VPS 4 salary and the Australian full-time average
If you are a Victorian public servant at the VPS 4 classification, your pay is set by the Victorian Public Service Enterprise Agreement 2024. From 1 May 2026, a VPS 4 earns between $100,894 and $114,476 per year, depending on your progression step. This article looks at where that range sits against the national full-time average, using the latest official data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
The VPS 4 salary range in 2026
The VPS 4 classification has seven pay points (4.1.1 to 4.1.7). The current rates, effective from 1 May 2026, are:
- 4.1.1: $100,894
- 4.1.2: $103,159
- 4.1.3: $105,423
- 4.1.4: $107,681
- 4.1.5: $109,949
- 4.1.6: $112,212
- 4.1.7: $114,476
These figures come from the Victorian Public Service Enterprise Agreement 2024, as published by FairWorkMate. The next rise of 3% is scheduled for 1 May 2027.
How VPS 4 compares to the national full-time average
The ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026 reports that full-time adult ordinary time earnings averaged $2,083.70 per week nationally. Multiplying by 52 weeks gives an annual figure of about $108,352. This is the benchmark used by Average line to show where a salary sits on the line.
A VPS 4 at the lowest step (4.1.1) earns about $100,894 – roughly $7,458 below the national average. At the top step (4.1.7), the salary of $114,476 is about $6,124 above the average. The midpoint of the VPS 4 range is around $107,685, which is very close to the national average. So a VPS 4 officer at step 4.1.4 ($107,681) is almost exactly on the line.
For context, the full-time median earnings (all employees) are lower: about $90,532 per year (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025). The all-employees median (including part-time) is about $74,100. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or about $52,255 per year on a 38-hour week.
State and sector context
Victoria’s full-time average earnings are about $106,137 per year, slightly below the national average. A VPS 4 at step 4.1.1 ($100,894) is below the Victorian average, while steps 4.1.4 and above exceed it. The public sector nationally has a higher average full-time ordinary time earnings of $2,263.10 per week (about $117,681 per year), reflecting the generally higher pay in government roles. VPS 4 sits below that public sector average, but it is a mid-level classification.
Other states vary: New South Wales averages about $109,658, Queensland about $106,064, Western Australia about $115,825, and Tasmania about $96,008. A VPS 4 at the top step would be above the average in most states except WA and the ACT.
Tax on a VPS 4 salary
For the 2026–27 income year, resident tax rates are:
- Nil on the first $18,200
- 15% on income from $18,201 to $45,000
- 30% on income from $45,001 to $135,000
- 37% on income from $135,001 to $190,000
- 45% on income above $190,000
A VPS 4 salary falls entirely within the 30% marginal tax bracket. The Medicare levy of 2% also applies, though some taxpayers may qualify for reductions. After tax and Medicare, a VPS 4 at step 4.1.1 would take home roughly $78,000–$79,000, depending on deductions and offsets.
Where to next?
If you want to see how your own salary compares to the national average, you can place a salary on the line. For a breakdown of averages by state and territory, visit the states and territories page. The figures used here are drawn from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026, and the Victorian Public Service Enterprise Agreement 2024.
Key points to remember
- The national full-time average is about $108,352 per year (ABS, May 2026).
- VPS 4 salaries range from $100,894 to $114,476 from 1 May 2026.
- The lower steps are below average; the upper steps are above average.
- The next VPS increase is 3% from 1 May 2027.
- Tax rates for 2026–27 place VPS 4 in the 30% bracket plus 2% Medicare levy.
Understanding where your pay sits relative to the national average can help with career planning and salary negotiations. The VPS 4 classification offers a clear progression path that moves from below to above the line.