VPS6 Salary 2026: Take-Home Pay After Tax and Medicare

What a VPS 6 Salary Means for Your Take-Home Pay

If you're looking at a vps6 salary in the Victorian Public Service, you're likely considering a role that pays between $142,790 and $191,084 a year. That's the range for VPS Grade 6 under the Victorian Public Service Enterprise Agreement 2024, effective from 1 May 2026. But the number on your employment contract isn't what lands in your bank account. After income tax and the Medicare levy, your fortnightly take-home is significantly less.

This guide walks you through the tax calculations for a VPS 6 salary in the 2026–27 tax year, so you know exactly what to expect.

VPS 6 Salary Range in Detail

The VPS 6 classification has two value ranges: 6.1 and 6.2. Each has multiple pay points. The lowest VPS 6 pay point (6.1.1) is $142,790 per year. The highest (6.2.7) is $191,084. Most VPS 6 roles start at the bottom of the range and progress through steps based on performance.

Pay point	Annual salary (1 May 2026)
VPS 6.1.1	$142,790
VPS 6.1.7	$166,938
VPS 6.2.1	$166,939
VPS 6.2.7	$191,084

These rates are set by the Fair Work Commission and apply to all Victorian Public Service departments and agencies covered by the agreement.

How Tax Affects Your VPS 6 Salary

Australia uses a progressive tax system. For 2026–27, the tax brackets are:

• $0 – $18,200: Nil
• $18,201 – $45,000: 15c per $1 over $18,200
• $45,001 – $135,000: $4,020 plus 30c per $1 over $45,000
• $135,001 – $190,000: $31,020 plus 37c per $1 over $135,000
• Over $190,000: $51,370 plus 45c per $1 over $190,000

A VPS 6 salary falls into the 37% or 45% marginal rate bracket. You also pay the Medicare levy of 2% on your taxable income (no exemption at these income levels). The low-income tax offset (LITO) does not apply because your income is well above $66,667.

Example: VPS 6.1.1 at $142,790

• Tax on first $135,000: $31,020
• Tax on remaining $7,790 at 37%: $2,882.30
• Total income tax: $33,902.30
• Medicare levy (2% of $142,790): $2,855.80
• Total tax and Medicare: $36,758.10
• Annual take-home: $106,031.90
• Fortnightly take-home: $4,078.15 (rounded to $4,067 in some calculators due to rounding)

Example: VPS 6.2.7 at $191,084

• Tax on first $190,000: $51,370
• Tax on remaining $1,084 at 45%: $487.80
• Total income tax: $51,857.80
• Medicare levy (2% of $191,084): $3,821.68
• Total tax and Medicare: $55,679.48
• Annual take-home: $135,404.52
• Fortnightly take-home: $5,207.87 (rounded to $5,194)

These calculations assume you are a resident for tax purposes, have no HELP/HECS debt, and do not salary sacrifice. Your actual take-home may vary slightly due to payroll rounding.

Superannuation on Top

Your VPS 6 salary is base salary. Your employer pays 12% superannuation on top, which goes into your super fund. That means your total employment cost is higher, but your take-home pay is based only on the base salary. Super is not deducted from your pay; it's an additional contribution.

Comparing VPS 6 to Other Public Service Roles

For context, the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week (from 1 July 2026). A VPS 6 salary is well above that. The average full-time adult ordinary time earnings in Australia are $2,083.70 per week ($108,352 per year), so a VPS 6 salary exceeds the national average.

If you're considering a move between jurisdictions, note that the Australian Public Service (APS) pays its equivalent Executive Level 1 (EL1) between $121,755 and $132,713, and EL2 between $140,675 and $153,336. The VPS 6 range is broader and generally higher at the top end.

Using Our Tools

To see your exact take-home pay for any VPS 6 salary point, use our Take-home pay calculator. It applies the 2026–27 tax rates and Medicare levy automatically. You can also explore Tax and Medicare for more details on offsets and surcharges.

Key Takeaways

• A vps6 salary ranges from $142,790 to $191,084 per year.
• Fortnightly take-home after tax and Medicare is approximately $4,067 to $5,194.
• Employer super of 12% is paid on top of your salary.
• Salaries increase by 3% on 1 May each year under the current agreement.
• Use our calculators to get a personalised estimate for your specific pay point.