Victorian teacher salary: how it compares across states and industries

Victorian teacher salary in context

When we talk about a Victorian teacher salary, we’re looking at one of the largest and most diverse pay structures in Australian education. Victoria employs tens of thousands of teachers across government, Catholic, and independent schools, each with its own pay arrangements. This article focuses on the government school salary scale as the most publicly available benchmark, and compares it to national award minimums, the Salary Index, and other states and industries.

The keyword explained

The phrase “victorian teacher salary” is a common search term for anyone entering the profession, negotiating a new role, or comparing pay across state borders. The writing angle here is state and industry differences – how does a teacher in Victoria compare with teachers in New South Wales, and how does the education sector stack up against mining or retail?

Victorian government school pay scales

According to the Victorian Department of Education’s salary table (effective from 2025), a classroom teacher progresses through Range 1 (graduate) to Range 3 (experienced leading teacher). The lowest step, Range 1-1, pays $79,589 per year. The highest classroom step, Range 3-2, pays $129,544. There are also Range 2 levels for teachers with proficient accreditation. These figures are annual salaries for full-time teachers, before tax and super.

For example, a teacher at Range 2-3 ($101,512) earns above the Victorian state average of $106,137 (index 98) but below the national education industry average of $114,300 (index 105.5). A graduate teacher at Range 1-1 ($79,589) is well below both.

How the award sets a floor

The Fair Work Ombudsman administers the Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020, which sets minimum rates for teachers not covered by an enterprise agreement. As of July 2026, the award pays:

• Level 1 (graduate): $75,941 per year
• Level 2 (proficient): $83,004
• Level 3 (proficient + 3 years): $90,362
• Level 4 (proficient + 6 years): $97,720
• Level 5 (highly accomplished/lead): $105,076

These are minimums. Victorian government teachers earn more because of their enterprise agreement. Private schools may also pay above award, but the award gives a useful baseline for comparing state differences.

The Salary Index for a Victorian teacher

The Salary Index compares a yearly gross salary to the national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 (index 100). A Victorian teacher at Range 2-6 ($118,063) has an index of 109 – above the national line. A teacher at Range 1-1 ($79,589) has an index of 73 – below the national minimum wage index of 48.2 but still low compared to the average worker.

Because Victoria’s state index is 98 (annualised $106,137), many experienced teachers will be above the state average, while graduates will be below. The education industry index nationally is 105.5, so a teacher at Range 3-2 ($129,544) would have an index of 119.5, well above the industry norm.

Comparing across states

Looking at states, Victoria’s overall index (98) is lower than NSW (101.2) and Western Australia (106.9), but higher than South Australia (94.6) and Tasmania (88.6). However, teacher-specific comparisons require caution because each state has its own pay scales. For example, NSW government teachers recently received pay rises that lifted their top rate above Victoria’s. The award rates are national, so the floor is the same, but enterprise agreements create differences.

Industry comparison

The industries page shows that education and training has an index of 105.5, above the national line. This means the average teacher earns more than the average worker across all industries. Compare that to retail trade (75.9) or accommodation and food services (72.5). Mining (154.7) is much higher. A Victorian teacher at the top of the scale (index 119.5) is competitive with professional, scientific and technical services (114.7), but still below mining.

What about take-home pay?

Gross salary is only part of the picture. Superannuation at 12% (from July 2026) is on top of the salary. Tax for 2026–27 (excluding Medicare) is progressive: nil up to $18,200, then 15% to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, 37% to $190,000, and 45% above. A teacher earning $100,000 would pay about $22,967 in tax plus 2% Medicare levy, leaving around $75,000 take-home. Salary sacrifice, HELP repayments, and other factors can change this.

Caveats

These figures are benchmarks, not a quote for any individual. Victorian teacher salaries can vary by school type, location (rural allowances), and years of service. The award rates are minimums; most teachers are covered by enterprise agreements that pay more. Casual teachers receive a loading (typically 25%) but lose leave entitlements. Part-time teachers are paid pro-rata.

Summary

A Victorian teacher salary ranges from about $74,000 for a graduate to over $129,000 for an experienced leading teacher. This places most teachers near or above the national education industry average (index 105.5) but below the top-paying industries. Compared to other states, Victoria is in the middle – better than Tasmania and South Australia, but behind NSW and WA. The Salary Index helps put these numbers into perspective against the national line of $108,352.