Police officer salary Victoria: gross pay, super, and tax explained

What is a police officer salary in Victoria?

A police officer salary Victoria refers to the base pay, allowances, and superannuation for sworn members of Victoria Police. Salaries are set under the Victoria Police Enterprise Agreement and increase with rank, service, and performance. This article covers gross pay, super, and tax, using the Salary Index to show where these figures sit against the national line.

Starting pay at the academy

From week one at the Victoria Police Academy, recruits are paid $61,187 per year. That is a gross salary before allowances and super. On the Salary Index (where 100 equals full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352), this recruit salary has an index of 56.5 — well below the national line but paid while training.

After graduation: Probationary Constable

After 12 weeks, recruits are sworn in as Probationary Constables and earn $84,060 per annum, plus allowances. This is an index of 77.6. For context, the national minimum wage is at index 48.2, so a Probationary Constable is already above that floor.

First Constable and beyond

Once the Diploma of Policing is completed, officers progress to First Constable with a salary of $90,399 plus allowances. That gives an index of 83.4. Further progression follows the enterprise agreement, with increases for senior constable, sergeant, and higher ranks.

National median earnings for police

According to Jobs and Skills Australia, the median full-time weekly earnings for police (all ranks, all states) are $2,560, which annualises to about $133,120. That is an index of 122.9 — significantly above the national line. This figure includes all police, not just Victoria, and reflects the higher pay of more senior officers.

Allowances, penalties, and overtime

Base salaries are only part of the picture. Victoria Police officers receive shift penalties, overtime, and allowances for things like country policing. Country placements may also offer tax breaks on rent and utilities. These extras can push total remuneration well above the base rates.

Superannuation

Victorian police are members of the Emergency Services Super Fund. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of ordinary-time earnings, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. Super can be salary sacrificed, reducing taxable income. For a First Constable on $90,399, the employer super contribution would be about $10,848 per year.

Tax on police salaries

Police pay the same income tax as other Australian residents. For 2026–27, the tax-free threshold is $18,200, then 15% up to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, 37% to $190,000, and 45% above. A 2% Medicare levy applies. Country police may claim deductions for remote area housing and utilities.

How the Salary Index helps compare

The Salary Index lets you compare any pay figure to the national line. For example, a recruit at index 56.5 is about half the national average, while a First Constable at 83.4 is above the national minimum but below the all-occupations median of 100. The national police median at 122.9 shows policing is a well-paid profession on average.

State comparisons

Victoria's state index is 98 (annualised $106,137), slightly below the national line. But police salaries in Victoria are above the state average, especially after a few years of service. For comparison, the industries page shows mining at index 154.7 and retail at 75.9.

Summary

A police officer salary Victoria starts at $61,187 as a recruit and rises to $90,399 as a First Constable, with further progression possible. Including super and allowances, total remuneration is competitive. The national median for police is well above the all-occupations average, reflecting the skilled and demanding nature of the work. For more on how pay compares across roles, see the pay guides and states pages.