Is the VPS 3 salary the same as the national minimum wage?

No. The VPS 3 salary is a classification under the Victorian Public Service Enterprise Agreement, which sets pay rates well above the national minimum wage. The national minimum wage ($26.44 per hour from 1 July 2026) only applies to employees not covered by an award or agreement. VPS employees are covered by a state-based enterprise agreement, so their minimum pay is determined by that agreement, not the Fair Work Commission's national minimum.

How is superannuation treated for VPS 3 employees?

Superannuation is an employer contribution on top of the VPS 3 salary. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee rate is 12% of ordinary time earnings. This is paid in addition to the base salary, not deducted from it. The VPS enterprise agreement may also specify additional employer super contributions.

Where can I find the exact VPS 3 salary rate?

The exact VPS 3 salary is not published in the Fair Work Ombudsman or Fair Work Commission materials used for this guide. It is set out in the Victorian Public Service Enterprise Agreement, which is available from the Victorian Government's Industrial Relations Victoria website. You can also check your employment contract or ask your HR department. The national minimum wage figures on this site do not apply to VPS employees.

VPS 3 Salary: Understanding the Pay Floor for Victorian Public Service Employees

The VPS 3 salary is set by the Victorian Public Service Enterprise Agreement, not the national minimum wage; precise rates are not available from the provided sources.

What is the VPS 3 salary?

The term "VPS 3 salary" refers to the pay rate for a classification level 3 in the Victorian Public Service (VPS). VPS employees are covered by the Victorian Public Service Enterprise Agreement, a state-based industrial instrument. This means their minimum pay and conditions are set by that agreement, not by the national minimum wage or a modern award under the Fair Work Act.

How the VPS 3 salary relates to the national minimum wage

The national minimum wage, set by the Fair Work Commission and explained by the Fair Work Ombudsman, is a legal floor for employees not covered by any award or registered agreement. From 1 July 2026, the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour week. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, bringing the casual rate to $33.05 per hour.

However, the VPS 3 salary is almost certainly higher than these figures. The Victorian Public Service Enterprise Agreement typically provides pay rates that exceed the national minimum, reflecting the specialised nature of public service work. Because the VPS is a state government employer, its employees are not in the national system for most purposes, so the national minimum wage does not directly apply to them. Instead, the enterprise agreement sets the minimum.

Legal minimum versus award rate versus negotiated salary

It is important to distinguish between different types of pay floors:

Legal minimum: For award-free employees, the national minimum wage. For VPS employees, the enterprise agreement rate is the legal minimum.
Award rate: Most private-sector employees are covered by a modern award, which sets minimum pay rates for their industry or occupation. VPS employees are not covered by a modern award; they have an enterprise agreement.
Negotiated salary: Individual contracts or enterprise agreements can set higher rates than the award or national minimum. The VPS 3 salary is a negotiated rate under the enterprise agreement.

Superannuation is on top

When discussing the VPS 3 salary, remember that superannuation is an employer payment on top of the base salary. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings. So if the VPS 3 salary is, say, $70,000 per year, the employer must also contribute $8,400 in super, making the total employment cost $78,400. This is separate from any salary packaging or other benefits.

Where to find the exact VPS 3 rate

The search results from the Fair Work Ombudsman and Fair Work Commission do not contain VPS salary information. To find the current VPS 3 salary, you need to consult the Victorian Public Service Enterprise Agreement or the Victorian Government's pay schedules. The agreement is available on the Industrial Relations Victoria website. Your employer's HR department can also provide the current rate.

Which minimum wage applies?

If you are a VPS employee, the answer is clear: the Victorian Public Service Enterprise Agreement sets your minimum pay. If you are not covered by any award or agreement, the national minimum wage applies. To check which situation applies to you, see our guide Which minimum wage applies and our Rate tables for award-free employees.

Key takeaways

The VPS 3 salary is not the same as the national minimum wage.
VPS employees are covered by a state enterprise agreement, not a modern award.
Superannuation is paid on top of the salary at 12% from 1 July 2026.
For precise VPS 3 rates, refer to the Victorian Public Service Enterprise Agreement.
The national minimum wage is a backstop for employees without any award or agreement, but VPS rates are higher.

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