Police officer salary Victoria: how the state and the award move the figure off the national line
When you search for a police officer salary in Victoria, the first thing to know is that the figure depends on rank, experience, and the specific enterprise agreement that covers the role. Unlike many occupations where a single award sets minimum rates, police pay is negotiated through the Victoria Police Enterprise Agreement, which includes base salaries, shift penalties, overtime, and generous leave. This article compares those salaries with the national full-time average published by the ABS and explains why a state-based agreement can push pay above or below the line.
Base salaries for Victoria Police officers
According to the Victoria Police website, the starting salary for a recruit is $61,187 from week one at the academy. After 12 weeks, when the recruit is sworn in as a probationary constable, the salary increases to $84,060. Once the Diploma of Policing is completed and the officer becomes a first constable, the base salary rises to $90,399. These figures are before any allowances, shift penalties, or overtime.
Salary progression continues according to the enterprise agreement, and officers can move into higher ranks such as senior constable, sergeant, or inspector, each with its own pay scale. The Victoria Police website notes that progression depends on role, duties, and performance.
How these salaries compare with the national average
The national full-time adult ordinary-time average is $2,083.70 a week, or about $108,352 a year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). A first constable's base salary of $90,399 is about 17% below that average. However, police officers do not rely solely on base pay. They receive shift allowances for working unsociable hours (6 pm to 1 am) and intrusive hours (1 am to 7 am), as well as overtime payments. The enterprise agreement also provides nine weeks of recreation leave per year, made up of five weeks annual leave, two weeks in lieu of public holidays, and 10 days accrued time off from the 38-hour week. These benefits add significant value to the total remuneration package.
When allowances and overtime are included, many police officers earn total earnings that exceed the national full-time average. The ABS average includes all full-time adults, not just those in uniformed roles, so comparisons should account for the different mix of base and penalty pay.
Victoria's state average and the police salary
Victoria's state full-time average is about $106,137 a year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026, original series). That is slightly below the national average of $108,352. A Victoria Police first constable's base salary of $90,399 is below the state average, but again, penalties and overtime can close the gap. For example, a constable working regular night shifts and weekends could easily add 15–20% to their base pay through allowances.
The state average itself is influenced by the mix of industries in Victoria. The state has a large public sector, including health, education, and public administration, which tend to pay above the national average in some roles but below in others. Police salaries are set by a state-specific enterprise agreement, not by a national award, which means they reflect local bargaining and cost-of-living considerations.
Why an enterprise agreement can move the figure off the national line
Most Australian employees are covered by modern awards that set minimum wages for an industry or occupation. Police officers, however, are covered by enterprise agreements negotiated between the employer and the union. These agreements can include higher base rates, more generous allowances, and better leave conditions than the relevant award. In Victoria, the enterprise agreement provides a structured pay progression that rewards experience and performance, rather than a flat rate for the job.
This means that a police officer's salary is not directly comparable to the national full-time average, which is a broad measure across all industries and occupations. The average includes high-paying roles in mining, finance, and professional services, as well as lower-paying roles in retail and hospitality. Police salaries sit in the middle, but with the added value of penalty rates and leave, the total package is competitive.
Other factors that affect police pay
- Shift penalties: Officers working unsociable or intrusive hours receive additional allowances. The exact rates are set out in the enterprise agreement.
- Overtime: Police are often required to work beyond ordinary hours, and overtime is paid at penalty rates.
- Superannuation: Victoria Police officers are members of the Emergency Services Super Fund, with contributions that can be salary packaged.
- Tax: Police pay income tax and the Medicare levy like any other employee. The 2026–27 tax rates apply: nil up to $18,200, 15% to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, 37% to $190,000, and 45% above that. The Medicare levy is 2% before any reductions.
- Leave: Nine weeks of recreation leave per year is significantly more than the standard four weeks in many industries.
Where to find more information
For a detailed breakdown of police salaries and benefits, visit the Victoria Police website. To see how Victoria's average compares with other states, check our States and territories page. You can also Place a salary on the line to see how any figure compares with the national full-time average. For an explanation of how the ABS calculates average weekly earnings, see How the figures are set.
The bottom line
A Victoria Police officer's base salary starts below the national full-time average, but the total package including allowances, overtime, and leave can bring it close to or above the line. The enterprise agreement structure means police pay is not directly comparable to award-based occupations, and the state-specific nature of the agreement reflects local conditions. If you are considering a career in policing, the starting salary is competitive, and the progression opportunities are clear.
For more on Victoria's labour market, visit Victoria. For industry comparisons, see Industry medians. And for guides on how salaries are set, see Guides.