What is the current teachers salary Victoria under the award?

Under the Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020, as of 1 July 2026, a full-time graduate teacher (Level 1) in a preschool or school receives a minimum annual salary of $75,941 ($1,455.40 per week). In a long day care centre the minimum is $78,979 ($1,513.60 per week). Higher classifications (Level 2 to Level 5) attract progressively higher minimums, up to $105,076 per year for a Highly Accomplished/Lead Teacher in a school.

How does the Victorian Government Schools Agreement affect pay?

The Victorian Government Schools Agreement 2026 is a single-enterprise agreement that covers teachers employed by the Victorian government school system. It sets pay rates that are higher than the award minimums. The exact salary figures are not published in the Fair Work Commission's public summary, but enterprise agreements typically exceed award rates. Teachers in government schools should refer to their agreement or consult their employer for precise figures.

Is superannuation included in these figures?

No. The award rates and agreement salaries quoted are before superannuation. Under the Superannuation Guarantee, employers must pay an additional 12% of ordinary time earnings into a super fund on top of the salary. For example, a graduate teacher on the award minimum of $75,941 would receive an extra $9,112.92 in super contributions per year, making total remuneration about $85,054.

Teachers salary Victoria: Award rates and pay floors explained

The minimum annual salary for a graduate teacher in Victoria under the Educational Services Award is $75,941 (preschools/schools) or $78,979 (long day care), with higher rates for experienced teachers.

Understanding the teachers salary Victoria landscape

When searching for "teachers salary Victoria", it is important to distinguish between the legal minimum set by the award, the higher rates in enterprise agreements, and the actual average earnings reported by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. This guide explains each layer so you can identify which pay floor applies to your situation.

The award minimum: Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020

The Fair Work Commission's Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020 covers most teachers in private schools, independent schools, and early childhood education services in Victoria. The award sets minimum annual salaries that increase with experience and accreditation. As of 1 July 2026, the minimums for a full-time teacher in a preschool or school are:

Level 1 (graduate): $75,941 per year ($1,455.40 per week)
Level 2 (proficient): $83,004 per year ($1,590.70 per week)
Level 3 (proficient + 3 years): $90,362 per year ($1,731.70 per week)
Level 4 (proficient + 6 years): $97,720 per year ($1,872.70 per week)
Level 5 (Highly Accomplished/Lead): $105,076 per year ($2,013.70 per week)

Teachers in long day care centres receive an additional 4% loading because their ordinary hours differ. These rates are published by the Fair Work Ombudsman and are the legal minimum for award-covered employees. No employer can pay less than these figures, but they can pay more.

Enterprise agreements: Victorian Government Schools Agreement 2026

Teachers employed by the Victorian government are covered by the Victorian Government Schools Agreement 2026, which was approved by the Fair Work Commission and expires in 2030. This single-enterprise agreement overrides the award and typically provides higher salaries, better conditions, and additional allowances. The exact salary scales are not publicly listed in the award database, but they are negotiated between the Department of Education and teacher unions. If you work in a government school, your pay is determined by this agreement, not the award. Always check your employment contract or consult your union for your specific rate.

The national minimum wage as a backstop

For the very small number of teachers who are award-free and agreement-free (for example, some private tutors or very small independent schools), the national minimum wage applies. From 1 July 2026, the adult national minimum is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week, with a casual loading of 25% ($33.05 per hour). However, almost all teaching roles are covered by either the award or an enterprise agreement, so the national minimum is rarely the relevant floor for a qualified teacher.

How superannuation fits in

All salary figures mentioned above are base pay. Under the Superannuation Guarantee, employers must contribute an additional 12% of ordinary time earnings into a superannuation fund. This is not deducted from your salary; it is paid on top. For a graduate teacher on the award minimum, the employer super contribution adds about $9,113 per year, making total remuneration around $85,054.

Comparing with average earnings

The Australian Bureau of Statistics reported that in May 2026, full-time adult average weekly ordinary-time earnings were $2,083.70, and all employees average total earnings were $1,579.20 per week. The award minimum for a graduate teacher ($1,455.40) is below the all-employees average, but experienced teachers at Level 4 or 5 earn above that average. This highlights the importance of career progression in teaching.

Which rate applies to you?

To determine your pay floor, first check if you are covered by a modern award. Most teachers in non-government schools and early childhood centres are covered by the Educational Services Award. If you work for the Victorian government, the Victorian Government Schools Agreement applies. If you are covered by an enterprise agreement, that agreement sets the minimum. If none of these apply (rare), the national minimum wage is the backstop. For more detail on how pay floors work, see our Which minimum wage applies guide and Rate tables for other industries.

Summary

Award minimum (private/independent schools): $75,941 to $105,076 per year depending on level.
Enterprise agreement (government schools): Higher than award, exact figures in the Victorian Government Schools Agreement 2026.
National minimum (award-free only): $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week.
Superannuation: 12% on top of base salary.

Always verify your classification and applicable instrument with your employer or the Fair Work Ombudsman. The figures in this guide are current from 1 July 2026 and reflect the latest award variations.

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