Graduate teacher salary in Victoria (2026)

If you're starting your first Victorian government job this year or next, you'll start at 1-1, the bottom of Range 1. The rate is about to jump, and graduates get the biggest percentage rise in the new agreement. Here's what you'll be paid, what you'll take home and how quickly you'll move up.

Graduate teacher pay in Victoria

What a Victorian graduate earns now and next

The two 2026 steps are back-paid once the Fair Work Commission approves VGSA 2026, and every full-time employee gets a $2,000 lump sum. The timing and back pay are explained on our Victorian pay rise page.

Starting above 1-1

You start one subdivision higher for each year of approved teaching experience. That includes relief teaching (CRT) in Victorian registered schools since 1 January 2005, interstate teaching and equivalent overseas school experience. If you've done a lot of CRT work before your first contract, gather your records: it could start you at 1-2 or higher. Under VGSA 2026, some TAFE teaching also counts.

Your first years: progression to 1-5 and beyond

Each successful annual performance and development (PDP) cycle moves you up one subdivision on 1 May. Progression is not automatic, but there is no quota. After four cycles you reach 1-5 ($104,154 on the proposed October 2026 rate); moving into Range 2 then needs you to meet the Range 2 standards. It takes ten cycles to reach the top step, 2-6. Alongside this you'll move from provisional to full registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching: see teacher registration in Victoria and our proficient teacher accreditation guide.

Workload protections for first-year teachers

• Your scheduled duties are reduced by at least 5% in your first year.
• Face-to-face teaching is capped at 21 hours a week in primary and 18.5 in secondary schools.
• From 2027, meetings are capped at 40 hours a year and you get 4 Professional Practice Days.

Extra money for graduates willing to go regional

Hard-to-staff rural and regional schools can offer Targeted Financial Incentives of up to $50,000 upfront plus $10,000 retention payments after years 2, 3 and 4, for a minimum two-year commitment. Remote schools also pay a small remote allowance. Details on rural and remote teaching in Victoria.