What is the minimum hourly rate for a primary school teacher in Victoria?

Under the Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020, the minimum hourly rate for a full-time Level 1 (graduate) teacher in preschools and schools is $38.30 per hour as of 1 July 2026. For a Level 2 teacher (proficient accreditation) it is $41.86 per hour. These rates apply before any casual loading or penalty rates. The Victorian Government Schools Agreement 2026 may provide higher rates for government school teachers.

Do primary school teachers in Victoria get casual loading?

Yes. Casual teachers under the award receive a 25% loading on the daily rate. For a Level 1 casual teacher engaged for 5 or more consecutive days, the full-day rate is $363.85 (which is the weekly rate divided by 5 plus 25%). For engagements under 5 consecutive days, the rate is capped at Level 3. Casual loading is paid instead of annual leave and sick leave.

Primary school teacher salary Victoria: award rates and enterprise agreements explained

Q: How does the Victorian Government Schools Agreement 2026 affect pay?

The Victorian Government Schools Agreement 2026 is a single-enterprise agreement covering government school teachers in Victoria. It replaces the award for those employees and typically sets higher salaries, allowances, and conditions. The agreement was approved by the Fair Work Commission and expires in 2030. Teachers covered by this agreement should refer to its pay rates, which are above the award minimums.

The minimum weekly salary for a Level 1 (graduate) primary school teacher in Victoria under the award is $1,455.40 ($75,941 annually), plus 12% super, but the Victorian Government Schools Agreement 2026 may set higher rates.

Primary school teacher salary Victoria: what you need to know

If you are looking for the primary school teacher salary Victoria figures, the legal minimum is set by the Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020, but many teachers are covered by the Victorian Government Schools Agreement 2026, which can pay more. This guide separates the award floor from enterprise agreement rates and explains how superannuation and casual loading apply.

The award minimum for primary school teachers

The Fair Work Commission’s Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020 covers teachers in preschools, schools, and long day care centres across Australia. For a full-time primary school teacher in Victoria, the minimum weekly rates from 1 July 2026 are:

Level 1 (graduate teacher): $1,455.40 per week ($75,941 per year)
Level 2 (proficient accreditation): $1,590.70 per week ($83,004 per year)
Level 3 (three years at Level 2): $1,731.70 per week ($90,362 per year)
Level 4 (three years at Level 3): $1,872.70 per week ($97,720 per year)
Level 5 (highly accomplished/lead teacher): $2,013.70 per week ($105,076 per year)

These rates are for teachers in preschools and schools. Teachers in long day care centres receive an additional 4% (e.g., Level 1: $1,513.60 per week). The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes the official pay guide for this award.

Enterprise agreements: the Victorian Government Schools Agreement 2026

Most government primary school teachers in Victoria are covered by the Victorian Government Schools Agreement 2026, approved by the Fair Work Commission. This enterprise agreement overrides the award for its employees and typically includes higher salaries, improved conditions, and additional allowances. The exact rates are not published in the award summary, but teachers should check their employment contract or union for the current salary schedule. The agreement expires in August 2030.

How superannuation works

Employers must pay superannuation guarantee contributions on top of the salary. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee rate is 12% of ordinary time earnings. For a Level 1 teacher on the award minimum of $75,941, the employer would contribute an extra $9,112.92 per year into a super fund. This is not deducted from the salary; it is an additional payment.

Casual and part-time pay

Casual teachers receive a 25% loading on the daily rate. For a Level 1 casual teacher working a full day (7.6 hours), the minimum is $363.85. Part-time teachers are paid pro-rata of the full-time rate for the same classification. The award also includes penalty rates for Saturday work and overtime.

Comparing to the national minimum and averages

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week). Even the lowest teacher classification (Level 1 at $38.30 per hour) is well above this floor. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) May 2026 data, full-time adult ordinary-time earnings across all industries were $2,083.70 per week. A Level 1 teacher’s weekly award rate of $1,455.40 is below that average, but experienced teachers at Level 5 ($2,013.70) are close to the national average.

What if you are award-free or under a different agreement?

If you are a primary school teacher in a private school not covered by the Victorian Government Schools Agreement, you are likely covered by the Educational Services (Teachers) Award unless your employer has a separate enterprise agreement. Always check which instrument applies to you. The award is the legal minimum; your employer cannot pay less. For more details, see our Which minimum wage applies guide and Rate tables.

Key takeaways

The award minimum for a graduate primary school teacher in Victoria is $75,941 per year plus 12% super.
The Victorian Government Schools Agreement 2026 sets higher rates for government school teachers.
Casual loading is 25% on top of the daily rate.
Super is an employer payment on top, not deducted from the salary.
The award rates are updated each year on 1 July by the Fair Work Commission.

For the published floors, see the rate tables and how the figures work.