Average line

HomeGuides

VPS 4 Salary 2026: How It Compares to the National Average

The VPS 4 salary range of $100,894 to $114,476 straddles the national full-time average of $108,352, with lower steps below and higher steps above.

This sits on the Australian full-time average.

Week, hour, and a tax sketch

$2,084 a week · $54.83 an hour if spread over 38 hours

About $83,159 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

VPS 4 Salary 2026: Where It Sits Against the National Average

The Victorian Public Service (VPS) Grade 4 salary for 2026 ranges from $100,894 to $114,476 per year, effective 1 May 2026 under the Victorian Public Service Enterprise Agreement 2024. This range places the classification squarely around the national full-time adult average ordinary-time earnings of $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). Whether your pay falls above or below that line depends on your step within the grade, your performance progression, and other factors.

The National Benchmark

The ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026 reports that full-time adult ordinary-time earnings (seasonally adjusted) rose 3.7% annually to $2,083.70 per week. Multiplying by 52 weeks gives an annual figure of roughly $108,352. This is the line that this site uses to compare salaries. It is an average, not a median; the full-time median is lower at about $90,532 (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025). The VPS 4 range sits above that median for all steps.

VPS 4 Steps and the Average

The VPS 4 grade has seven pay points (4.1.1 to 4.1.7) under the enterprise agreement. From 1 May 2026:

  • Step 4.1.1: $100,894
  • Step 4.1.2: $103,159
  • Step 4.1.3: $105,423
  • Step 4.1.4: $107,681
  • Step 4.1.5: $109,949
  • Step 4.1.6: $112,212
  • Step 4.1.7: $114,476

Only steps 4.1.1 through 4.1.3 fall below the national average of $108,352. Steps 4.1.4 and above exceed it. The midpoint of the range (around $107,685) is very close to the national figure. So a VPS 4 employee at the middle step is essentially on the line, while those at the top are comfortably above.

What Moves Pay Above or Below the Average

Progression within the grade is the primary lever. The enterprise agreement provides for annual step increases based on performance assessment. An employee who consistently meets expectations will move up one step each year until reaching the top of the grade. At the top step, you are about $6,100 above the national average.

Value ranges and specialist roles also matter. The VPS 4 classification is a single value range (4.1) with no separate higher range, unlike VPS 5 and above which have multiple value ranges. However, some agencies may offer market loadings or allowances for hard-to-fill roles, which could push total remuneration further above the average.

Location is another factor. The Victorian full-time average is about $106,137 (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026, state breakdown), which is slightly below the national average. A VPS 4 at step 4.1.3 ($105,423) is just under the state average, while step 4.1.4 ($107,681) and above exceed it. If you work in Melbourne, the cost of living may be higher, but the salary is set by the state-wide agreement.

Enterprise agreement increases are scheduled: 3% from 1 May 2027, the last of four annual 3% rises in the 2024 agreement. That will lift the entire VPS 4 range to between $103,921 and $117,910, pushing even the lowest step above the current national average (assuming the average also rises). However, the national average may increase by a different percentage by then.

Comparison to Other Benchmarks

  • National minimum wage: From 1 July 2026, the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour, or about $52,255 per year on a 38-hour week. The VPS 4 minimum is nearly double that.
  • Award minimums: Award rates rose 4.75% from 1 July 2026, but VPS 4 is covered by an enterprise agreement, not a modern award.
  • Full-time median: The full-time median of about $90,532 is well below the VPS 4 floor.
  • All-employees median: About $74,100, also below.

Tax Implications

For 2026–27, the resident tax rates are: nil up to $18,200; 15% from $18,201 to $45,000; 30% from $45,001 to $135,000; 37% from $135,001 to $190,000; 45% above $190,000. Plus the Medicare levy of 2% (before any reductions). A VPS 4 at any step falls within the 30% marginal bracket (since the top step is $114,476, below $135,000). So the marginal tax rate is 32% including Medicare. Take-home pay will be roughly 68–70% of gross, depending on deductions and offsets.

How This Site Works

You can place your VPS 4 salary on the line to see exactly how it compares to the national full-time average. The tool converts your annual salary to a weekly figure (based on a 38-hour week) and shows the distance from the average. It also displays the hourly rate and the equivalent for other benchmarks.

If you want to see how VPS 4 compares to other states, the states and territories page provides full-time averages for each jurisdiction. For example, the Australian Capital Territory average is about $119,090, which is higher than the top VPS 4 step, while Tasmania's average is about $96,008, lower than the VPS 4 minimum.

Other VPS Grades

The VPS structure runs from Grade 1 to Grade 7. For context:

  • VPS 3: $81,496 to $98,955 (below the national average)
  • VPS 5: $116,413 to $140,849 (above the national average at all steps)
  • VPS 6: $142,790 to $191,084 (well above)

So VPS 4 is the grade that straddles the national average, making it a useful benchmark for where public sector pay sits relative to the broader workforce.

Final Thoughts

Your VPS 4 salary in 2026 is likely to be close to the national full-time average, with the exact position depending on your step. Progression to higher steps, future enterprise agreement increases, and any additional allowances can move you above the line. Conversely, being at the lower steps or in a role without progression opportunities may keep you below. The key is to understand where your current pay point sits and what steps you can take to increase it.

For more detailed comparisons, explore the job medians and industry medians pages, which show typical earnings across different roles and sectors. And remember, the national average is updated twice a year (May and November) by the ABS, so the line moves over time.

Questions

What is the VPS 4 salary range for 2026?

From 1 May 2026, a Victorian Public Service (VPS) 4 classification earns between $100,894 and $114,476 per year, depending on the pay point. There are seven progression steps within the grade, as set out in the Victorian Public Service Enterprise Agreement 2024. The next scheduled increase is 3% from 1 May 2027.

How does VPS 4 pay 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). The VPS 4 range starts below that average and ends above it. A VPS 4 at the first step ($100,894) is about $7,500 below the national average, while at the top step ($114,476) it is about $6,100 above. The midpoint of the range is roughly $107,685, very close to the national figure.

What factors can move a VPS 4 employee above the national average?

Progression to a higher pay point within the VPS 4 grade is the main way to move above the average. Annual performance assessments determine step increases; reaching the top step puts you above the national average. Additionally, working in a specialised role or receiving a market loading (if applicable) could lift pay further. Location also matters: the Victorian full-time average is about $106,137, so a VPS 4 at the top step is well above the state average.

Related guides