Primary School Teacher Salary Victoria: Award Minimums and Take-Home Pay Compared to the National Average
Award Minimums for Primary School Teachers in Victoria
Primary school teachers in Victoria are covered by the Educational Services (Teachers) Award [MA000077], set by Fair Work. The award prescribes minimum weekly and annual salaries for full-time teachers in preschools and schools. As of 1 July 2026, the minimum rates are:
- Level 1 (graduate teacher): $1,455.40 per week, $75,941 per year
- Level 2 (proficient accreditation): $1,590.70 per week, $83,004 per year
- Level 3 (proficient after 3 years at Level 2): $1,731.70 per week, $90,362 per year
- Level 4 (proficient after 3 years at Level 3): $1,872.70 per week, $97,720 per year
- Level 5 (Highly Accomplished/Lead Teacher): $2,013.70 per week, $105,076 per year
These are the legal minimums. Actual salaries may be higher under enterprise agreements or individual contracts. The award also covers long day care centres with slightly higher rates.
How This Compares to the National Full-Time Average
The ABS Average Weekly Earnings for May 2026 reports national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year (multiplying by 52). This is the reference line on this site. A Level 5 teacher at $105,076 is just 3% below the national average, while a Level 1 teacher at $75,941 is about 30% below. The Victoria state full-time average is about $106,137, so a Level 5 teacher is close to the state average.
Take-Home Pay After Tax and Medicare
Using the 2026-27 resident tax rates (nil to $18,200; 15% to $45,000; 30% to $135,000; 37% to $190,000; 45% above) and the 2% Medicare levy, here are estimated take-home amounts for two award levels:
| Classification | Annual Salary | Tax | Medicare | Take-Home Pay | Weekly Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 3 | $90,362 | $17,629 | $1,807 | $70,926 | $1,364 |
| Level 5 | $105,076 | $22,043 | $2,102 | $80,931 | $1,556 |
These are before any other deductions such as HECS-HELP repayments, salary sacrifice, or private health insurance. The take-home pay for a Level 5 teacher is about 75% of the national full-time average after tax.
Comparison with Other Benchmarks
The full-time median salary in Australia is about $90,532 (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025). A Level 3 teacher at $90,362 is just below that median. The all-employees median is about $74,100, so even a Level 1 teacher at $75,941 is slightly above. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, about $52,255 per year on 38 hours. All award rates are well above the minimum wage.
State and Territory Context
Victoria's full-time average of about $106,137 is slightly below the national average. The ACT has the highest state average at $119,090, while Tasmania is lowest at $96,008. A primary school teacher in Victoria at Level 5 ($105,076) is close to the state average, while a Level 1 teacher is about 28% below it.
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Summary
Primary school teacher salaries in Victoria are set by a national award with minimums from $75,941 to $105,076. The top level is near the national full-time average of $108,352. Take-home pay after tax ranges from about $71,000 to $81,000 per year. For more comparisons, see the job medians or industry medians.