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Secondary school teacher salary Victoria: How it compares to the national average

The median full-time salary for secondary school teachers nationally is about $120,744 per year, well above the national full-time average of $108,352.

This is the Victoria full-time average. It sits $2,215 under the Australian full-time average, about 2.0% below the line.

Week, hour, and a tax sketch

$2,041 a week · $53.71 an hour if spread over 38 hours

About $81,653 after resident income tax and a 2% Medicare levy.

2026–27 resident rates and a 2% Medicare levy. Not a tax assessment.Open the full line

Where does a secondary school teacher salary in Victoria sit?

If you are looking at a secondary school teacher salary in Victoria, the most reliable national figure comes from the ABS. The median full-time earnings for secondary school teachers across Australia is $2,322 per week, or about $120,744 per year (based on 52 weeks). That is comfortably above the national full-time adult average of $2,083.70 per week ($108,352 per year).

But there is no published state-level figure for Victoria. The best we can do is compare the national teacher median with Victoria's overall full-time average, which is about $106,137 per year – slightly below the national average. This suggests that secondary teachers in Victoria are likely earning above the state's all-occupations average, but we cannot say by exactly how much.

How the national full-time average is measured

The Australian Bureau of Statistics publishes Average Weekly Earnings twice a year, for May and November. The May 2026 release shows full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings of $2,083.70. Multiplied by 52, that is roughly $108,352 a year. This is the figure this site uses as the 'line' – the benchmark for full-time pay.

Other key benchmarks:

  • Full-time median earnings (all occupations): about $90,532 per year (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025)
  • All-employees median: about $74,100 per year
  • National minimum wage from 1 July 2026: $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, about $52,255 per year on a 38-hour week

Secondary school teacher pay: national median

According to Jobs and Skills Australia, using ABS data from May 2025, the median full-time weekly earnings for secondary school teachers is $2,322. That is higher than the national full-time average of $2,083.70. It is also well above the all-occupations median of $1,852 per week.

Remember: the median is the middle point – half of full-time secondary teachers earn more, half earn less. The average (mean) could be different, but the ABS does not publish a separate average for this occupation.

Secondary school teachers also work slightly longer hours on average: 45 hours per week full-time, compared to 44 hours for all occupations. Their median hourly earnings are $64, against $47 for all occupations.

Award minimums for teachers

The Educational Services (Teachers) Award sets the legal minimum. For a full-time teacher in a school, weekly rates (from 1 July 2026) are:

  • Level 1: $1,223.50
  • Level 2: $1,337.30
  • Level 3: $1,455.80
  • Level 4: $1,574.40
  • Level 5: $1,692.90

These are far below the median of $2,322. Most teachers are covered by enterprise agreements that pay significantly more. The award is a safety net, not a reflection of typical pay.

What about Victoria specifically?

Victoria employs about 33% of Australia's secondary school teachers (the largest share of any state). The state's full-time average across all industries is about $106,137 per year, which is a little below the national average. However, because teaching is a profession with above-average pay, Victorian secondary teachers are likely earning above that state average.

Without a Victoria-specific teacher salary figure, the national median of $120,744 is the best guide. Teachers in Victoria may earn slightly more or less depending on experience, sector (government vs private), and location.

How your salary compares

You can place a salary on the line to see exactly how it measures up against the national full-time average. The tool also shows the weekly and hourly equivalent based on a 38-hour week.

For a broader view, see States and territories for full-time averages in each state, or Victoria for more detail on that state's labour market.

Summary

  • National full-time average: $108,352 per year
  • National median for secondary school teachers: $120,744 per year
  • Victoria's all-occupations full-time average: $106,137 per year
  • Award minimums start at $1,223.50 per week (about $63,622 per year)

A secondary school teacher in Victoria typically earns above the national full-time average, but the exact figure depends on experience, school type, and agreements. The national median is the most reliable benchmark available.

Questions

What is the average salary for a secondary school teacher in Victoria?

There is no published average or median salary specifically for secondary school teachers in Victoria. The national median full-time earnings for secondary school teachers is $2,322 per week, or about $120,744 per year, based on the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025. Victoria's full-time average across all occupations is about $106,137 per year, slightly below the national average.

How do award rates compare to actual salaries for secondary teachers?

The Educational Services (Teachers) Award sets minimum pay rates. For a full-time teacher, the award ranges from $1,223.50 per week (Level 1) to $1,692.90 (Level 5). These are much lower than the national median of $2,322 per week, because most teachers are paid above the award through enterprise agreements or individual contracts.

Is the median salary for secondary teachers above the national full-time average?

Yes. The national full-time adult average ordinary-time earnings is $2,083.70 per week ($108,352 per year). The median for secondary school teachers is $2,322 per week, which is about 11% higher. However, the median is a different measure – it means half of full-time secondary teachers earn more and half earn less.

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