Victorian Science Salary Scales
Compare salary scales across Australian federal and state public services
Victorian Public Service
| Classification | Range | Min | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
Science A VR1 Entry science graduate — maps to VPS Grade 2 VR2 (Schedule F) | |||
Science A VR2 Developing scientist — maps to VPS Grade 3 VR1 (Schedule F) | |||
Science A VR3 Experienced scientist — maps to VPS Grade 3 VR2 (Schedule F) | |||
Science B Established professional — maps to VPS Grade 4 (Schedule F) | |||
Science C VR1 Senior scientist / specialist — maps to VPS Grade 5 VR1 (Schedule F) | |||
Science C VR2 Senior scientist — maps to VPS Grade 5 VR2 (Schedule F) | |||
Science D VR1 Principal scientist — maps to VPS Grade 6 VR1 (Schedule F) | |||
Science D VR2 Senior principal scientist — maps to VPS Grade 6 VR2 (Schedule F) | |||
Senior Technical Specialist VPS Senior Technical Specialist applies (Schedule F) |
Notes
- ·Current rates effective 1 May 2025 under the VPS Enterprise Agreement 2024
- ·Annual increases continue on 1 May 2026 and 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 includes base salary, superannuation, and employment benefits
Salary Snapshot
VIC Science salary bands, shown per year.
Entry salary
$70,086
Science A VR1
Top salary
$256,088
Senior Technical Specialist
Midpoint band
$118,953
Science C VR1
Classifications
9
Science stream
Classification range ladder
Min to max salary within the currently selected jurisdiction and stream
Science A VR1
Entry science graduate — maps to VPS Grade 2 VR2 (Schedule F)
Science A VR2
Developing scientist — maps to VPS Grade 3 VR1 (Schedule F)
Science A VR3
Experienced scientist — maps to VPS Grade 3 VR2 (Schedule F)
Science B
Established professional — maps to VPS Grade 4 (Schedule F)
Science C VR1
Senior scientist / specialist — maps to VPS Grade 5 VR1 (Schedule F)
Science C VR2
Senior scientist — maps to VPS Grade 5 VR2 (Schedule F)
Science D VR1
Principal scientist — maps to VPS Grade 6 VR1 (Schedule F)
Science D VR2
Senior principal scientist — maps to VPS Grade 6 VR2 (Schedule F)
Senior Technical Specialist
VPS Senior Technical Specialist applies (Schedule F)
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“The Australian Public Service (APS) employs over 150,000 people across the country.”
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 $70,086 (Science A VR1) to $256,088 (Senior Technical Specialist). All rates are from the VPS Enterprise Agreement 2024, effective 1 May 2025.
Superannuation: VPS employees receive 12% employer superannuation. The next salary increase of 3% takes effect 1 May 2026.
Other VIC Classification Streams
VIC Science Salary Guide by Classification
Quick reference for every Victorian Public Service Science classification and what it pays in 2025–2026. All figures are annual gross salary. Select any level to calculate your take-home pay after tax, Medicare, and super.
Science A VR1 Salary — VPS Science
The Science A VR1 classification (VPS science classification A VR1) pays $70,086–$77,430 per year. Entry science graduate — maps to VPS Grade 2 VR2 (Schedule F). Calculate Science A VR1take-home pay →
Science A VR2 Salary — VPS Science
The Science A VR2 classification (VPS science classification A VR2) pays $79,122–$87,599 per year. Developing scientist — maps to VPS Grade 3 VR1 (Schedule F). Calculate Science A VR2take-home pay →
Science A VR3 Salary — VPS Science
The Science A VR3 classification (VPS science classification A VR3) pays $89,292–$96,073 per year. Experienced scientist — maps to VPS Grade 3 VR2 (Schedule F). Calculate Science A VR3take-home pay →
Science B Salary — VPS Science
The Science B classification (VPS science classification B) pays $97,955–$111,142 per year. Established professional — maps to VPS Grade 4 (Schedule F). Calculate Science Btake-home pay →
Science C VR1 Salary — VPS Science
The Science C VR1 classification (VPS science classification C VR1) pays $113,022–$124,884 per year. Senior scientist / specialist — maps to VPS Grade 5 VR1 (Schedule F). Calculate Science C VR1take-home pay →
Science C VR2 Salary — VPS Science
The Science C VR2 classification (VPS science classification C VR2) pays $124,888–$136,747 per year. Senior scientist — maps to VPS Grade 5 VR2 (Schedule F). Calculate Science C VR2take-home pay →
Science D VR1 Salary — VPS Science
The Science D VR1 classification (VPS science classification D VR1) pays $138,631–$162,076 per year. Principal scientist — maps to VPS Grade 6 VR1 (Schedule F). Calculate Science D VR1take-home pay →
Science D VR2 Salary — VPS Science
The Science D VR2 classification (VPS science classification D VR2) pays $162,077–$185,518 per year. Senior principal scientist — maps to VPS Grade 6 VR2 (Schedule F). Calculate Science D VR2take-home pay →
Senior Technical Specialist Salary — VPS Grade 7
The STS classification (also written as VPS7 or VPS Grade 7) pays $188,297–$256,088 per year. VPS Senior Technical Specialist applies (Schedule F). Calculate STStake-home pay →
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Science A VR1 salary?
A Science Science A VR1 (VPS science classification A VR1) earns $70,086 to $77,430 per year as set by the VPS Enterprise Agreement 2024 — Schedule C. After income tax and Medicare levy, take-home pay is approximately $57,000–$62,000 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 $79,122 to $87,599 per year as set by the VPS Enterprise Agreement 2024 — Schedule C. After income tax and Medicare levy, take-home pay is approximately $63,000–$69,000 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 $89,292 to $96,073 per year as set by the VPS Enterprise Agreement 2024 — Schedule C. After income tax and Medicare levy, take-home pay is approximately $70,000–$75,000 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 $97,955 to $111,142 per year as set by the VPS Enterprise Agreement 2024 — Schedule C. After income tax and Medicare levy, take-home pay is approximately $76,000–$84,000 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 $113,022 to $124,884 per year as set by the VPS Enterprise Agreement 2024 — Schedule C. After income tax and Medicare levy, take-home pay is approximately $85,000–$93,000 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 $124,888 to $136,747 per year as set by the VPS Enterprise Agreement 2024 — Schedule C. After income tax and Medicare levy, take-home pay is approximately $93,000–$100,000 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 $138,631 to $162,076 per year as set by the VPS Enterprise Agreement 2024 — Schedule C. After income tax and Medicare levy, take-home pay is approximately $101,000–$115,000 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 $162,077 to $185,518 per year as set by the VPS Enterprise Agreement 2024 — Schedule C. After income tax and Medicare levy, take-home pay is approximately $115,000–$129,000 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 $188,297 to $256,088 per year as set by the VPS Enterprise Agreement 2024 — Schedule C. After income tax and Medicare levy, take-home pay is approximately $131,000–$166,000 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, 12% superannuation, 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.