VPS Science Officer Salary Scales
Science
Science stream
9 bands · $72,189–$263,771
Notes
- ·Current rates effective 1 May 2026 under the VPS Enterprise Agreement 2024
- ·Annual increases continue on 1 May 2027
- ·Agreement expires April 2028
- ·Grades 1–4 are VPS Officer classifications; Grades 5–6 are Senior Officer; Grade 7 is Senior Technical Specialist
- ·SES bands are Total Remuneration Package (TRP) values set by the Victorian Independent Remuneration Tribunal, effective 1 July 2025 (TRP adjusted rates may apply from 1 July 2026)
- ·TRP includes base salary, superannuation, and employment benefits
Salaries are indicative and based on publicly available data. Verify with your agency HR for accurate, role-specific information.
Salary Snapshot
VIC Science salary bands, shown per year.
Entry salary
$72,189
Science A VR1
Top salary
$263,771
Senior Technical Specialist
Midpoint band
$122,522
Science C VR1
Classifications
9
Science stream
Classification range chart
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About Victorian Science
The Science Adaptive Structure covers positions requiring a science-based qualification in physical and life sciences or directly related fields. The structure progresses from Science A (entry graduate, equivalent to VPS Grade 2-3) through Science B (VPS Grade 4), Science C (VPS Grade 5), and Science D (VPS Grade 6). Senior Technical Specialist applies at the top. Roles include applied research, laboratory work, environmental science, compliance, and science-based policy development.
Typical roles: research scientists, laboratory scientists, environmental scientists, science policy officers. Salary ranges run from $72,189 (Science A VR1) to $263,771 (Senior Technical Specialist). All rates are from the VPS Enterprise Agreement 2024, effective 1 May 2026.
Superannuation: VPS employees receive 12% employer superannuation. Salary increases continue annually on 1 May under the VPS Enterprise Agreement 2024, with the final increase on 1 May 2027. Agreement expires April 2028.
Key Information
VIC salary facts, agreement context and conditions to check before comparing pay.
Effective date
Current rates effective 1 May 2026 under the VPS Enterprise Agreement 2024
Scheduled change
Annual increases continue on 1 May 2027
Scheduled change
Agreement expires April 2028
Classification note
Grades 1–4 are VPS Officer classifications; Grades 5–6 are Senior Officer; Grade 7 is Senior Technical Specialist
Allowance context
SES bands are Total Remuneration Package (TRP) values set by the Victorian Independent Remuneration Tribunal, effective 1 July 2025 (TRP adjusted rates may apply from 1 July 2026)
Employer super
TRP includes base salary, superannuation, and employment benefits
Compare Pay Scales
Switch classification streams or compare public service salary scales across jurisdictions.
VIC Science Salary Guide by Classification
Quick reference for every Victorian Public Service Science classification and what it pays in 2026–2027— gross salary plus the estimated take-home pay, employer super, and total package the salary table doesn't show. Select any level to calculate your exact take-home pay after tax, Medicare, and super.
Science A VR1 Salary — VPS Science
A Science A VR1 (VPS science classification A VR1) earns $72,189–$79,753 gross — roughly $59,000–$64,000 take-home after income tax and Medicare, plus 12% employer super (~$81,000–$89,000 total package). Entry science graduate — maps to VPS Grade 2 VR2 (Schedule F).
Calculate Science A VR1 take-home pay →Science A VR2 Salary — VPS Science
A Science A VR2 (VPS science classification A VR2) earns $81,496–$90,227 gross — roughly $65,000–$71,000 take-home after income tax and Medicare, plus 12% employer super (~$91,000–$101,000 total package). Developing scientist — maps to VPS Grade 3 VR1 (Schedule F).
Calculate Science A VR2 take-home pay →Science A VR3 Salary — VPS Science
A Science A VR3 (VPS science classification A VR3) earns $91,971–$98,955 gross — roughly $72,000–$77,000 take-home after income tax and Medicare, plus 12% employer super (~$103,000–$111,000 total package). Experienced scientist — maps to VPS Grade 3 VR2 (Schedule F).
Calculate Science A VR3 take-home pay →Science B Salary — VPS Science
A Science B (VPS science classification B) earns $100,894–$114,476 gross — roughly $78,000–$86,000 take-home after income tax and Medicare, plus 12% employer super (~$113,000–$128,000 total package). Established professional — maps to VPS Grade 4 (Schedule F).
Calculate Science B take-home pay →Science C VR1 Salary — VPS Science
A Science C VR1 (VPS science classification C VR1) earns $116,413–$128,631 gross — roughly $87,000–$95,000 take-home after income tax and Medicare, plus 12% employer super (~$130,000–$144,000 total package). Senior scientist / specialist — maps to VPS Grade 5 VR1 (Schedule F).
Calculate Science C VR1 take-home pay →Science C VR2 Salary — VPS Science
A Science C VR2 (VPS science classification C VR2) earns $128,635–$140,849 gross — roughly $95,000–$103,000 take-home after income tax and Medicare, plus 12% employer super (~$144,000–$158,000 total package). Senior scientist — maps to VPS Grade 5 VR2 (Schedule F).
Calculate Science C VR2 take-home pay →Science D VR1 Salary — VPS Science
A Science D VR1 (VPS science classification D VR1) earns $142,790–$166,938 gross — roughly $104,000–$118,000 take-home after income tax and Medicare, plus 12% employer super (~$160,000–$187,000 total package). Principal scientist — maps to VPS Grade 6 VR1 (Schedule F).
