Primary school teacher salary Victoria: gross pay, super and take-home explained
Victorian government primary school teachers earn between $79,589 and $118,063 a year (Range 1-1 to Range 2-6) before tax, plus 12% super. After tax and Medicare, take-home ranges from about $2,446 to $3,452 per fortnight.
Understanding the primary school teacher salary Victoria scale
If you are looking at a primary school teacher salary Victoria, the first thing to know is that the figures you see are almost always the gross annual amount before tax and before super. The Victorian Department of Education publishes a detailed pay scale for government school teachers, and the same structure applies whether you teach prep, primary or secondary. The scale runs from Range 1-1 (starting teacher) up to Range 2-6 (experienced classroom teacher), with Learning Specialist and Leading Teacher roles on Range 3.
Gross salary vs take-home pay
A common mix-up is thinking the advertised salary is what lands in your bank account. In reality, your employer deducts income tax and the Medicare levy before paying you. For example, a teacher at Range 1-1 earning $79,589 a year takes home about $2,446 per fortnight in 2026–27. At Range 2-6 ($118,063) the fortnightly take-home is about $3,452. These estimates use the standard tax rates and the 2% Medicare levy, but exclude HECS-HELP, salary packaging, and the Medicare levy surcharge. You can use our Take-home pay calculator for your exact situation.
Super is on top
Another common confusion is whether super is part of the salary. It is not. The Victorian Government Schools Agreement requires employers to pay super on top of the gross salary. From 1 July 2026 the super guarantee rate is 12%. So if you see a job ad quoting $79,589 plus super, the total package is about $89,140. The super goes into your chosen fund and is not deducted from your take-home. Learn more about Super.
The current pay scale (from 1 July 2025)
The rates below are from the Victorian Department of Education and apply from the first pay period on or after 1 July 2025. They remain in effect until a new agreement is approved by the Fair Work Commission. The scale is divided into three ranges:
- Range 1 (1-1 to 1-5): for developing teachers with structured support. Salaries from $79,589 to $91,056.
- Range 2 (2-1 to 2-6): for proficient classroom teachers. Salaries from $94,415 to $118,063.
- Range 3 (3-1 and 3-2): for Learning Specialists and Leading Teachers. Salaries $123,966 and $129,544.
Primary school teachers are typically on Range 1 or Range 2. The full table is available from the Victorian Department of Education.
What about future increases?
The Australian Education Union (Victoria) has published a “without prejudice” salary schedule showing proposed increases if a new agreement is ratified. For example, Range 1-1 would rise to $84,631 from 10 August 2026, and to $92,882 from 1 October 2026, with further increases through to 2029. You can view the proposed schedule on the AEUVIC website.
How to use this information
When comparing job offers, always check whether the salary is “plus super” or “inclusive of super”. For government schools it is always plus super. Then use our Tax and Medicare guide to estimate your take-home. Remember that the Medicare levy applies at 2% unless your taxable income is below $28,011 (single) or $35,013 (with a full Medicare exemption). The low-income thresholds are the latest published single-person figures.
If you are a primary school teacher in Victoria, your actual pay will depend on your classification and years of experience. The scale is the same across all government primary schools, so you can rely on these numbers when planning your budget.
Questions
What is the starting salary for a primary school teacher in Victoria?
The minimum salary for a classroom teacher in a Victorian government school is $79,589 a year at Range 1-1. That is the rate from the first pay period on or after 1 July 2025. After income tax and the Medicare levy in 2026–27, you would take home about $2,446 per fortnight, or $2,388 if you have a HECS-HELP repayment.
Is super included in the advertised salary?
No. The salary figures you see on job ads and pay scales are gross amounts before super. Employer superannuation is paid on top of the salary at 12% from 1 July 2026. For example, a teacher on $79,589 would also receive about $9,551 in super, making the total employment cost $89,140.
How much tax do teachers pay?
Teachers are taxed the same as any other wage earner using the standard resident tax rates. For 2026–27, the first $18,200 is tax-free, then 15c per dollar up to $45,000, then 30c per dollar up to $135,000. You also pay the Medicare levy of 2% on your taxable income, unless you are below the low-income thresholds ($28,011 single, $35,013 with a full Medicare exemption). Work-related expenses you pay yourself, such as classroom supplies, can reduce your tax when you lodge.