What is the legal minimum pay for a teachers aide in Victoria?

For award‑free and agreement‑free employees in the national system, the legal minimum is the national minimum wage: $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week (from 1 July 2026). However, many education aides are covered by a modern award (such as the Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020 or the Children’s Services Award) or an enterprise agreement that sets a higher minimum. You must check the specific award or agreement that applies to your role and employer.

How does the median salary for a teachers aide compare to the national minimum?

According to Jobs and Skills Australia data cited by the Victorian Government, the median weekly earnings for education aides across Australia is $1,098. That is about $93 per week above the national minimum wage of $1,004.90. The median is a survey average, not a legal floor; actual pay can vary by employer, experience, and location.

Do education aides receive superannuation on top of their salary?

Yes. Employers must pay the superannuation guarantee, currently 12% of ordinary time earnings, on top of the employee’s base pay. This applies to most employees, including education aides, regardless of whether they are paid at the national minimum, an award rate, or a higher negotiated salary. The super contribution is not deducted from the quoted wage; it is an additional payment into a super fund.

Teachers aide salary Victoria: legal minimum and median earnings

The national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week), but many education aides are covered by awards or agreements that set higher rates; the median weekly earnings for education aides across Australia is $1,098.

Teachers aide salary Victoria: what you need to know

If you are looking up a teachers aide salary Victoria, you need to separate the legal minimum from what people actually earn. The legal floor depends on whether you are covered by a modern award, an enterprise agreement, or no award at all. The median earnings give a broader picture of typical pay.

Legal minimum pay

For award‑free and agreement‑free employees in the national system, the national minimum wage applies. From 1 July 2026, that is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a full‑time employee working 38 ordinary hours. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, making the minimum $33.05 per hour.

However, many education aides in Victoria are covered by a modern award. The Fair Work Ombudsman administers the Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020, which covers teachers and also includes “teacher/integration aide, helper, classroom assistant” in children’s services and early childhood education. That award sets minimum rates for teachers at various levels, but does not have a specific classification for education aides. If you are covered by that award, your minimum rate will be the lowest classification that matches your duties – often the Level 1 rate for a graduate teacher, which is $1,455.40 per week ($75,941 per year) for preschools and schools, or $1,513.60 per week ($78,979 per year) for long day care centres (from 1 July 2026). If your role is not covered by that award, another award such as the Children’s Services Award 2010 or the Educational Services (Schools) General Staff Award 2020 may apply. Always check the correct award with your employer or the Fair Work Ombudsman.

Enterprise agreements can also set higher minimum rates. If you are covered by an agreement, that rate overrides the award.

Median earnings: what education aides actually earn

The Victorian Government, using Jobs and Skills Australia data, reports that the median weekly earnings for education aides across Australia is $1,098 (as of January 2025). That figure is a survey average – half earn more, half earn less. It is above the national minimum wage but below the award rate for a graduate teacher. Keep in mind that the median includes both full‑time and part‑time workers, and pay can vary by region, experience, and the type of school (government, Catholic, independent).

How superannuation fits in

All employers must pay the superannuation guarantee on top of your ordinary time earnings. The rate is currently 12%. So if your base pay is $1,098 per week, your employer must also contribute about $131.76 to your super fund. This is not deducted from your wage; it is an additional payment.

Comparing the figures

National minimum wage: $1,004.90 per week (award‑free)
Award minimum (Level 1 teacher in schools): $1,455.40 per week
Median earnings (education aides): $1,098 per week

The award minimum for a teacher is higher than the median for education aides, which suggests that many education aides are not classified as teachers and may be paid under a different award or at a lower level. If you are unsure which rate applies, consult your employer or the Fair Work Ombudsman.

For more detail on how minimum wages are set and how to find your correct rate, see our Which minimum wage applies guide and the Rate tables page.

Factors that can affect your pay

Age: Junior employees (under 21) who are award‑free can be paid a percentage of the adult national minimum. For example, a 17‑year‑old gets 57.8% ($15.29 per hour). Award junior rates may differ.
Casual loading: Casual employees get at least 25% on top of the minimum hourly rate.
Penalty rates: Some awards pay extra for evening, weekend, or public holiday work.
Experience and qualifications: More experienced or qualified aides may negotiate a higher salary.

Where to get reliable information

Fair Work Ombudsman – for award coverage, minimum rates, and pay calculators.
Fair Work Commission – sets the national minimum wage and reviews award rates annually.
Australian Bureau of Statistics – publishes average earnings data.
Victorian Government – provides career information and median salary data for education aides.

Remember that the figures on this site are for orientation only. They are not a pay determination or legal advice. Always check the specific award or agreement that applies to your job.

Frequently asked questions

(FAQs are listed in the structured data above.)

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