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Victoria Police salary: how it compares to the national full-time average

Victoria Police salaries range from $61,187 for recruits to $90,399 for first constables, with additional allowances, placing most officers below 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

Victoria Police salary and the national average

Victoria Police publishes clear salary figures for its officers, from recruit through to first constable. These base salaries sit below the national full-time average, but allowances and overtime can move total pay above the line. Understanding where police pay lands requires looking at the published rates, the enterprise agreement, and the broader earnings landscape.

Published salary steps

According to the Victoria Police website, the salary structure is:

  • Recruit: $61,187 per year from week one at the Academy.
  • Probationary Constable (after 12 weeks): $84,060 per year, plus allowances.
  • First Constable (after completing Diploma of Policing): $90,399 per year, plus allowances.

These figures are base salaries before tax and before any shift penalties or overtime. Victoria Police notes that salary progression is governed by the Victoria Police Force Enterprise Agreement and depends on role, duties, and performance.

How these compare to the national full-time average

The ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026 puts full-time adult ordinary-time earnings at $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year (multiplying by 52). The national full-time median is lower, at about $90,532 (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025).

A Victoria Police First Constable on $90,399 is just below the national full-time median and about $17,953 below the average. A Probationary Constable on $84,060 is about $24,292 below the average. Recruits are further below. However, these are base salaries. The enterprise agreement provides for shift allowances, overtime, and nine weeks of recreation leave (including lieu of public holidays and accrued time off). Officers working intrusive or unsociable hours attract additional payments that can substantially increase total earnings.

What moves pay above or below the average

Several factors determine whether a Victoria Police officer’s total pay exceeds the national full-time average:

  • Rank and experience: Progression to senior constable, sergeant, or higher ranks brings higher base salaries. The enterprise agreement sets out incremental steps.
  • Shift penalties: Working night shifts (intrusive hours) or evening/weekend shifts (unsociable hours) attracts allowances. Officers who regularly work these shifts can see their weekly pay rise significantly.
  • Overtime: Additional hours beyond the 80-hour fortnight attract overtime rates, boosting annual earnings.
  • Location: Officers in high-cost areas or with specific duties may receive additional allowances.
  • Years of service: Long-service leave and other benefits accrue over time, but these are leave entitlements rather than cash earnings.

Conversely, officers who work mostly standard hours without penalties may earn close to their base salary, keeping them below the national average. The base salary for a First Constable is about $1,738 per week (based on 52 weeks), which is below the national full-time ordinary-time average of $2,083.70 per week.

State context

Victoria’s state full-time average is about $106,137 (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026), slightly below the national average. A Victoria Police First Constable base salary of $90,399 is about $15,738 below the state average. With allowances, some officers may reach or exceed the state average.

For comparison, the national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or about $52,255 per year on a 38-hour week (Fair Work). All police salaries are well above this minimum.

Enterprise agreement and conditions

The Victoria Police (Police Officers, Protective Services Officers, Police Reservists and Police Recruits) Enterprise Agreement 2019, approved by the Fair Work Commission, sets out pay rates, allowances, and conditions. Officers are members of the Emergency Services Super Fund, with contributions that can be salary packaged. The agreement also provides for flexible working arrangements after 12 months of service.

Summary

Victoria Police salaries start below the national full-time average, but the combination of allowances, overtime, and rank progression can move total pay above the line. For a clear picture of where any specific role sits, use the interactive tool on Place a salary on the line to compare against the national average. For state-specific data, see Victoria. More detail on how the figures are set is available on How the figures are set.

Questions

What is the starting salary for a Victoria Police recruit?

Recruits are paid $61,187 per year from week one at the Academy, according to Victoria Police. After 12 weeks, upon swearing in as a Probationary Constable, the salary rises to $84,060 plus allowances. Once the Diploma of Policing is completed, officers progress to First Constable at $90,399 plus allowances.

How do allowances and overtime affect Victoria Police pay?

Victoria Police officers can earn shift penalties for intrusive hours (1am–7am) and unsociable hours (6pm–1am weekdays and weekends). Overtime payments also apply. These additional earnings can push total compensation above the base salary, potentially exceeding the national full-time average of $108,352 for officers in higher ranks or with significant penalty hours.

How does a Victoria Police salary compare to the national full-time average?

The national full-time adult average ordinary-time earnings are $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). A Victoria Police First Constable base salary of $90,399 is about $17,953 below that average. However, with allowances, overtime, and progression to higher ranks, some officers may earn above the average. The Victoria state full-time average is about $106,137.

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