Victoria Police Salary: How It Compares to the National Minimum Wage

Victoria Police Salary: A Practical Check Against the Pay Floor

When you search for "victoria police salary", you are likely comparing a job offer or thinking about a career in policing. This guide explains the current pay rates for Victoria Police officers and how they stack up against Australia's legal minimum wage and award rates. The figures come directly from Victoria Police's official website and the Fair Work Commission.

The Legal Minimum: National Minimum Wage and Award Rates

Australia's national minimum wage is set by the Fair Work Commission. From 1 July 2026, the adult national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour ordinary week. Casual employees get an extra 25% loading, making the casual minimum $33.05 per hour. These rates apply to award-free and agreement-free national-system employees.

Modern award minimum wages also rose by 4.75% from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, but no ongoing classification can fall below the national minimum. An introductory rate (first six months) cannot be less than $25.74 per hour or $978.10 per week.

However, Victoria Police officers are not covered by a modern award. Their pay is governed by the Victoria Police Enterprise Agreement, which sets much higher rates. The enterprise agreement can require a higher rate than the national minimum, and it does.

Victoria Police Salary Structure

Victoria Police publishes clear salary steps on its website. Here are the key figures:

• Recruit (at the Academy): $61,187 per year from week one. You are paid to train.
• Probationary Constable (after 12 weeks): $84,060 per year, plus allowances. This is the starting salary after being sworn in.
• First Constable (after completing Diploma of Policing): $90,399 per year, plus allowances.

These are base salaries. Police officers also receive shift penalties, overtime payments, and other allowances. The ordinary hours are 80 per fortnight, which works out to 40 hours per week (slightly more than the standard 38-hour week used for the national minimum).

How Victoria Police Salary Compares to National Averages

Using the Probationary Constable base salary of $84,060 per year, the weekly equivalent is about $1,616.54 (dividing by 52). This is above the ABS May 2026 figure for all employees' average total earnings of $1,579.20 per week. However, it is below the full-time adult ordinary-time earnings average of $2,083.70 per week. Keep in mind that the police base salary does not include shift penalties or overtime, which can significantly increase take-home pay.

Superannuation: Paid on Top

Like all Australian employees, Victoria Police officers receive employer superannuation contributions. The super guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings, and police are members of the Emergency Services Super Fund. This means the total employment cost is higher than the base salary. For example, on a $84,060 salary, the employer pays an additional $10,087 in super (at 12%), making the total package $94,147.

What If You Are Award-Free or Agreement-Free?

If you are not covered by an enterprise agreement or a modern award, the national minimum wage applies. For award-free juniors, the rates are lower (e.g., under 16: $9.73 per hour). Apprentices and trainees follow the Miscellaneous Award rates. But for Victoria Police, the enterprise agreement sets the floor, and it is much higher than the national minimum.

Key Takeaways

• The Victoria Police salary for a Probationary Constable ($84,060) is well above the national minimum wage ($26.44/h or $1,004.90/week).
• Police salaries are set by the Victoria Police Enterprise Agreement, not by a modern award.
• Superannuation (12%) is paid on top of the base salary.
• Shift penalties and allowances can add significantly to the base rate.

For more details on which pay floor applies to you, see our Which minimum wage applies guide. You can also explore Rate tables for other occupations.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the Victoria Police salary compare to the national minimum wage? The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a full-time adult employee. A Victoria Police Probationary Constable earns $84,060 per year, which is about $1,616 per week – over 60% more than the national minimum. Recruits start at $61,187 during training, and after completing the Diploma of Policing, First Constables earn $90,399 per year. These rates are set by the Victoria Police Enterprise Agreement, not by a modern award.

Do Victoria Police officers receive superannuation on top of their salary? Yes. Victoria Police officers are members of the Emergency Services Super Fund, and employer superannuation contributions are paid on top of the base salary. The super guarantee rate in Australia is 12% of ordinary time earnings, and police officers can also salary sacrifice additional contributions. Super is not included in the advertised salary figures.

Can a Victoria Police officer earn more than the base salary? Yes. The base salaries quoted ($61,187 recruit, $84,060 Probationary Constable, $90,399 First Constable) do not include shift penalties, overtime, or allowances. Police officers work a 80-hour fortnight with various shifts, and they attract shift allowances for each hour worked. After 10 years of service, officers also become eligible for long-service leave. The enterprise agreement provides for salary progression based on role, duties, and performance.

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