Average line

HomeGuidesJob pay

Teacher salary Victoria: How it compares to the national full-time average

The minimum award rate for a Level 1 teacher in Victoria is $75,941 a year, well below the national full-time average of $108,352, but the broader education industry average is about $114,291, and actual teacher salaries in Victoria often exceed the average through enterprise agreements.

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

Teacher salary Victoria: Where it sits against the national average

If you're looking at a teacher salary in Victoria, the first thing to know is that there isn't one single figure. The pay depends on the sector (government, Catholic, independent), the teacher's classification, and years of experience. But we can compare the available benchmarks against the national full-time average of $108,352 a year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026).

The award minimums are below the average

The Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020, set by Fair Work, provides the legal minimum for teachers in preschools and schools not covered by an enterprise agreement. For a full-time teacher in a preschool or school, the minimum weekly rates (from 1 July 2026) are:

  • Level 1 (graduate): $1,455.40 a week, $75,941 a year
  • Level 2 (proficient): $1,590.70 a week, $83,004 a year
  • Level 3 (proficient + 3 years): $1,731.70 a week, $90,362 a year
  • Level 4 (proficient + 6 years): $1,872.70 a week, $97,720 a year
  • Level 5 (Highly Accomplished/Lead): $2,013.70 a week, $105,076 a year

All of these are below the national full-time average of $108,352. Even the top award classification is about $3,276 short. However, most Victorian teachers are employed under enterprise agreements that pay significantly more than the award. For example, the Victorian Government Schools Agreement 2022 (still in effect) pays graduate teachers about $77,000–$80,000, and experienced teachers can reach $115,000 or more.

The education industry average is above the national line

The ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026 reports that full-time adult ordinary time earnings in the Education & training industry are $2,197.90 a week, or about $114,291 a year. That's about $5,939 above the national average. This industry includes teachers, lecturers, trainers, and education aides, so it's not a pure 'teacher salary Victoria figure, but it suggests that the typical education worker earns above the national line.

Place a salary on the line to see how your pay compares.

Victoria's state average is close to the national figure

Victoria's full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings are $2,041.10, or about $106,137 a year (ABS, May 2026). That's about $2,215 below the national average. So a teacher earning the state average would be slightly below the national line. But as we've seen, the education industry average is above both the state and national averages.

Victoria has a detailed breakdown of pay by sector.

What moves a teacher salary above or below the average?

Several factors can push a teacher's pay above or below the national full-time average:

  • Experience and classification: A graduate teacher on the award minimum is well below average. A teacher with proficient accreditation and several years of experience (Level 3 or 4) is closer to the average. A Highly Accomplished or Lead teacher (Level 5) is just below the average on award rates, but often above under enterprise agreements.
  • Sector: Government school teachers in Victoria generally pay more than the award minimums. Independent schools vary widely, and some pay above the award.
  • Location within Victoria: The ABS doesn't break down teacher pay by region within Victoria, but the ABS state table shows Victoria's average is $106,137. Teachers in regional or remote areas may receive additional allowances or higher pay.
  • Additional roles: Teachers who take on leadership roles (leading teacher, assistant principal, principal) earn significantly more. For example, a principal in a Victorian government school can earn $150,000–$200,000, well above the average.
  • Enterprise agreements: The current Victorian Government Schools Agreement (2022) provides annual salary increases and higher pay for teachers. For example, a classroom teacher at the top of the classroom teacher range (typically after 8 years) earns about $115,000, which is above the national average.

How to compare your teacher salary in Victoria

To see where your pay sits, you can:

  • Use the ABS Average Weekly Earnings for Education & training as a rough guide: $114,291 a year.
  • Check the Fair Work award minimums for your classification.
  • Look up your enterprise agreement if you're in a government school.
  • Industry medians for Education & training from the ABS Employee Earnings survey (August 2025) show a full-time median of about $90,532, which is lower than the average, indicating many education workers earn less than the average.

The bottom line

A teacher salary in Victoria can be below or above the national full-time average of $108,352. Graduate teachers on award minimums are well below. Experienced teachers under enterprise agreements, especially at higher classifications, often exceed the average. The education industry average sits above the national line, so if you're a teacher in Victoria, you're likely in an industry where the typical worker earns more than the national average.

How the figures are set explains the difference between averages and medians.

Guides have more on comparing salaries across industries.

Questions

What is the average teacher salary in Victoria?

The ABS does not publish a specific figure for 'teacher salary Victoria'. However, the ABS Average Weekly Earnings for the Education & training industry (May 2026) shows full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings of $2,197.90, which is about $114,291 a year. This includes all education workers, not just teachers. For minimum rates, the Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020 sets a Level 1 teacher (graduate) at $75,941 a year, but actual Victorian government school teachers are covered by enterprise agreements that pay more.

Is a teacher salary in Victoria above or below the national full-time average?

The national full-time adult ordinary-time average is $108,352 a year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). A graduate teacher on the award minimum ($75,941) is well below that average. However, the broader education industry average ($114,291) is above the national average. Experienced teachers in Victoria, especially at higher classification levels, often earn above the national average. For example, a Level 5 teacher under the award (Highly Accomplished/Lead) earns $105,076 a year, just below the national average, but actual enterprise agreement rates are typically higher.

How do teacher salaries in Victoria compare to the state average?

Victoria's full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings are $2,041.10, or about $106,137 a year (ABS, May 2026). The education industry average ($114,291) is above the state average, while the award minimum for a graduate teacher ($75,941) is below. Many Victorian teachers, especially those with experience, earn above the state average due to enterprise agreements and additional allowances.

Related guides