Victorian Public Service Salary Guide 2026: VPS Grades, Take-Home Pay & Benchmarks

Victorian Public Service Salary 2026

If you are looking at a career in the Victorian Public Service (VPS) or already work there, understanding your vps salary is key to planning your finances. This guide covers the current pay scales from 1 May 2026, what you can expect to take home after tax and the Medicare levy, and how VPS pay compares to national benchmarks.

VPS Pay Scales and Grades

The VPS classification runs from Grade 1 to Grade 7, with multiple pay points (progression steps) within each grade. The rates below come from the Victorian Public Service Enterprise Agreement 2024, as published by the Fair Work Ombudsman and confirmed by FairWork Mate.

• VPS Grade 1: $56,677 to $60,164
• VPS Grade 2: $62,104 to $79,753
• VPS Grade 3: $81,496 to $98,955
• VPS Grade 4: $100,894 to $114,476
• VPS Grade 5: $116,413 to $140,849
• VPS Grade 6: $142,790 to $191,084
• VPS Grade 7 (Senior Technical Specialist): $193,946 to $263,771

These are the annual salaries from 1 May 2026. A 3% increase is already scheduled for 1 May 2027. For the full classification table with every pay point is available from and .

Take-Home Pay After Tax and Medicare Levy

Your actual bank deposit each fortnight depends on your grade and pay point. The tax rates for 2026–27 are:

• Up to $18,200: nil
• $18,201 to $45,000: 15c per $1 over $18,200
• $45,001 to $135,000: $4,020 plus 30c per $1 over $45,000
• $135,001 to $190,000: $31,020 plus 37c per $1 over $135,000
• Over $190,000: $51,370 plus 45c per $1 over $190,000

The Medicare levy is 2% of taxable income, but if you earn below $28,011 (single) you pay nothing; between $28,011 and $35,013 you pay a reduced rate (10c per $1 over the lower threshold). Full-time VPS salaries are well above these thresholds, so you pay the full 2%.

Example take-home for a VPS 4.1.1 ($100,894):

• Income tax: approximately $22,000
• Medicare levy: $2,018
• After-tax annual: about $76,876
• Fortnightly take-home: roughly $2,957

Use the Take-home pay calculator on this site for your exact pay point.

How VPS Pay Compares to National Benchmarks

The national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour and $1,004.90 per week (annualised $52,255). Even the lowest VPS Grade 1 ($56,677) is above that. The full-time adult ordinary time earnings average is $2,083.70 per week ($108,352 per year). A VPS 3 ($81,496 to $98,955) sits below that average, while a VPS 4 ($100,894 to $114,476) is around the average. VPS 5 and above exceed the average.

For more context, see the Benchmarks page.

Superannuation and Salary Packaging

Victorian Public Service employer super is 12% of your ordinary time earnings (from 1 July 2026). This is paid on top of your salary and is not deducted from your take-home. For example, on a $100,894 salary, your employer contributes $12,107 into your super account. You can also salary sacrifice extra super or a novated lease; see Salary packaging for details.

Next Pay Rise

The current VPS enterprise agreement provides a 3% increase on 1 May each year. The next rise is 1 May 2027. If you are at the top of your grade or value range, you receive a 1.5% lump sum instead of a step progression.

Summary

Your vps salary in 2026 ranges from $56,677 to $263,771 depending on grade and step. After tax and Medicare, a typical VPS 4 takes home about $77,000 a year. All VPS grades pay above the national minimum wage, and mid-level grades align with the full-time average earnings. Use the Clearance tool to estimate your exact take-home pay.