schools, and long day care centres across Australia. For secondary school teachers in Victoria, this award applies unless a state or enterprise agreement provides higher pay. The award has five levels based on accreditation and experience:
- Level 1 – Graduate teacher: $75,941 per year (index 70.1)
- Level 2 – Proficient accreditation: $83,004 (index 76.6)
- Level 3 – Proficient after 3 years at Level 2: $90,362 (index 83.4)
- Level 4 – Proficient after 3 years at Level 3: $97,720 (index 90.2)
- Level 5 – Highly Accomplished/Lead Teacher: $105,076 (index 97.0)
These rates are from the Fair Work Ombudsman's pay guide effective from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, reflecting a 4.75% increase to award minima. Compare these to the national minimum wage of $52,255 (index 48.2) – even a graduate teacher earns 45% more than the minimum wage floor.
Victorian government schools: a different league
Most secondary teachers in Victoria are employed by the state government under the Victorian Government Schools Agreement. The salary structure is more generous, with multiple ranges and steps. According to a Victorian Department of Education salary document (updated to July 2025), the lowest classroom teacher salary (Range 1-1) is $79,589, and the highest (Range 3-2) reaches $129,544. That top rate gives an index of 119.6 – well above the national average earnings benchmark of $108,352 (index 100).
How the salary index helps
The salary index compares any gross annual salary to the national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings. For a secondary teacher in Victoria:
- Award Level 1: index 70.1 – below the national average
- Award Level 5: index 97.0 – just below the national average
- Victorian government school Range 3-2: index 119.6 – above the national average
This shows that while award rates lag behind the national line, many Victorian government school teachers earn at or above it. The education and training industry overall has an index of 105.5, reflecting the mix of public and private employers.
Awards versus the national minimum wage
The writing angle here is how teacher salaries compare to the national minimum wage. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, annualised $52,255. A teacher on the award Level 3 earns $90,362 – 73% more than the minimum wage. Even the lowest award level is 45% above the minimum. This gap exists because teaching requires a degree, registration, and ongoing professional development. The award recognises this through classification levels that reward experience and higher accreditation.
However, the award is only a minimum. In Victoria, the state government agreement pays significantly more, partly due to union bargaining and the cost of living in Melbourne and regional centres. The states page shows Victoria's overall index is 98, slightly below the national average, but teacher salaries in government schools can push above that.
Superannuation and tax considerations
From 1 July 2026, the superannuation guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings, paid on top of salary. For a teacher earning $90,000, that means an extra $10,800 into super each year, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. Super is not included in the salary index figures, which are gross wages only.
For tax, using 2026–27 resident rates (with tax-free threshold and 2% Medicare levy), a teacher on $90,362 would pay about $19,350 in tax and Medicare, leaving around $71,012 take-home. This ignores HELP debts, salary sacrifice, or the Medicare levy surcharge. The pay guides section has more detail on how awards interact with tax.
What this means for your search
When you look up "secondary school teacher salary victoria", remember that the figure you see depends on the employer. Private schools may follow the award or have their own enterprise agreements. Public schools follow the state agreement, which is publicly available. The award provides a safety net, but many teachers earn above it. The salary index helps you see where any given salary sits against the national average – a useful tool whether you are negotiating a job offer or planning a career move.
For more context, explore how other industries compare, or check the methodology behind the index. If you are in Victoria, the state's index of 98 means the typical full-time worker earns slightly below the national average, but teachers in government schools can exceed that.
Questions people ask
What is the difference between the award and the Victorian government schools agreement for secondary teachers?
The Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020 sets a national minimum for teachers in private and some public schools. However, most Victorian government school teachers are covered by the Victorian Government Schools Agreement, which has higher salary ranges. For example, a graduate teacher under the award earns $75,941, while a Victorian government school teacher at Range 1-1 earns $79,589 (as of July 2025). Experienced teachers can earn over $129,000 under the state agreement, well above the award's top level of $105,076.
How does superannuation apply to secondary teacher salaries in Victoria?
From 1 July 2026, the superannuation guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings, paid on top of the salary. For a teacher earning $90,000, the employer would contribute $10,800 per year into a super fund. The maximum contribution base is $270,830, so super is capped at that amount. Teachers covered by state agreements may have additional super arrangements, but the 12% is the legal minimum.
What is the take-home pay for a secondary teacher on the award in Victoria after tax?
Using 2026–27 resident tax rates with the tax-free threshold and 2% Medicare levy, a teacher on the award Level 3 salary of $90,362 would pay approximately $19,350 in tax and Medicare, leaving a take-home of about $71,012 per year. This excludes HELP repayments, salary sacrifice, or the Medicare levy surcharge. Actual take-home will vary based on individual circumstances.