Secondary School Teacher Salary Victoria: Award Minimums and Enterprise Agreements

Secondary School Teacher Salary Victoria: Understanding the Pay Floor

When researching a secondary school teacher salary victoria, it is important to separate the legal minimum from negotiated rates and survey averages. The pay floor for most Victorian secondary school teachers is set by the Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020, a modern award of the Fair Work Commission. However, many teachers in government schools are covered by the Victorian Government Schools Agreement 2026, an enterprise agreement that overrides the award with higher pay. This guide explains the different layers and how to compare them.

The Award Minimum: Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020

The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes the award rates, which apply to teachers in the school education industry, including secondary schools. The award classifies teachers into five levels based on accreditation and experience. For a full-time employee working 38 ordinary hours per week, the minimum annual salaries from 1 July 2026 are:

• Level 1 (graduate or provisional registration): $75,941 per year ($1,455.40 per week, $38.30 per hour)
• Level 2 (proficient accreditation): $83,004 per year ($1,590.70 per week, $41.86 per hour)
• Level 3 (proficient after 3 years at Level 2): $90,362 per year ($1,731.70 per week, $45.57 per hour)
• Level 4 (proficient after 3 years at Level 3): $97,720 per year ($1,872.70 per week, $49.28 per hour)
• Level 5 (Highly Accomplished or Lead Teacher): $105,076 per year ($2,013.70 per week, $52.99 per hour)

These rates apply to teachers in preschools and schools. For long day care centres, the rates are slightly higher (e.g., Level 1 at $78,979 per year). The award also specifies casual rates: a casual engaged for less than five consecutive days is paid no higher than Level 3, with a 25% loading on the daily rate. Part-time employees are paid pro rata.

Importantly, the award minimum is a floor. Employers must pay at least these rates, but enterprise agreements or individual contracts can set higher amounts. The national minimum wage ($26.44 per hour from 1 July 2026) does not apply to award-covered teachers because the award rate is higher.

Enterprise Agreements: Victorian Government Schools Agreement 2026

Most secondary school teachers in Victorian government schools are covered by the Victorian Government Schools Agreement 2026, a single-enterprise agreement approved by the Fair Work Commission and expiring on 10 August 2030. This agreement replaces the award for those employees and typically includes higher salary scales, additional allowances, and improved conditions. The exact salary figures are not publicly available in the search results, but enterprise agreements in the education sector often provide annual increases above the award. Teachers should check their employment contract or union for the specific rates under this agreement.

Private and independent schools in Victoria may have their own enterprise agreements or rely on the award. Always confirm which instrument applies to your employment.

Survey Averages: What the ABS Reports

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) publishes average earnings data that can give context. As of May 2026, full-time adult ordinary-time earnings across all industries were $2,083.70 per week nationally. The average total earnings (including part-time and casual) were $1,579.20 per week. These figures are not specific to secondary teachers in Victoria, but they show that the award minimum for a Level 1 teacher ($1,455.40 per week) sits below the national full-time average, while Level 5 ($2,013.70 per week) is close. Enterprise agreement rates may push pay above the average.

Superannuation: An Employer Payment on Top

All minimum rates and salaries quoted are before tax and do not include superannuation. Under the Superannuation Guarantee, employers must contribute 12% of ordinary time earnings to a super fund on top of the base salary. For a Level 1 teacher on $75,941, that adds $9,112.92 per year in super contributions. This is not part of the take-home pay but is a compulsory benefit.

How to Find Your Correct Pay Floor

To determine which pay floor applies to you, start by checking if you are covered by a modern award. The Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020 covers most teachers in the school education industry. If you work for a Victorian government school, the Victorian Government Schools Agreement 2026 likely applies. If you are award- or agreement-free, the national minimum wage ($26.44 per hour) is the fallback, but this is rare for qualified teachers. For more guidance, see Which minimum wage applies and Rate tables on this site.

Common Confusions

People often mix up the award minimum with the national minimum wage. The award rate for a Level 1 teacher ($38.30 per hour) is well above the national minimum ($26.44). Another confusion is assuming the award rate is the same as the enterprise agreement rate. In Victoria, government school teachers are almost always on a higher enterprise agreement. Finally, survey averages like the ABS figures are not legal minimums; they reflect what people actually earn, which can be higher or lower depending on experience and location.

Summary

The secondary school teacher salary victoria floor is the Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020, with a Level 1 minimum of $75,941 per year plus super. Most government school teachers are covered by the Victorian Government Schools Agreement 2026, which pays more. Always verify your specific award or agreement through the Fair Work Ombudsman or your employer.

For the published floors, see the rate tables and how the figures work.