VPS 5 salary: what it is and where it sits on the national index

What is a VPS 5 salary?

The term VPS 5 salary refers to the pay rate for an employee classified at Grade 5 in the Victorian Public Service. VPS stands for Victorian Public Service, and the grades run from 1 (entry-level) to 7 (senior management). Grade 5 is a mid-level professional or supervisory role. Unlike many private-sector jobs, VPS salaries are not set by a modern award. Instead, they are determined by an enterprise agreement between the Victorian Government and the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) and other unions.

Where the figures come from

The most recent publicly available VPS salary schedule found in this search is dated 1 March 2023. It shows a VPS 5 salary range of $105,479 to $127,621 per year. Within that range there are progression steps – typically two value ranges (Value Range 1 and Value Range 2) with annual increments of around $3,161. An employee might start at the bottom and move up over time, or be appointed at a higher step based on experience and skills.

Because the data is from 2023, the actual 2026 VPS 5 salary may be higher after subsequent wage increases. The Fair Work Commission’s modern awards database does not cover VPS, so the only official source is the Victorian Government’s enterprise agreement or the CPSU.

Where VPS 5 sits on the Salary Index

The Salary Index benchmarks full-time adult ordinary-time earnings at 100. That national line is $108,352 per year (based on ABS Average Weekly Earnings for May 2026). The VPS 5 salary range of $105,479 to $127,621 translates to an index of 97.3 to 117.8.

• At the bottom of the range, a VPS 5 employee earns slightly below the national average (index 97.3).
• At the top of the range, they earn nearly 18% above the national average (index 117.8).

For context, the Victorian state average index is 98.0 ($106,137), so a VPS 5 at the lower end is close to the typical Victorian full-time worker. The national minimum wage sits at index 48.2, meaning a VPS 5 salary is more than double the minimum.

Comparison with award rates

Awards set minimum pay for many industries. For example, the Retail Award minimum for a full-time adult employee is around $25.74 per hour (entry-level), which annualises to about $53,539 – index 49.4. Even the lowest VPS 5 step is nearly twice that. The Professional, Scientific and Technical Services industry average index is 114.7, which aligns with the upper half of the VPS 5 range. So VPS 5 is competitive with professional roles in the private sector.

How VPS 5 pay works in practice

Unlike award-covered employees, VPS 5 staff do not get overtime pay. The enterprise agreement expects them to work reasonable additional hours as needed, compensated through time in lieu or other arrangements. This is a key difference from the award system, where overtime rates (e.g., time-and-a-half) are mandatory for hours beyond ordinary.

Superannuation is on top: the 12% super guarantee (from 1 July 2026) means total remuneration for a VPS 5 on $105,479 would be about $118,136 including super. The super guarantee maximum contribution base is $270,830, so no cap issue for VPS 5.

Tax: a resident earning $105,479 in 2026–27 would pay approximately $24,467 in income tax plus $2,110 Medicare levy (2%), leaving about $78,902 take-home. At the top of the range ($127,621), tax and Medicare would be about $32,467 and $2,552, leaving $92,602. These are rough estimates ignoring HELP or other deductions.

Why VPS 5 matters for pay comparisons

If you are looking at a job advertisement or a salary guide, knowing the VPS 5 salary helps you gauge where a role sits relative to the broader market. The Salary Index lets you compare any pay figure against the national line. For instance, a VPS 5 at $116,000 (midpoint) would have an index of 107, similar to the Education and Training industry average (105.5).

For more on how different states and industries compare, see states and industries. You can also explore pay guides for award-covered roles, or topics covering super, tax, and enterprise agreements.

Key takeaways

• VPS 5 salary range: $105,479 – $127,621 (2023 data, likely higher now).
• Index range: 97.3 – 117.8.
• Not set by a modern award; governed by enterprise agreement.
• No overtime pay; time in lieu applies.
• Well above national minimum wage and most award minimums.

If you need the most current VPS rates, check the Victorian Government’s Industrial Relations Victoria website or the CPSU. The figures here are a reliable benchmark but may not reflect the latest enterprise bargaining outcome.