VPS 6 Salary: How It Compares with Australia’s Minimum Wage
The VPS 6 salary is set by the Victorian Public Service Enterprise Agreement, not the national minimum wage. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, but VPS 6 rates are significantly higher.
Understanding the VPS 6 Salary
If you are searching for the vps 6 salary, you are likely looking at a classification level within the Victorian Public Service. This guide explains how that salary relates to Australia’s minimum wage framework, what pay floor applies, and what you should know about entitlements.
What Is the VPS 6 Salary?
The VPS 6 classification is a senior role in the Victorian Public Service. Its salary is not set by the national minimum wage or a modern award. Instead, it is determined by the Victorian Public Service Enterprise Agreement, which is a registered agreement under the Fair Work Act. That agreement specifies minimum pay rates for each classification, including VPS 6. Because enterprise agreements are negotiated, the actual salary can vary between departments or agencies, but it must be at least the rate in the agreement.
The National Minimum Wage as a Floor
For employees not covered by any award or agreement, the national minimum wage applies. From 1 July 2026, the Fair Work Commission set that rate at $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour week. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, bringing the casual rate to $33.05 per hour. However, VPS employees are covered by an enterprise agreement, so the national minimum wage does not directly apply to them. The agreement’s rates must be at least as high as the national minimum wage, and in practice they are much higher.
Separating the Legal Minimum from a Survey Average
It is important to distinguish between:
- Legal minimum: The national minimum wage or the minimum rate in an award/agreement.
- Survey average: The ABS publishes average weekly earnings. In May 2026, full-time adult ordinary-time earnings averaged $2,083.70 per week, and all employees averaged $1,579.20 per week.
- Award rate: Most industries have a modern award that sets minimum pay for each job classification.
- Negotiated salary: The VPS 6 salary is a negotiated rate under an enterprise agreement, which is higher than the award or national minimum.
For VPS 6, the relevant figure is the enterprise agreement rate, not the national minimum or a survey average.
Superannuation Is Paid on Top
When discussing any salary in Australia, remember that the superannuation guarantee is an employer contribution on top of the base salary. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee rate is 12% of ordinary time earnings. So if your VPS 6 base salary is, say, $120,000 per year, your employer must also pay $14,400 into your super fund. This is not deducted from your salary; it is an additional payment.
How to Check the Current VPS 6 Rate
Because the VPS 6 salary comes from an enterprise agreement, you need to refer to the specific agreement covering your role. The Fair Work Commission’s website lists registered agreements, and the Victorian Public Sector Commission may also publish pay schedules. If you are unsure which agreement applies, ask your employer or union.
Related Guides on This Site
- Which minimum wage applies – Find out if you are covered by the national minimum wage, a modern award, or an enterprise agreement.
- Rate tables – See current minimum wage rates for award-free employees, juniors, and casuals.
FAQs
What is the VPS 6 salary? VPS 6 is a classification level in the Victorian Public Service. Its salary is set by the Victorian Public Service Enterprise Agreement, which is negotiated between the employer and employee representatives. The exact rate depends on the specific role and the agreement’s pay schedule. It is not a fixed amount set by the Fair Work Commission.
Does the national minimum wage apply to VPS 6 employees? No. The national minimum wage applies to employees not covered by an award or registered agreement. VPS employees are covered by the Victorian Public Service Enterprise Agreement, which provides higher minimum pay rates. The national minimum wage acts as a floor, but the agreement rate must be at least that amount.
How does the VPS 6 salary compare with the national minimum wage? The VPS 6 salary is well above the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour (from 1 July 2026). For example, the ABS reported average full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $2,083.70 per week in May 2026, and VPS 6 roles typically exceed that. The exact difference depends on the agreement’s pay rates.
For the published floors, see the rate tables and how the figures work.
Questions people ask next
What is the VPS 6 salary?
VPS 6 is a classification level in the Victorian Public Service. Its salary is set by the Victorian Public Service Enterprise Agreement, which is negotiated between the employer and employee representatives. The exact rate depends on the specific role and the agreement’s pay schedule. It is not a fixed amount set by the Fair Work Commission.
Does the national minimum wage apply to VPS 6 employees?
No. The national minimum wage applies to employees not covered by an award or registered agreement. VPS employees are covered by the Victorian Public Service Enterprise Agreement, which provides higher minimum pay rates. The national minimum wage acts as a floor, but the agreement rate must be at least that amount.
How does the VPS 6 salary compare with the national minimum wage?
The VPS 6 salary is well above the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour (from 1 July 2026). For example, the ABS reported average full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $2,083.70 per week in May 2026, and VPS 6 roles typically exceed that. The exact difference depends on the agreement’s pay rates.
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