Principal Salary Victoria: Where Does It Sit on the Line?
When you search for "principal salary Victoria," you are likely asking how this role compares to the national full-time average. The short answer is that principals in Victoria generally earn well above that line, but the exact figure is not published in the standard ABS or Fair Work datasets. This article explains what we know from the available data and what drives pay above or below the average.
The National Full-Time Average
The site's line is the ABS Average Weekly Earnings for full-time adult ordinary-time employees, May 2026: $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year (multiplied by 52). This is the benchmark. The full-time median (from ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025) is about $90,532, and the all-employees median is about $74,100. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, or about $52,255 per year on a 38-hour week.
For Victoria specifically, the state full-time average is $106,137 per year. That is slightly below the national average. So any role that pays above $106,137 is above the Victorian average, and above $108,352 puts it above the national line.
Where Principals Fit
Principal salaries in Victoria are not captured in a single public figure. The ABS does not break down occupations to the level of "principal" in its Average Weekly Earnings release. Fair Work awards cover some education roles, but school principals are typically covered by enterprise agreements or individual contracts.
For government school principals in Victoria, the Victorian Government Schools Agreement 2022 (still in effect as of 2026) sets salary ranges. According to that agreement, principal classifications range from Principal 1 to Principal 4, with salaries from around $130,000 to over $200,000. These figures are above both the Victorian average and the national average. Independent schools often pay more, sometimes exceeding $250,000 for large secondary schools.
Because these salaries are set by agreement and not by a national award, the exact average or median for all Victorian principals is not published. However, it is safe to say that most principals earn above the national full-time average line.
What Would Move This Pay Below the Average?
It is rare for a principal salary in Victoria to fall below the national average. The lowest principal classification in government schools is well above $106,137. However, if you consider assistant principals or deputy principals, those roles may sit closer to the line. The keyword "principal" could also refer to other industries—such as a principal engineer or principal consultant—where pay varies widely. In those cases, the salary might be below the average if the role is junior or in a low-paying sector.
For a school principal, the main factors that could push pay lower are:
- Small school size: A principal of a very small rural school may be on a lower band.
- Part-time or fractional appointment: Some principals work part-time, reducing annual earnings.
- New to the role: Entry-level principal positions start at the bottom of the scale.
Even so, the lowest government school principal salary in Victoria is still above the state average.
How to Compare Your Salary
If you are a principal in Victoria, you can place your salary on the line to see how it compares to the national average. You can also explore job medians for related education roles, though principal is not separately listed. For state-specific context, see Victoria.
Remember that the national average is a broad measure. Your own pay may be influenced by your school's sector, your experience, and your location. The Guides section has more on how salaries are set in different industries.
The Role of Awards and Agreements
Unlike many jobs, principal salaries are not set by a modern award. Fair Work's minimum wage and award increases (4.75% from 1 July 2026) affect lower-paid education staff, but principals are above award levels. Instead, enterprise agreements and individual contracts determine pay. The Victorian Government Schools Agreement is a key document for public school principals. Independent schools follow their own policies.
For tax purposes, a principal earning above $135,000 falls into the 30% marginal rate (plus 2% Medicare levy) for 2026–27. The tax-free threshold is $18,200, then 15% up to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, 37% to $190,000, and 45% above that.
Conclusion
While the exact "principal salary Victoria" figure is not published, the available data shows that the role consistently pays above the national full-time average of $108,352. The Victorian average of $106,137 is a useful local benchmark. If you are a principal, your salary is likely on the upper side of the line. For more precise comparisons, use the tools on this site or refer to your enterprise agreement.
For further reading, see How the figures are set and About this site.