Understanding the VPS 4 Salary and How It Compares to Australian Pay Floors
The VPS 4 salary is determined by the Victorian Public Service Enterprise Agreement; the exact rate is not available from the Fair Work Ombudsman or Fair Work Commission sources consulted.
What Is the VPS 4 Salary?
The term "vps 4 salary" refers to the pay rate for a Victorian Public Service (VPS) employee classified at Grade 4 under the Victorian Public Service Enterprise Agreement. This is a common classification for mid-level policy, project, or operational roles in the Victorian government. Unlike the national minimum wage, which applies to most private-sector employees, the VPS 4 salary is set through enterprise bargaining and is specific to the Victorian public sector.
Because the VPS 4 salary is not a figure published by the Fair Work Ombudsman or the Fair Work Commission, this guide cannot give you an exact dollar amount. Instead, it explains how the VPS 4 salary fits into Australia's broader pay system and what legal floors apply.
The National Minimum Wage and Award System
Australia has a multi-layered pay system. The foundation is the national minimum wage, set each year by the Fair Work Commission. From 1 July 2026, the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour week . This rate applies to employees who are not covered by a modern award or an enterprise agreement.
Most employees, however, are covered by a modern award. Awards set minimum pay rates for specific industries or occupations. From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, minimum award wages increased by 4.75%, with a backstop that the lowest ongoing classification cannot fall below the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour, and any introductory rate (limited to the first six months) cannot fall below $25.74 per hour .
Where Does the VPS 4 Salary Sit?
The VPS 4 salary is not set by a modern award. Victorian public sector employees are covered by the Victorian Public Service Enterprise Agreement, which is a registered agreement under state industrial relations law. This agreement sets its own pay rates, classifications, and conditions. The VPS 4 salary is therefore a negotiated salary, not an award rate or the national minimum.
Because the VPS 4 salary is typically well above the national minimum wage, the national minimum acts only as a theoretical floor. For example, if the enterprise agreement were to expire and no new agreement was reached, the national minimum wage would apply as a safety net, but in practice, VPS 4 rates are much higher.
Separating Legal Minimums from Survey Averages
It is important not to confuse the VPS 4 salary with survey averages or the national minimum. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reports that in May 2026, full-time adult ordinary-time earnings were $2,083.70 per week, and all employees average total earnings were $1,579.20 per week. These are averages across all industries and occupations, not a legal minimum or a specific classification rate. The VPS 4 salary would likely fall somewhere within that range, but the exact figure depends on the current enterprise agreement.
Superannuation Guarantee
When discussing any Australian salary, including the VPS 4 salary, remember that superannuation is an employer payment on top. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings, paid at the same time as wages under new payday super rules. For the national minimum wage, that means an additional 12% on top of the $26.44 per hour. For VPS 4, the super contribution is calculated on the agreed salary.
How to Find the Correct VPS 4 Salary
If you need the exact VPS 4 salary for your role, check the current Victorian Public Service Enterprise Agreement. Your employer's human resources department or the Victorian Industrial Relations website will have the official pay tables. The Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool is useful for award-covered employees, but it does not cover state public sector agreements.
For more on how pay floors work, see our Which minimum wage applies guide. You can also explore Rate tables for national minimum and award rates.
Common Misunderstandings
A common mix-up is assuming the VPS 4 salary is tied to the national minimum wage or the annual wage review. While the national minimum wage increase can influence bargaining, the VPS 4 rate is not automatically adjusted. Another confusion is thinking that all public sector employees are covered by the Fair Work system. In Victoria, state public servants are under the state system, while federal public servants are under the national system.
Junior and Apprentice Rates
The national minimum wage has special rates for juniors, apprentices, and trainees. For example, an award-free 18-year-old earns $18.06 per hour (68.3% of the adult rate). These do not apply to VPS 4 roles, which are adult professional classifications.
Conclusion
The VPS 4 salary is a classification rate under the Victorian Public Service Enterprise Agreement, not a figure set by the Fair Work Commission or Fair Work Ombudsman. It is higher than the national minimum wage and the award backstops. For the precise rate, refer to the current enterprise agreement. This guide has clarified the difference between legal minimums, award rates, and negotiated salaries, helping you understand where the VPS 4 salary fits in Australia's pay landscape.
For further reading, see our Guides on pay and conditions, or learn How the figures work.
Questions people ask next
Is the VPS 4 salary the same as the national minimum wage?
No. The VPS 4 salary is a classification rate under the Victorian Public Service Enterprise Agreement, which is typically much higher than the national minimum wage. The national minimum wage (from 1 July 2026, $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week) applies only to employees not covered by an award or agreement. VPS employees are covered by a state-based enterprise agreement, so their minimum pay is set by that agreement, not the national minimum.
Where can I find the official VPS 4 salary rate?
The official VPS 4 salary rate is published in the current Victorian Public Service Enterprise Agreement. This agreement is available on the Victorian Industrial Relations website or from your employer. The Fair Work Ombudsman and Fair Work Commission do not set or publish VPS rates, as they cover the national system. For precise figures, refer directly to the enterprise agreement.
Does the 4.75% award wage increase from July 2026 affect the VPS 4 salary?
Not directly. The 4.75% increase applies to modern award minimum wages under the national system, as announced by the Fair Work Commission. The VPS 4 salary is governed by a separate state enterprise agreement, which has its own wage review process. However, the national minimum wage increase can indirectly influence bargaining, but the VPS 4 rate is not automatically adjusted by the annual wage review.
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