On this page (5 sections)
The short answer
The Fair Work Commission approved the Victorian Government Schools Agreement 2026 on 16 October 2026, and it came into operation on 23 October 2026, replacing the VGSA 2022. Rates are back-dated: a graduate (1-1) goes from $79,589 to $92,882 and the top classroom step (2-6) from $118,063 to $133,456, with back pay to 10 August 2026 and a $2,000 lump sum.
- Graduate take-home rises from about $2,446 to $2,794 a fortnight; 2-6 from about $3,452 to $3,855 (2026–27 tax, no HELP).
- Back pay covers the difference from 10 August 2026 (and the higher October rates from 1 October 2026) until the new rates reach your pay.
- Everyone covered gets a $2,000 lump sum, pro rata for part-time staff.
- The Department hasn't published the payroll date yet. Next rises: 1 November 2027, 2028 and 2029.
FWC approval
16 Oct 2026
Department of Education
In operation
23 Oct 2026
Replaces VGSA 2022
Back pay from
10 Aug 2026
Second rise from 1 Oct 2026
Lump sum
$2,000
Pro rata for part-time
What happens now
The Department of Education's enterprise bargaining page says the Fair Work Commission approved the VGSA 2026 on 16 October 2026 and that it came into operation on 23 October 2026. It covers the executive, principal, teacher, paraprofessional and education support classes, and runs to a nominal expiry of 10 August 2030.
The Department now has to load the new rates into payroll and work out everyone's arrears, so the first payslip at the new rate and the back pay may take a few pay cycles. It hadn't published a payroll date when we checked on 28 October 2026; we'll add it to our VGSA 2026 tracker when it does. Work out your own figures with the VGSA 2026 back pay calculator.
Free calculator
VGSA 2026 back pay calculator
Pick your step and see your back pay, the $2,000 lump sum and your new fortnightly pay, after tax.
Work out my back payWork out your VGSA 2026 pay rise and back pay
⚙Your details
Check the 'classification' line on your payslip, e.g. CT 2-3 or LT 3-1.
VGSA 2026 started on 23 Oct 2026. The Department hasn't published the payroll date, so enter the pay day your back pay arrives. Default: six weeks from today.
Your VGSA 2026 back pay (before tax)
$5,719
New salary from 1 Oct 2026
$133,456
+13.0% on $118,063
Rise per fortnight
$592
before tax
Back pay after tax
$3,•••
in your report
Worth to you by 2030
$9•,•••
in your report
Estimate only. VGSA 2026 was approved by the Fair Work Commission on 16 Oct 2026 and came into operation on 23 Oct 2026. Back pay = (new − old) fortnightly pay ÷ 14 × days, from the first pay period on or after 10 Aug 2026 and 1 Oct 2026; pay-period timing can move this by a few days. Old rates: VGSA 2022 from 1 Jul 2025. Tax uses 2026–27 rates and the ATO marginal-rate method. "Worth to you" compares VGSA 2026 rates with staying on today's VGSA 2022 rates until the nominal expiry (10 Aug 2030). Checked 28 October 2026.
The new classroom rates
VGSA 2026 Schedule 1 and VGSA 2022 Schedule 1. Each column applies from the first pay period on or after the date. Every step is on the Victorian pay rise page.
Check your payslip when it lands
When the new rates and back pay arrive, check the fortnightly rate, the back pay line and the lump sum against your step. Back pay should start from the first pay period on or after 10 August 2026, not 15 May (that date belonged to the deal AEU members rejected in June). If something looks wrong, our payslip checker compares it with the agreement and drafts an email to payroll.
Who isn't covered
Casual relief teachers employed by school councils are paid under Ministerial Order 1389, not the VGSA, so their daily rate doesn't change until that order is amended. Catholic school teachers are under a separate agreement that is still being bargained; see Catholic school teacher pay in Victoria.
Frequently asked questions
When was VGSA 2026 approved?
When will I get my VGSA back pay?
How much back pay will I get?
Is the $2,000 lump sum taxed?
Sources we checked · last verified 2026-10-28
Work out your pay rise and back pay
CalculateAbout this page
Written and fact-checked by the TeacherPay AU Editorial Team against the enterprise agreements, awards and official pages listed in the sources. It is general information, not personal financial, tax or legal advice. Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we'll fix it, usually within a day. See our editorial policy and how we calculate.