On this page (6 sections)
The short answer
Teachers in Victorian Catholic schools are paid $79,589 (T1-1) to $118,063 (T2-6) under the Catholic Education Multi-Enterprise Agreement 2022, identical to government rates. A 2026 replacement is still being bargained. Employers offered in June 2026 to match the government's VGSA 2026 percentage increases, but no new rates have been confirmed as paid.
Catholic schools in Victoria have long matched government teacher pay. That parity is under pressure this year: government staff have voted in big VGSA 2026 rises, while Catholic staff are still bargaining their own agreement. Here's where things stand.
Catholic school teacher pay in Victoria
Catholic teachers under the CEMEA 2022 are on the same rates as government schools: $79,589 (T1-1) to $118,063 (T2-6). A 2026 replacement was still being bargained in August 2026; employers have offered to match the government increases. Effective 1 July 2025.
Current Catholic teacher rates
The CEMEA 2022 covers the Archdiocese of Melbourne (MACS) and the Dioceses of Ballarat and Sandhurst, plus Lavalla Catholic College. Its final rates are T1-1 $79,589 and T2-6 $118,063, the same as the government's 1-1 and 2-6. It reached its nominal expiry on 31 December 2025 and still applies until replaced. The Diocese of Sale (DOSCEL) has separate arrangements.
Government (VGSA)
- Today: $79,589 to $118,063
- VGSA 2026 approved by staff, awaiting FWC
- Proposed $92,882 to $133,456 from 1 Oct 2026
- Union: AEU Vic
Catholic (CEMEA)
- Today: $79,589 to $118,063
- 2026 agreement still being bargained
- Employers offered to match government rises
- Union: IEU VicTas
Where Catholic bargaining is up to
If the final deal matches VGSA 2026 percentages, Catholic rates would track the government's $92,882 and $133,456 for October 2026. But the dates and any back pay depend on the Catholic agreement itself.
What a Catholic teacher takes home
Catholic teacher at T2-6
- Salary
- $118,063
- Income tax (after LITO)
- $25,939
- Medicare levy
- $2,361
At T1-1 ($79,589): $63,601 a year, $2,446 a fortnight. 2026-27 tax rules, no HECS. Most Catholic schools are rebatable employers, so salary packaging can add to take-home.
Packaging rules for Catholic schools are different from government schools: read teacher salary packaging. For CRTs, Catholic schools pay $1 an hour above the Award Level 5 rate, including a 25% loading.
Independent schools
Independent schools have no common scale. Each pays under its own enterprise agreement, a sector agreement such as the Lutheran multi-enterprise agreement, or at minimum the Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020. See private school teacher salary and Catholic and independent school pay.
Frequently asked questions
Do Catholic teachers in Victoria get paid the same as government teachers?
Will Catholic teachers get the VGSA 2026 pay rise?
What is the CEMEA?
Did Catholic teachers in Victoria get 7% in January 2026?
Which union covers Catholic teachers in Victoria?
Sources we checked · last verified 16 October 2026
- 1.Proposed Victorian Government Schools Agreement 2026 (PDF, Department of Education)
- 2.Proposed VGSA 2026: Agreement Explanation (PDF)
- 3.Proposed VGSA 2026: Approval Process and FAQs (PDF)
- 4.Victorian Government Schools Agreement 2022 (PDF)
- 5.Enterprise Bargaining: Overview (Department PAL)
- 6.Casual Relief Teacher Employment Handbook
- 7.Relocation incentives: Targeted Financial Incentives and Regional Relocation Incentive
- 8.Workforce support and initiatives: Attraction (Department PAL)
About 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.