Victorian teacher salary: How to check your pay against the award minimum

Understanding the Victorian teacher salary floor

If you are looking up the victorian teacher salary, the first thing to know is which pay floor applies. Most Victorian teachers are covered by the Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020, a modern award set by the Fair Work Commission. This award sets minimum salaries for teachers in schools, preschools, and long day care centres. The rates are updated each year following the Annual Wage Review. From 1 July 2026, the minimum annual salary for a graduate teacher (Level 1) in a Victorian school is $75,941, or $1,455.40 per week. That works out to about $38.30 per hour for a 38‑hour week.

The award minimum for Victorian teachers

The award classifies teachers from Level 1 (graduate) to Level 5 (highly accomplished/lead teacher). Each level has a higher minimum. For example, a teacher with proficient accreditation (Level 2) earns at least $83,004 per year in a school. After three years at Level 2, the teacher moves to Level 3 ($90,362), and so on. Teachers in long day care centres receive an extra 4% because their ordinary hours differ. The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes a pay guide for this award that shows all the rates and allowances. You can use the Rate tables on this site to compare your salary to the award minimum.

How the award rate compares to the national minimum wage

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for a full‑time adult. The award minimum for a graduate teacher is about 45% higher than the national minimum. That means even the lowest‑paid teacher under the award is well above the legal floor. However, not every worker is covered by an award. If a teacher is award‑free (rare in Victoria), the national minimum wage would apply. But the award covers most teachers in the state, so the award rate is the relevant minimum.

What about average earnings?

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reports that full‑time adult ordinary‑time earnings in May 2026 were $2,083.70 per week. That is higher than the award minimum for a Level 5 teacher ($2,013.70 per week in a school). So while the award sets a floor, many teachers earn above it, especially those with experience or in leadership roles. Enterprise agreements in some Catholic and independent schools can push salaries higher. The award is a safety net, not a ceiling.

Practical check: converting your salary to an hourly rate

To check if your Victorian teacher salary meets the award, convert your annual salary to an hourly rate. Divide the annual figure by 52.18 (weeks per year) and then by 38 (ordinary hours per week). For example, a $75,941 annual salary gives $75,941 ÷ 52.18 ÷ 38 = $38.30 per hour. Compare that to the award rate for your classification. If your hourly rate is lower, your employer may be underpaying you. Remember that superannuation is paid on top of your salary – at least 12% from 1 July 2026 – so your total remuneration is higher than the cash salary. For more on how these calculations work, see How the figures work.

Superannuation is extra

When discussing the victorian teacher salary, always remember that super is an employer payment on top of the quoted salary. The Superannuation Guarantee requires employers to contribute 12% of ordinary time earnings to a super fund. So if your salary is $75,941, your employer pays an additional $9,112.92 into super. That brings the total cost to the employer to about $85,054. The award itself does not set super rates; it refers to the Superannuation Guarantee legislation.

When the award doesn't apply

The Educational Services (Teachers) Award covers most teachers in Victorian schools, preschools, and long day care centres. But some teachers are covered by enterprise agreements that can set higher rates. Public school teachers in Victoria are covered by the Victorian Government Schools Agreement, which typically pays above the award. Independent schools often have their own agreements. If you are unsure which instrument covers you, check your employment contract or ask your employer. The award is a backstop – it applies only if no other agreement or award covers you. For more guidance, see Which minimum wage applies.

In summary, the victorian teacher salary floor is the award minimum, which is well above the national minimum wage. Use the award rates to check your pay, and remember that super is extra. If you earn less than the award, you may have a claim for underpayment.