Calculate Science D VR1 take-home pay →Science D VR2 Salary — VPS Science
A Science D VR2 (VPS science classification D VR2) earns $166,939–$191,084 gross — roughly $118,000–$133,000 take-home after income tax and Medicare, plus 12% employer super (~$187,000–$214,000 total package). Senior principal scientist — maps to VPS Grade 6 VR2 (Schedule F).
Calculate Science D VR2 take-home pay →Senior Technical Specialist Salary — VPS Grade 7
A STS (also written as VPS7 or VPS Grade 7) earns $193,946–$263,771 gross — roughly $134,000–$170,000 take-home after income tax and Medicare, plus 12% employer super (~$217,000–$295,000 total package). VPS Senior Technical Specialist applies (Schedule F).
Calculate STS take-home pay →Take-home and total package figures are estimates. Take-home excludes HECS/HELP, the Medicare Levy Surcharge, and salary sacrifice, and assumes a resident taxpayer claiming the tax-free threshold. Total package adds employer super to gross salary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Science A VR1 salary?
A Science Science A VR1 (VPS science classification A VR1) earns $72,189 to $79,753 per year as set by the VPS Enterprise Agreement 2024 — Schedule C. After income tax and Medicare levy, take-home pay is approximately $59,000–$64,000 per year. This classification covers entry science graduate — maps to vps grade 2 vr2 (schedule f). VIC employees receive 12% employer superannuation.
What is the Science A VR2 salary?
A Science Science A VR2 (VPS science classification A VR2) earns $81,496 to $90,227 per year as set by the VPS Enterprise Agreement 2024 — Schedule C. After income tax and Medicare levy, take-home pay is approximately $65,000–$71,000 per year. This classification covers developing scientist — maps to vps grade 3 vr1 (schedule f). VIC employees receive 12% employer superannuation.
What is the Science A VR3 salary?
A Science Science A VR3 (VPS science classification A VR3) earns $91,971 to $98,955 per year as set by the VPS Enterprise Agreement 2024 — Schedule C. After income tax and Medicare levy, take-home pay is approximately $72,000–$77,000 per year. This classification covers experienced scientist — maps to vps grade 3 vr2 (schedule f). VIC employees receive 12% employer superannuation.
What is the Science B salary?
A Science Science B (VPS science classification B) earns $100,894 to $114,476 per year as set by the VPS Enterprise Agreement 2024 — Schedule C. After income tax and Medicare levy, take-home pay is approximately $78,000–$86,000 per year. This classification covers established professional — maps to vps grade 4 (schedule f). VIC employees receive 12% employer superannuation.
What is the Science C VR1 salary?
A Science Science C VR1 (VPS science classification C VR1) earns $116,413 to $128,631 per year as set by the VPS Enterprise Agreement 2024 — Schedule C. After income tax and Medicare levy, take-home pay is approximately $87,000–$95,000 per year. This classification covers senior scientist / specialist — maps to vps grade 5 vr1 (schedule f). VIC employees receive 12% employer superannuation.
What is the Science C VR2 salary?
A Science Science C VR2 (VPS science classification C VR2) earns $128,635 to $140,849 per year as set by the VPS Enterprise Agreement 2024 — Schedule C. After income tax and Medicare levy, take-home pay is approximately $95,000–$103,000 per year. This classification covers senior scientist — maps to vps grade 5 vr2 (schedule f). VIC employees receive 12% employer superannuation.
What is the Science D VR1 salary?
A Science Science D VR1 (VPS science classification D VR1) earns $142,790 to $166,938 per year as set by the VPS Enterprise Agreement 2024 — Schedule C. After income tax and Medicare levy, take-home pay is approximately $104,000–$118,000 per year. This classification covers principal scientist — maps to vps grade 6 vr1 (schedule f). VIC employees receive 12% employer superannuation.
What is the Science D VR2 salary?
A Science Science D VR2 (VPS science classification D VR2) earns $166,939 to $191,084 per year as set by the VPS Enterprise Agreement 2024 — Schedule C. After income tax and Medicare levy, take-home pay is approximately $118,000–$133,000 per year. This classification covers senior principal scientist — maps to vps grade 6 vr2 (schedule f). VIC employees receive 12% employer superannuation.
What is the STS salary?
A Science STS (also written as VPS7 or VPS Grade 7) earns $193,946 to $263,771 per year as set by the VPS Enterprise Agreement 2024 — Schedule C. After income tax and Medicare levy, take-home pay is approximately $134,000–$170,000 per year. This classification covers vps senior technical specialist applies (schedule f). VIC employees receive 12% employer superannuation.
What roles are covered by the VPS Science classification?
The Science Adaptive Structure (Schedule F) covers research scientists, laboratory scientists, environmental scientists, and other positions where a science-based qualification is required. The structure spans Science A (entry graduate level) through Science D (principal scientist), plus Senior Technical Specialist for the most senior roles.
How does VPS science pay compare to CSIRO or university research positions?
VPS Science C (equivalent to VPS Grade 5) and Science D (equivalent to VPS Grade 6) are broadly competitive with CSIRO Research Scientist and Senior Research Scientist levels. The VPS offers structured career progression with transparent pay scales, employer superannuation at the standard Superannuation Guarantee rate, and strong job security compared to grant-funded university positions.
What qualifications do VPS Science officers need?
Science positions require a science-based qualification, defined as physical and life sciences or directly related fields. Science A VR1 is generally the entry level for science graduates. The Science structure excludes Graduate Recruitment programs and professionals in other occupational categories where a science qualification is optional.