What is the minimum wage for a graduate teacher in Victoria?

The legal minimum is the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour (from 1 July 2026) or the rate under the relevant modern award, whichever is higher. If you are covered by the Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020, the award sets minimum rates that are typically above the national minimum. An enterprise agreement can also set a higher rate. The precise market rate for a graduate teacher in Victoria is not available in the on-site reference.

Does the graduate teacher salary include super?

No, the salary figure is your ordinary time earnings before super. Your employer must pay superannuation guarantee contributions on top, currently 12% of your ordinary time earnings. For example, if your base salary is $50,000, your employer adds $6,000 in super.

How does the graduate teacher salary compare to the national minimum wage?

The national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a 38‑hour week (from 1 July 2026). A graduate teacher salary in Victoria is usually higher because it is set by an award or agreement. To check, divide your annual salary by 52 weeks and then by your weekly hours. If the result is below $26.44, your employer may be underpaying you.

Graduate Teacher Salary Victoria: How It Compares to the Legal Minimum

The legal minimum for a graduate teacher in Victoria is at least the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour or the applicable award rate, whichever is higher; a precise market rate is not in the reference.

Graduate Teacher Salary Victoria: What You Need to Know

If you are searching for a graduate teacher salary victoria, you are likely comparing job offers or checking whether your pay meets the legal minimum. This guide explains the different pay floors that apply and how to do a simple hourly check. The on‑site reference does not contain a specific market rate for graduate teachers in Victoria, so we focus on the legal minimums you can rely on.

The Legal Minimum: National Minimum Wage and Award Rates

The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage. From 1 July 2026, the adult national minimum is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a 38‑hour week. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, making the casual rate $33.05 per hour. These rates apply to national‑system employees who are not covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement.

Most graduate teachers in Victoria are covered by the Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020. Modern award minimum wages rise by 4.75% from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026. The lowest ongoing classification in an award cannot fall below the national minimum of $26.44 per hour. Introductory rates (for the first six months) are capped at $25.74 per hour or $978.10 per week. If your employer has an enterprise agreement, it can set a higher rate than the award, but never lower.

Separating the Legal Minimum from Other Figures

It is important to distinguish between:

Legal minimum: The national minimum wage or the award rate – whichever is higher. This is the floor you must receive.
Survey average: The ABS reports average earnings, but these are not a legal requirement. For example, in May 2026, full‑time adult ordinary‑time earnings were $2,083.70 per week. A graduate teacher salary is typically lower than this average.
Negotiated salary: Your actual pay may be above the award if you negotiate or if the school offers a higher rate.

Because the on‑site reference does not include a specific figure for graduate teacher salary in Victoria, you should compare your offered rate directly to the award or national minimum.

How to Check Your Hourly Rate

To see if your salary meets the legal minimum:

Find your annual salary (before tax and super).
Divide by 52 to get a weekly figure.
Divide by your ordinary weekly hours (usually 38 for full‑time teachers).
Compare the result to $26.44 per hour (or the award rate if you know it).

For example, a $65,000 annual salary for a 38‑hour week gives $65,000 ÷ 52 = $1,250 per week, then $1,250 ÷ 38 = $32.89 per hour. That is above the national minimum. If your rate is below $26.44, you may be underpaid.

Superannuation Is Paid on Top

Your employer must pay superannuation guarantee contributions on your ordinary time earnings. The rate is 12% from 1 July 2026. This is not deducted from your salary – it is an extra payment into a super fund. For a graduate teacher earning $65,000, the employer adds $7,800 in super each year.

What If You Are Award‑Free or Under an Agreement?

If you are not covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement, the national minimum wage applies. However, most teachers in Victoria are covered by the state or federal award. Check your employment contract or ask your employer which award applies. You can also look up the Which minimum wage applies guide on this site.

Using the Rate Tables

For a full list of minimum wages, including junior rates and apprentice rates, see the Rate tables page. Remember that juniors (under 21) and apprentices may be paid less than the adult rate, but graduate teachers are usually adults and receive the full adult minimum.

Summary

The legal floor for a graduate teacher in Victoria is the national minimum wage ($26.44/h) or the applicable award rate, whichever is higher.
The on‑site reference does not give a precise market rate for graduate teachers.
Super is paid on top at 12%.
Always check your hourly rate against the legal minimum to ensure compliance.

If you have further questions, visit the Guides or Topics pages.