Teacher salaries in Victoria: how they compare to the national line
When you search for "teacher salary vic", you're likely trying to see how Victorian teacher pay stacks up against the national average. The short answer is that Victoria's full-time average earnings are close to the national line, but teacher award rates span a wide range. This article uses the latest ABS and Fair Work data to show where the figures come from and why a state or an award can move the figure off the line.
The national average and the state figure
The national full-time adult average ordinary time earnings are $2,083.70 a week, or about $108,352 a year, according to the ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026. This is the line that this site uses as its benchmark. For Victoria, the state full-time average is $2,041.10 a week, or about $106,137 a year – about $2,200 below the national figure. That places Victoria slightly under the national line, but still above the national full-time median of about $90,532 (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025).
It's important to keep these figures distinct. The average is pulled up by high earners; the median tells you what a typical full-time worker earns. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 an hour, $1,004.90 a week, or about $52,255 a year on 38 hours – far below both the average and median.
Award minimums for teachers
Teacher salaries in Victoria are covered by the Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020. The award sets minimum weekly rates for full-time teachers in preschools and schools. As of 1 July 2026, the rates are:
- Level 1 (graduate teacher): $1,455.40 a week, $75,941 a year
- Level 2 (proficient): $1,590.70 a week, $83,004 a year
- Level 3 (proficient after 3 years at Level 2): $1,731.70 a week, $90,362 a year
- Level 4 (proficient after 3 years at Level 3): $1,872.70 a week, $97,720 a year
- Level 5 (highly accomplished/lead): $2,013.70 a week, $105,076 a year
These are minimums. Many Victorian teachers are paid above the award through enterprise agreements or individual contracts. The top award level ($105,076) is very close to the state average ($106,137), suggesting that experienced, highly accomplished teachers may earn around the state average, while graduate teachers start well below it.
Where Victoria sits
Victoria's full-time average of $106,137 is the fourth-highest among states and territories, behind the ACT ($119,090), Western Australia ($115,825), and New South Wales ($109,658). It is above Queensland ($106,064), South Australia ($102,450), the Northern Territory ($103,173), and Tasmania ($96,008). The national average is $108,352, so Victoria is about 2% below the line.
For a teacher, the state average includes all full-time workers, not just teachers. But it gives a sense of the overall earnings environment. If you are a teacher in Victoria, your salary will depend on your classification, experience, and employer. The award provides a floor; the state average gives a ceiling that many teachers may not reach unless they are at the top of the pay scale or in a leadership role.
Factors that move pay off the line
Several factors can push a teacher's salary away from the national line:
- Award classification: A graduate teacher at Level 1 earns about $75,941, well below the national average. A Level 5 teacher earns $105,076, close to the line.
- Sector: Teachers in the public sector (government schools) often have enterprise agreements that pay above the award. Private schools may pay more or less depending on the school.
- Location: Teachers in remote areas may receive additional allowances. Victoria's average is pulled up by Melbourne's higher wages, while regional teachers may earn less.
- Experience: The award recognises experience through progression from Level 1 to Level 4 over about 9 years. Beyond that, only highly accomplished teachers reach Level 5.
For a more detailed breakdown of how different occupations compare, see Job medians. To see how Victoria compares to other states, visit States and territories.
Understanding the data
The national average comes from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey, which is published twice a year (May and November). The most recent release is May 2026. The award rates are from Fair Work and apply from 1 July 2026. The state averages are from the same ABS release, but they are original (not seasonally adjusted and include all full-time adults.
If you are a Victorian teacher, your actual salary may be higher or lower than the figures here. The best way to check your position is to Place a salary on the line and see how it compares to the national average, the median, and the minimum wage.
Summary
Teacher salaries in Victoria are governed by a national award that sets minimums from $75,941 to $105,076 a year. The state's full-time average of $106,137 is slightly below the national line of $108,352. Most teachers will earn somewhere between the award minimum and the state average, depending on their classification and experience. The award provides a clear benchmark, but actual pay can vary by employer and location.