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.