Graduate teacher salary Victoria and the national full-time average
If you are looking up graduate teacher salary Victoria, the index does not hold a precise figure for that specific role. Instead, we can place it against the national full-time adult ordinary-time average of $108,352 per year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). That figure is the line on this site. To understand where a graduate teacher salary might sit, we need to look at the available benchmarks and consider what would push it above or below that line.
The national and state averages
The national full-time average is $108,352 a year, or $2,083.70 a week on a 38-hour week. Victoria’s full-time average is $106,137 a year, slightly lower. A graduate teacher salary in Victoria could be influenced by the state’s overall pay level, but it is not directly tied to it. The Victorian average includes all full-time workers, from entry-level to senior roles, so a graduate salary is likely below that state figure.
Medians and minimums as reference points
The full-time median across Australia is $90,532 a year (ABS Employee earnings, August 2025). That is a more typical full-time salary. The all-employees median (including part-time and casual) is $74,100. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $52,255 a year on 38 hours ($26.44 an hour). A graduate teacher salary in Victoria would almost certainly be above the minimum wage and likely above the all-employees median, but whether it clears the full-time median or the average depends on the specific pay scale.
What would move it above or below the average?
Several factors determine if a graduate teacher salary in Victoria lands above or below the $108,352 line:
- Sector and agreement: Government school teachers in Victoria are paid under the Victorian Government Schools Agreement. Graduate rates (Step 1) are typically in the mid-$70,000s to low-$80,000s range, well below the national average. Catholic and independent schools may offer slightly different rates, but still often below the average for a starting teacher.
- Experience and progression: After a few years, teachers move up the salary scale. A teacher at Step 5 or higher may exceed the average, but a graduate is unlikely to.
- Location within Victoria: The state average of $106,137 masks variation. Metropolitan Melbourne may have higher pay than regional areas, but graduate rates are usually set statewide.
- Allowances and overtime: Some teachers earn extra through coaching, leadership duties, or working additional hours. These could push total pay above the average, but base salary for a graduate remains modest.
Given the typical graduate teacher salary in Victoria is around $75,000 to $85,000, it sits below the national full-time average of $108,352. It is above the all-employees median ($74,100) and well above the minimum wage. To reach the average, a graduate would need significant allowances or rapid progression.
Using the index for your own salary
If you have a specific graduate teacher salary figure, you can place it on the line to see how it compares to the national average, the Victorian average, and the medians. The tool shows the weekly and hourly rate on a 38-hour week, plus the distance from the full-time average.
For more context on how Victoria compares to other states, see the Victoria page. You can also explore job medians for teaching roles if available, though the index does not currently publish a graduate teacher median.
Summary
The precise graduate teacher salary in Victoria is not in the index. Based on typical starting rates, it is below the national full-time average of $108,352 but above the minimum wage and the all-employees median. The Victorian full-time average of $106,137 is a closer state benchmark, but graduate pay still trails that figure. As teachers gain experience, their salary may cross the average line.