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Understanding the VPS 4 Salary: Hourly to Annual Conversion Guide

For a full-time VPS 4 employee working 38 hours per week, the annual salary is the hourly rate multiplied by 38 then by 52.

Understanding the VPS 4 Salary and Annual Pay Conversion

If you're looking at a VPS 4 salary—the Victorian Public Service classification for mid-level roles—you may need to convert an hourly rate to an annual figure, or vice versa. This guide explains the standard conversion, how tax and super apply, and how the VPS 4 salary compares to other pay benchmarks.

How to Convert Hourly to Annual

The basic formula is:

Annual gross salary = hourly rate × hours per week × 52

For full-time employees, we assume 38 hours per week (the standard ordinary hours under the National Employment Standards). For example, if your VPS 4 hourly rate is $45.00, your annual salary would be:

$45.00 × 38 × 52 = $88,920

If you prefer to think in fortnights, multiply your weekly pay by 2. Weekly pay is hourly rate × 38. So a $45.00 hourly rate gives $1,710 per week, or $3,420 per fortnight.

This conversion assumes the same rate every week, no unpaid overtime, no penalty rates, no allowances, and no salary sacrifice. It's a starting point for budgeting and comparing job offers.

Minimum Wage, Award Rates, and Enterprise Agreements

The National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour for permanent employees (or $33.05 per hour for casuals, including 25% loading). Award rates, such as those in the Health Services Award or SCHADS Award, set minimums for specific industries. For example, from 1 December 2026, home care disability employees under the SCHADS Award receive an initial increase of up to 15% to their minimum award rates.

However, the VPS 4 salary is not set by an award—it's determined by the Victorian Public Service Enterprise Agreement, which typically pays above award rates. Always check your enterprise agreement for exact rates. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides pay guides for award-covered roles, but VPS employees should refer to their agreement or the Victorian Government's salary tables.

Casual Loading and the Timesheet Tool

On our timesheet (home page), you enter your base hourly rate. If you are a casual employee, check the box to add 25% casual loading on top. Never type a rate that already includes casual loading—the tool adds it automatically. For VPS 4, casual roles are rare, but if you are casual, your agreement may specify a loaded rate.

Superannuation and Tax

Super guarantee is 12% of ordinary earnings, paid on top of your salary, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year. For a VPS 4 salary of $88,920, super would be an additional $10,670.40 per year (12% of $88,920).

Income tax for 2026–27 uses the resident tax-free threshold:

  • $0 – $18,200: nil
  • $18,201 – $45,000: 15%
  • $45,001 – $135,000: 30%
  • $135,001 – $190,000: 37%
  • Over $190,000: 45%

Plus the Medicare levy of 2% (using 2025–26 single reduction thresholds as 2026–27 thresholds were not confirmed).

For a VPS 4 salary of $88,920, the estimated tax (including Medicare) would be roughly $18,000–$20,000, depending on your exact circumstances. Use the take-home pay calculator for a personalised estimate.

Differences in Ordinary-Time Earnings

The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports average weekly earnings for full-time adult ordinary time at $2,083.70 (May 2026). All employees total earnings (including part-time) average $1,579.20 per week. A typical VPS 4 salary of around $88,920 equates to $1,710 per week, which is below the full-time average but above the all-employees average. This reflects the mid-level nature of VPS 4 roles.

Using the Reference Tables

For quick comparisons, our reference tables show annual salaries for common hourly rates at 38 hours per week. You can also check the minimum wage page for the latest rates.

Remember: the conversion formula is a guide. Your actual pay may differ due to enterprise agreement conditions, overtime, or salary packaging. Always verify with your employer or the relevant enterprise agreement.

Open the same rate on the home timesheet. Read the reference tables before treating a figure as your pay.

Try the rate on a timesheet

Adjust the timesheet

Year, gross$52,245.4452 weeks at this rate

Starts at the adult National Minimum Wage. Change the rate if the job pays more.

Level with the adult National Minimum Wage.

Mon$200.947.6 h
Tue$200.947.6 h
Wed$200.947.6 h
Thu$200.947.6 h
Fri$200.947.6 h
One fortnight$2,009.44 gross
  • Take-home
  • Tax
  • Medicare
Super 12%, paid on top$6,269.45 a year
Week
$1,004.72
Fortnight
$2,009.44
Take-home a year
$45,006.90
Tax + Medicare
$7,238.54

$52,245.44 gross a year, $2,009.44 a fortnight.

  • 16 h$21,998
  • 20 h$27,498
  • 24 h$32,997
  • 30 h$41,246
  • 38 h$52,245
  • 40 h$54,995

Resident tax for 2026–27 with the tax-free threshold. Medicare uses the 2025–26 single reduction thresholds. No HELP, no salary sacrifice, no Medicare levy surcharge. Super is 12% of ordinary earnings only, capped at the maximum contribution base.

Questions people ask next

How do I convert my VPS 4 hourly rate to an annual salary?

Multiply your hourly rate by 38 (hours per week for full-time) and then by 52 (weeks per year). For example, if your VPS 4 hourly rate is $40, the annual gross salary is $40 × 38 × 52 = $79,040. This assumes no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, or salary sacrifice.

Does the VPS 4 salary include casual loading?

No. VPS 4 roles are typically permanent full-time or part-time, not casual. Casual loading (25% on top of the base rate) applies only to casual employees under awards. If you are a casual VPS employee, your agreement may specify a loaded rate. On our timesheet tool, you type the base hourly rate and check the casual loading box to add 25% on top.

How does the VPS 4 salary compare to the National Minimum Wage and award rates?

The National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour for permanent employees ($33.05 casual). Award rates vary by industry; for example, the SCHADS Award has specific rates for home care workers. VPS 4 salaries are set by the Victorian Public Service Enterprise Agreement and are generally higher than minimum or award rates. Use the Fair Work Ombudsman's pay guides for award-covered roles, but VPS employees should refer to their enterprise agreement.

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