Primary teacher salary in Victoria: where it stands
If you're looking at a primary teacher salary in Victoria, the most useful benchmark is the national median for the occupation. According to the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, the median full-time weekly earnings for primary school teachers (ANZSCO 2412) is $2,226. That works out to about $115,752 a year before tax. This figure is for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate, so it reflects typical earnings rather than the top or bottom of the range.
How does that compare to the national full-time average? The ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026, puts the full-time adult ordinary-time average at $2,083.70 a week (about $108,352 a year). So the typical primary teacher earns about $142 a week more than the average full-time worker. That's a solid position above the line.
For Victoria specifically, the state full-time average across all occupations is $2,041.10 a week (about $106,137 a year), a little below the national average. The ABS doesn't publish a state-level median for primary teachers, but the national median is a reasonable guide for Victoria given the state employs about 24% of primary teachers nationally.
Award minimums vs typical pay
The Fair Work Educational Services (Teachers) Award sets minimum rates for teachers in preschools and schools. As of the latest pay guide (published March 2026, rates effective from July 2022), full-time weekly pay ranges from:
- Level 1: $1,223.50 ($32.20 per hour)
- Level 2: $1,337.30 ($35.19 per hour)
- Level 3: $1,455.80 ($38.31 per hour)
- Level 4: $1,574.40 ($41.43 per hour)
- Level 5: $1,692.90 ($44.55 per hour)
These are minimums. Most experienced primary teachers in Victoria earn well above Level 5, often through enterprise agreements or school-specific pay scales. The national median of $2,226 is about 32% above the top award rate, reflecting years of experience and additional responsibilities.
A resident take-home sketch
Let's sketch what a primary teacher on the national median might take home in Victoria, using 2026–27 resident tax rates:
- Annual salary: $115,752 ($2,226 × 52)
- Tax on first $18,200: $0
- Tax on $18,201–$45,000: $4,020 (15% of $26,800)
- Tax on $45,001–$115,752: $21,225.60 (30% of $70,752)
- Medicare levy (2%): $2,315
- Total tax + Medicare: ~$27,561
- After-tax income: ~$88,191 per year, or about $1,696 per week
This is before any deductions like HECS-HELP, salary sacrifice, or private health insurance. It's a useful ballpark for comparing with other roles.
How it fits with other benchmarks
- National full-time average: $2,083.70/week – primary teachers are above this.
- Full-time median (all occupations): about $1,741/week ($90,532/year) – primary teachers are well above.
- All-employees median: about $1,425/week ($74,100/year) – primary teachers are far above.
- National minimum wage (from 1 July 2026): $26.44/hour, $1,004.90/week, $52,255/year – primary teachers earn more than double.
Where to go next
- Place a salary on the line to see how your pay compares to the national average.
- Victoria for state-specific averages and resources.
- Job medians to explore other occupations.
- Guides for more on interpreting salary data.
The bottom line
A primary teacher salary in Victoria, based on the national median, sits comfortably above the national full-time average. The award provides a safety net, but typical earnings reflect the value placed on education professionals. For the most current Victorian-specific data, check enterprise agreements or the Victorian Department of Education pay scales.