VPS salary bands: where Victorian public service pay sits on the Australian salary index

What are VPS salary bands?

VPS salary bands refer to the minimum pay ranges for employees of the Victorian Public Service, as defined in the Victorian Public Service Award 2016 (MA000135) from the Fair Work Ombudsman. The award covers roles from administrative officers to senior technical specialists, with salaries updated each year after the Annual Wage Review. From 1 July 2026, award rates rose by 4.75%.

The VPS classification structure has six main grades plus a Senior Technical Specialist level. Each grade has a value range with a minimum and maximum annual salary. For example:

• VPS Grade 1: $52,436 – $58,926
• VPS Grade 2: $60,611 – $75,484
• VPS Grade 3: $76,998 – $92,178
• VPS Grade 4: $93,865 – $105,671
• VPS Grade 5: $107,359 – $128,611
• VPS Grade 6: $130,295 – $172,288
• Senior Technical Specialist: $174,780 – $235,491

These are the minimum rates under the award. Many VPS employees are covered by enterprise agreements that pay above these figures. The award also includes separate classification structures for legal officers, allied health professionals, scientific officers, custodial officers, child protection practitioners, and others, with salaries linked to the VPS grade bases.

Where VPS salary bands sit on the Australian salary index

The Salary Index measures gross annual ordinary-time earnings against a national benchmark. Index 100 equals full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 per year (from ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). Here’s how VPS award bands compare:

• VPS Grade 1 minimum ($52,436) gives an index of about 48 – similar to the national minimum wage (index 48.2).
• VPS Grade 2 maximum ($75,484) is index 70.
• VPS Grade 3 maximum ($92,178) is index 85.
• VPS Grade 4 maximum ($105,671) is index 98 – just below the national line.
• VPS Grade 5 minimum ($107,359) is index 99 – essentially at the national average.
• VPS Grade 6 maximum ($172,288) is index 159 – well above average, comparable to professional services industries (index 114.7) and mining (index 154.7).
• Senior Technical Specialist maximum ($235,491) is index 217 – similar to top-end private sector roles.

So most VPS professional grades (Grade 3 and above) sit at or above the national line. Entry-level roles are near the minimum wage floor.

How the award structure works

The Victorian Public Service Award also defines ordinary hours (76 per fortnight) and overtime rates. Casual employees get a 25% loading. Superannuation is at least the guarantee (12% from 1 July 2026). The award includes progression within grades based on competency or time.

For specialised roles, the award ties salaries to VPS grade bases. For example:

• Legal Officer: Articled Clerk $65,920; Solicitor 1 $72,660; Senior Solicitor starts at VPS Grade 5 base.
• Allied Health: Allied Health 1 starts at VPS Grade 2 base; Allied Health 4 at VPS Grade 5 base.
• Scientific Officer: Science A starts at VPS Grade 2 base; Science D at VPS Grade 6 base.

These links mean that if the VPS grade base rises (e.g., after an annual wage review), the specialist rates rise too.

Actual pay vs award minimums

It’s important to remember that the VPS salary bands in the award are minimum rates. Most Victorian public servants are employed under enterprise agreements that set higher pay. For instance, a VPS Grade 5 employee might earn $115,000–$120,000, not the award minimum of $107,359. The award also doesn’t include performance bonuses or other allowances that may apply.

To see where your pay sits, compare your annual gross salary to the national line. If you earn $110,000, your index is about 102 – slightly above average. If you earn $80,000, your index is 74 – below the national line but above the minimum wage.

Using the salary index for VPS roles

The how the index works page explains the calculation: your yearly gross ordinary-time earnings divided by $108,352, times 100. For part-time or casual roles, adjust to full-time equivalent. The index helps you see your position relative to other Australians.

You can also compare across states – Victoria’s state index is 98 ($106,137 annualised), slightly below the national line. VPS roles in Melbourne may also reflect cost-of-living differences.

For more on award rates and enterprise agreements, check the pay guides section. If you’re in a different industry, see industries for benchmarks like retail (index 75.9) or health care (index 97.8).

Tax and take-home pay for VPS salaries

Resident tax rates for 2026–27 (excluding Medicare) are: nil up to $18,200; 15% to $45,000; 30% to $135,000; 37% to $190,000; 45% above. Add the 2% Medicare levy. For a VPS Grade 5 employee earning $110,000, the estimated take-home pay is about $82,000 after tax and Medicare (ignoring HELP or salary sacrifice). That’s an index of 102 gross, but after tax the spending power is lower.

Key caveats

• The VPS salary bands are award minimums, not typical pay.
• The salary index uses ordinary-time earnings; overtime or penalty rates are excluded.
• Junior rates, casual loadings, and allowances can change the comparison.
• Always refer to the actual award or enterprise agreement for your classification.

For a deeper dive into how the index applies to different roles, see topics for more guides.