Teacher Salary VIC: What Victorian Teachers Earn Under Award and Government Pay Scales

Teacher Salary VIC: Award Minimums, Government School Pay, and the National Index

When searching for teacher salary VIC, you’re likely looking at what Victorian teachers earn before tax and super. The answer depends on whether you work in a private school under the Educational Services (Teachers) Award or in a Victorian government school under a state pay schedule. This guide breaks down gross pay, superannuation, and tax for Victorian teachers, using the Salary Index to show where these figures sit against the national line.

The National Benchmark

The Salary Index sets 100 as full-time adult ordinary-time earnings: $2,083.70 per week, annualised to $108,352 (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). For context, the national minimum wage is $52,255 (index 48.2). Teacher salaries in Victoria span from roughly index 70 to over 120, depending on classification and employer.

Award Minimums for Teachers in Victoria

The Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020 covers many non-government schools and early childhood services. From 1 July 2026, the minimum weekly rates for full-time teachers in preschools and schools are:

• Level 1 (graduate teacher): $1,455.40 per week, annualised $75,941 (index 70.1)
• Level 2 (proficient accreditation): $1,590.70 per week, $83,004 (index 76.6)
• Level 3 (3 years at Level 2): $1,731.70 per week, $90,362 (index 83.4)
• Level 4 (3 years at Level 3): $1,872.70 per week, $97,720 (index 90.2)
• Level 5 (Highly Accomplished/Lead Teacher): $2,013.70 per week, $105,076 (index 97.0)

Teachers in long day care centres receive an additional 4% loading, bringing Level 1 to $78,979 (index 72.9). These rates are the legal floor; many teachers earn more under enterprise agreements.

Victorian Government School Salaries

Victorian government school teachers are covered by a separate state industrial agreement. The Department of Education’s salary schedule (effective from 1 July 2025) shows a progression through ranges:

• Range 1-1 (graduate): $79,589 (index 73.5)
• Range 1-5 (experienced classroom teacher): $91,056 (index 84.0)
• Range 2-1 (senior teacher): $94,415 (index 87.1)
• Range 2-6 (leading teacher): $118,063 (index 109.0)
• Range 3-1 (learning specialist): $123,966 (index 114.4)
• Range 3-2 (senior learning specialist): $129,544 (index 119.6)

These rates are gross annual salaries. A teacher at Range 2-6 earns about 9% above the national average, while a graduate at Range 1-1 is about 27% below.

Superannuation on Teacher Salary VIC

Under the award and the Superannuation Guarantee, employers must contribute 12% of ordinary time earnings from 1 July 2026. For a Victorian government school teacher earning $90,000, that’s $10,800 per year in super. The maximum contribution base is $270,830. Teachers can also salary-sacrifice additional amounts into their super fund, subject to concessional caps.

Tax on Teacher Salary VIC

Using 2026–27 resident tax rates, a Victorian teacher earning $90,362 (award Level 3) would pay:

• Nil on first $18,200
• 15% on $26,800 ($4,020)
• 30% on $45,362 ($13,609)
• Total tax: $17,629
• Plus Medicare levy (2%): $1,807
• Take-home pay: $70,926 (excluding HELP or other deductions)

A government school teacher at Range 3-2 ($129,544) would pay:

• Nil on $18,200
• 15% on $26,800 ($4,020)
• 30% on $90,000 ($27,000)
• 37% on $4,544 ($1,681)
• Total tax: $32,701
• Medicare levy: $2,591
• Take-home: $94,252

How Teacher Salary VIC Fits the Industry Index

The Education and Training industry index is 105.5, meaning the average full-time worker in that sector earns about 5.5% above the national line. However, teacher salary VIC varies: award minimums are below that average, while experienced government school teachers can exceed it. The index is a useful benchmark for comparing your pay against the broader workforce.

For more context on how your pay compares across states, see the states page. To understand how the index is calculated, read how the index works. And for a broader view of pay in education, visit industries.

Key Takeaways

• Teacher salary VIC ranges from about $75,941 (award graduate) to $129,544 (government senior specialist).
• Superannuation is 12% on top of gross pay.
• Tax reduces take-home by roughly 20–30% depending on earnings.
• The Salary Index helps you see where your pay sits against the national average of $108,352.

Whether you’re negotiating a new role or reviewing your current pay, knowing the award minimums and government scales gives you a solid foundation. Use the pay guides for more detailed award information.