Police Salary Victoria: How the Pay Compares to the National Minimum Wage

Police Salary Victoria: Enterprise Agreement Rates

When researching police salary Victoria, the first thing to understand is that sworn police officers are not covered by a modern award or the national minimum wage. Instead, their pay and conditions are set by the Victoria Police Enterprise Agreement, a negotiated industrial instrument that applies to all Victoria Police employees. This agreement provides rates well above the legal minimum, along with generous leave and penalty provisions.

According to the official Victoria Police website , the salary structure is clear and progressive.

Recruit and Probationary Constable Pay

From week one at the Victoria Police Academy, recruits are paid a salary of $61,187 per annum. After 12 weeks, upon being sworn in as a Probationary Constable, the salary rises to $84,060 per annum, plus allowances. Once the Diploma of Policing is completed, the officer progresses to First Constable and receives $90,399 per annum, again plus allowances. These figures are for full-time work, defined as 80 hours per fortnight (equivalent to 38 ordinary hours per week).

Salary Progression and Benefits

Salary progression is governed by the enterprise agreement and depends on role, duties, and performance. In addition to base pay, police officers receive shift penalties, overtime payments, and a range of allowances. Leave entitlements are substantial: five weeks recreation leave per year, an additional two weeks in lieu of public holidays, and 10 days accrued time off. After 10 years, three months of long-service leave on full pay is available. Personal/carer leave of 15 days per year is also provided.

How Police Salary Compares to the National Minimum

The national minimum wage, set by the Fair Work Commission, is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week from 1 July 2026. For award-free adult employees, this is the legal floor. However, police salaries are far higher. Converting the Probationary Constable annual salary of $84,060 to an hourly rate (based on 38 ordinary hours per week) gives approximately $42.54 per hour – over 60% above the national minimum. Even the recruit salary of $61,187 equates to about $30.96 per hour, still comfortably above the minimum.

It is important to note that the national minimum wage is a backstop. A modern award or enterprise agreement can set a higher rate, and the Victoria Police Enterprise Agreement does exactly that. For workers not covered by an award or agreement, the national minimum applies, but junior rates, apprentice rates, and supported wages may be lower. Police officers are not subject to those reductions.

The Role of Superannuation

When discussing any salary, it is crucial to remember that the Superannuation Guarantee requires employers to pay an additional 12% on top of ordinary time earnings. For Victoria Police, this contribution goes to the Emergency Services Super Fund. So a Probationary Constable earning $84,060 per annum receives an extra $10,087.20 in super contributions each year, making total remuneration approximately $94,147.20.

Conclusion

For anyone evaluating police salary Victoria, the figures are transparent and well above the national minimum. The enterprise agreement ensures competitive pay, strong leave benefits, and penalty rates for shift work. If you are comparing job offers or checking your own pay, remember that the legal minimum is only a floor – most employees in Australia are covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement that sets higher rates. For more details on how different pay structures work, see our Rate tables and Guides sections.

Note: The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage. The Fair Work Ombudsman explains and enforces it. This article is for orientation only and is not a pay determination or legal advice.