What is a VPS5 salary and how does it compare to the national line?
Understand the VPS5 salary classification in the Victorian Public Service, how it sits against the national earnings index, and what to look for in job ads.
A VPS5 salary is not set by a modern award; it typically falls above the national line (index 100) but the exact figure depends on the enterprise agreement and role.
Understanding the VPS5 salary
When you see a job ad for a VPS5 role in Victoria, the first thing you want to know is what the pay is worth. The keyword 'vps5 salary refers to the pay rate for a classification in the Victorian Public Service, which is a classification level for professional and managerial roles. Unlike many roles covered by modern awards, VPS5 is set by an enterprise agreement, not a modern award. That means the exact figure is not in the Fair Work Ombudsman's pay guides or the Fair Work Commission's Modern Awards Pay Database because those databases cover minimum rates for award-covered employees only. So if you're reading a job ad and comparing offers, you need to know where that VPS5 salary sits against the national line.
The salary index as a lens
To compare any salary, we use the index where 100 is full-time adult ordinary-time earnings, annualised $108,352 (from the Australian Bureau of Statistics Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). That index is $1,083.7 per week, so a salary of $108,352 per year. For a VPS5 role, typical range around $120,000 per year, that would be index about 110.8. That means it's above the national average. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.9 per week, annualised $52,255 (index 48.2. So VPS5 is more than double that. But remember that the index is a gross ordinary-time benchmark, not a quote for a person or job offer.
How to compare VPS5 job ads
When you see two job ads for VPS5 roles, one for $115,000 plus super, another for $125,000 plus super, you want to know which is better. First, note that the base salary is the gross salary before tax and super. The super guarantee from 1 July 2026 is 12% of the base salary, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830. So a $120,000 base gives super about $14,400 per year. That is on top of the base. Then the tax: resident tax 2026-27 excluding Medicare is nil to $18,200; 15% to $45,000; 30% to $135,000; 37% to $190,000; 45% above. For a $120,000, the tax is about $27,000 plus 2% Medicare levy. So take-home about $93,000 after tax and Medicare. But that ignores HELP, salary sacrifice, salary sacrifice, and Medicare levy reduction and Medicare levy surcharge. So the take-home is a resident estimate with the tax-free threshold and a flat 2% Medicare levy.
Where VPS5 fits in the index by state
The on-site reference shows state indices: NSW index 101.2 (109,658 annualised); VIC index 98 (106,137 annualised); QLD index 97.9 (106,064 annualised); SA index 94.6 (102,450 annualised); WA index 106.9 (115,825 annualised); TAS index 88.6 (96,008 annualised); NT index 95.2 (103,173 annualised); ACT index 109.9 (119,090 annualised). VPS5 is in Victoria, which index 98. So a VPS5 salary around $120,000 is above that state index 122.4, which is above the state average. But the state index is a benchmark for all workers in Victoria, not just public sector.
Industry context
Selected industries: Mining index 154.7; Retail trade index 75.9; Accommodation and food services index 72.5; Professional, scientific and technical index 114.7; Education and training index 105.5; Health care and social assistance index 97.8. VPS5 roles are often in public administration, which is not listed separately, but it's similar to professional services. So a VPS5 salary is above the national average and above the state average.
How to find the exact VPS5 rate
Because VPS5 is not in a modern award, you need to look at the Victorian Public Service Enterprise Agreement. The Fair Work Ombudsman's pay guides cover only award-covered roles. The Fair Work Commission's Modern Awards Pay Database also does not include VPS5. So the best source is the Victorian Industrial Relations Commission or the Victorian Government's public sector pay website. For a general comparison, you can use the Salary Index to see how any salary sits against the national line.
Summary
When you read a job ad for a VPS5 role, the salary is likely above the national average. The exact figure depends on the enterprise agreement and the role. Use the index to compare offers: a $120,000 salary gives index 110.8. That is a good benchmark. Remember that the index is gross ordinary-time earnings, not take-home. And super is on top. So when comparing offers, look at the base salary plus super and any allowances. The keyword 'vps5 salary' is a classification, not a set number. So always check the current agreement.
For more on how the index works, see how the index works. For other state comparisons, see states. For industry comparisons, see industries. For topics, see topics.
Questions people ask
What is the typical VPS5 salary range in 2026?
The web search results did not provide a specific VPS5 salary figure because VPS5 is a Victorian Public Service classification covered by enterprise agreements, not modern awards. However, based on public sector trends, VPS5 roles often range from about $110,000 to $130,000 per year. To compare with the national line (index 100 = $108,352), a $120,000 salary would give an index of approximately 110.8, meaning it sits above the national average. For exact rates, check the current Victorian Public Service Enterprise Agreement.
How does a VPS5 salary 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 (index 48.2). A typical VPS5 salary of around $120,000 is more than double that, placing it well above the minimum. The VPS5 role is a professional or managerial classification, so the higher pay reflects the level of responsibility and expertise required.
Where can I find the official VPS5 pay rates?
Official VPS5 pay rates are published in the Victorian Public Service Enterprise Agreement, available from the Victorian Industrial Relations Commission or the Victorian Government's public sector pay website. The Fair Work Ombudsman and Fair Work Commission do not cover these rates because VPS5 is not a modern award. For a general comparison tool, you can use the [Salary Index](/method) to see how any salary sits against the national line.