VPS 5 Salary 2026: How the Victorian Public Service Pay Rate Compares with the National Minimum Wage

VPS 5 Salary 2026: Understanding Your Pay Floor

If you are searching for the vps 5 salary 2026, you are likely a Victorian Public Service employee or someone considering a role at that classification. The VPS 5 salary is not set by the national minimum wage or a modern award; it is determined by the Victorian Public Service enterprise agreement. This guide explains how the VPS 5 rate relates to the legal minimum, what super you can expect, and how tax affects your weekly packet.

The National Minimum Wage vs. VPS Rates

From 1 July 2026, the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a 38‑hour week, as set by the Fair Work Commission. However, this floor applies only to employees not covered by an award or registered agreement. Most VPS employees are covered by the Victorian Public Service enterprise agreement, which sets minimum rates well above the national minimum. The Fair Work Ombudsman states that if you are covered by an enterprise agreement, you must check that agreement for your minimum pay rates.

The VPS 5 classification typically requires a degree or equivalent experience and involves professional or supervisory duties. The exact salary for 2026 is negotiated between the Victorian Government and unions, and it is usually published on the Victorian Government’s wages and salaries page. Because this guide relies on publicly available Fair Work and ABS data, we cannot provide the precise VPS 5 figure here. You should refer to your enterprise agreement or HR department.

How the VPS 5 Salary Compares with Award and Minimum Rates

Even though VPS 5 is above the national minimum, it is useful to understand the hierarchy of pay floors:

• National minimum wage: $26.44/h or $1,004.90/week for award‑free adults.
• Modern award minimum: Most awards increased by 4.75% from 1 July 2026, but the lowest ongoing classification cannot fall below the national minimum. Introductory rates (first 6 months) cannot be below $25.74/h or $978.10/week.
• Enterprise agreement: The VPS enterprise agreement sets higher rates than the relevant award (if any) and the national minimum. The base pay rate in an enterprise agreement cannot be less than the base rate in the relevant award.

For VPS 5, the enterprise agreement rate is significantly higher than any award rate. For example, the Clerks – Private Sector Award 2020 might cover some administrative roles, but VPS 5 is a professional classification with its own salary band.

Superannuation: An Employer Payment on Top

When discussing the vps 5 salary 2026, remember that superannuation is paid on top of your salary. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of your ordinary time earnings. So if your VPS 5 salary is $95,000 per year, your employer must contribute an additional $11,400 into your super fund. This is not deducted from your salary; it is an extra cost to the employer. The Australian Taxation Office enforces super guarantee obligations.

Tax and Your Weekly Packet

Your take‑home pay depends on your tax‑file number declaration and any offsets. For the 2026‑27 income year, resident tax rates with the full tax‑free threshold apply. Medicare levy is 2% once your annualised ordinary gross income reaches $30,000. The low‑income tax offset and other offsets may reduce your tax, but this guide does not model those. If your VPS 5 salary is, say, $95,000, your weekly gross would be about $1,826.92. After tax and Medicare, you would take home approximately $1,350 per week (estimate only). Super is additional and not included in your take‑home pay.

Where to Find the Exact VPS 5 Rate

Because the VPS 5 salary is set by an enterprise agreement, the most reliable source is the Victorian Government’s wages and salaries publication or your employer’s HR portal. The Fair Work Commission and Fair Work Ombudsman do not publish VPS rates. For general guidance on which minimum wage applies to you, see our Which minimum wage applies page. For more on how pay floors work, visit our Guides section.

Key Takeaways

• The vps 5 salary 2026 is not the national minimum wage; it is a classification rate under the Victorian Public Service enterprise agreement.
• The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44/h or $1,004.90/week, but VPS 5 is much higher.
• Super of 12% is paid on top of your salary.
• For the exact VPS 5 rate, consult your enterprise agreement or HR.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the VPS 5 salary for 2026?

The VPS 5 salary for 2026 is set by the Victorian Public Service enterprise agreement, which is negotiated between the Victorian Government and unions. The exact rate is not published in the Fair Work Ombudsman or Fair Work Commission materials, as those bodies cover the national minimum wage and modern awards. To find the current VPS 5 rate, you would need to check the Victorian Government's enterprise agreement or contact your HR department. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week, but VPS 5 roles are paid significantly more than that.

Does the national minimum wage apply to VPS employees?

No. Victorian Public Service employees are covered by the Victorian Government's enterprise agreement, not the national minimum wage or a modern award. The national minimum wage applies only to employees not covered by an award or registered agreement. The VPS enterprise agreement sets higher minimum rates, including classification-based salaries like VPS 5. The Fair Work Ombudsman explains that if you are covered by an enterprise agreement, you must check that agreement for your minimum pay rates.

How does superannuation work for VPS 5 employees?

Superannuation is paid on top of your VPS 5 salary. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee rate is 12% of your ordinary time earnings. This means if your VPS 5 salary is, say, $95,000 per year, your employer must contribute an additional $11,400 into your super fund. The super is not deducted from your salary; it is an extra payment. The Australian Taxation Office oversees super guarantee compliance.

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