Victorian Youth Justice Salary Scales
Compare salary scales across Australian federal and state public services
Victorian Public Service
| Classification | Range | Min | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
YJW Grade 1 Youth justice worker — entry level (Appendix 1, Table 53) | |||
YJW Grade 2 Youth justice worker — experienced (Appendix 1, Table 53) | |||
YJW Grade 3 Youth justice worker — senior (Appendix 1, Table 53) | |||
YJW Grade 4 Youth justice worker — coordinator / unit manager (Appendix 1, Table 53) | |||
YJW Grade 5 Youth justice worker — project / policy manager (Appendix 1, Table 53) | |||
YJW Grade 6 Youth justice worker — senior regional manager (Appendix 1, Table 53) |
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 Youth Justice salary bands, shown per year.
Entry salary
$60,295
YJW Grade 1
Top salary
$185,518
YJW Grade 6
Midpoint band
$111,588
YJW Grade 4
Classifications
6
Youth Justice stream
Classification range ladder
Min to max salary within the currently selected jurisdiction and stream
YJW Grade 1
Youth justice worker — entry level (Appendix 1, Table 53)
YJW Grade 2
Youth justice worker — experienced (Appendix 1, Table 53)
YJW Grade 3
Youth justice worker — senior (Appendix 1, Table 53)
YJW Grade 4
Youth justice worker — coordinator / unit manager (Appendix 1, Table 53)
YJW Grade 5
Youth justice worker — project / policy manager (Appendix 1, Table 53)
YJW Grade 6
Youth justice worker — senior regional manager (Appendix 1, Table 53)
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About Victorian Youth Justice
Youth Justice Workers (YJW) operate under a Non-VPS Aligned Adaptive Structure with their own salary table. YJW Grades 1-4 progress through set progression steps, while Grades 5-6 progress through set progression amounts. Workers are employed in Youth Justice Custodial Centres accommodating young people aged 10-18 remanded or sentenced by the Criminal Division of the Children's Court. The Certificate IV in Youth Justice is required for new employees.
Typical roles: youth justice workers, unit coordinators, case managers, program managers, regional managers. Salary ranges run from $60,295 (YJW Grade 1) to $185,518 (YJW Grade 6). 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 Youth Justice Salary Guide by Classification
Quick reference for every Victorian Public Service Youth Justice 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.
YJW Grade 1 Salary — Youth Justice Worker
The YJW 1 classification (Youth Justice Worker Grade 1, YJW1) pays $60,295–$77,430 per year. Youth justice worker — entry level (Appendix 1, Table 53). Calculate YJW 1take-home pay →
YJW Grade 2 Salary — Youth Justice Worker
The YJW 2 classification (Youth Justice Worker Grade 2, YJW2) pays $79,122–$90,989 per year. Youth justice worker — experienced (Appendix 1, Table 53). Calculate YJW 2take-home pay →
YJW Grade 3 Salary — Youth Justice Worker
The YJW 3 classification (Youth Justice Worker Grade 3, YJW3) pays $92,684–$100,154 per year. Youth justice worker — senior (Appendix 1, Table 53). Calculate YJW 3take-home pay →
YJW Grade 4 Salary — Youth Justice Worker
The YJW 4 classification (Youth Justice Worker Grade 4, YJW4) pays $104,545–$118,631 per year. Youth justice worker — coordinator / unit manager (Appendix 1, Table 53). Calculate YJW 4take-home pay →
YJW Grade 5 Salary — Youth Justice Worker
The YJW 5 classification (Youth Justice Worker Grade 5, YJW5) pays $118,818–$136,747 per year. Youth justice worker — project / policy manager (Appendix 1, Table 53). Calculate YJW 5take-home pay →
YJW Grade 6 Salary — Youth Justice Worker
The YJW 6 classification (Youth Justice Worker Grade 6, YJW6) pays $138,631–$185,518 per year. Youth justice worker — senior regional manager (Appendix 1, Table 53). Calculate YJW 6take-home pay →
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the YJW 1 salary?
A Youth Justice YJW 1 (Youth Justice Worker Grade 1, YJW1) earns $60,295 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 $50,000–$62,000 per year. This classification covers youth justice worker — entry level (appendix 1, table 53). VIC employees receive 12% employer superannuation.
What is the YJW 2 salary?
A Youth Justice YJW 2 (Youth Justice Worker Grade 2, YJW2) earns $79,122 to $90,989 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–$71,000 per year. This classification covers youth justice worker — experienced (appendix 1, table 53). VIC employees receive 12% employer superannuation.
What is the YJW 3 salary?
A Youth Justice YJW 3 (Youth Justice Worker Grade 3, YJW3) earns $92,684 to $100,154 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 youth justice worker — senior (appendix 1, table 53). VIC employees receive 12% employer superannuation.
What is the YJW 4 salary?
A Youth Justice YJW 4 (Youth Justice Worker Grade 4, YJW4) earns $104,545 to $118,631 per year as set by the VPS Enterprise Agreement 2024 — Schedule C. After income tax and Medicare levy, take-home pay is approximately $79,000–$88,000 per year. This classification covers youth justice worker — coordinator / unit manager (appendix 1, table 53). VIC employees receive 12% employer superannuation.
What is the YJW 5 salary?
A Youth Justice YJW 5 (Youth Justice Worker Grade 5, YJW5) earns $118,818 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 $89,000–$100,000 per year. This classification covers youth justice worker — project / policy manager (appendix 1, table 53). VIC employees receive 12% employer superannuation.
What is the YJW 6 salary?
A Youth Justice YJW 6 (Youth Justice Worker Grade 6, YJW6) earns $138,631 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 $101,000–$129,000 per year. This classification covers youth justice worker — senior regional manager (appendix 1, table 53). VIC employees receive 12% employer superannuation.
What is the Youth Justice Worker (YJW) classification?
Youth Justice Workers (YJW) are classified under a Non-VPS Aligned Adaptive Structure in Appendix 1 of the VPS Enterprise Agreement 2024. The structure has 6 grades: YJW Grade 1 (entry level, direct care workers), YJW Grade 2 (experienced workers), YJW Grade 3 (senior workers), YJW Grade 4 (coordinators/unit managers), YJW Grade 5 (project/policy managers), and YJW Grade 6 (senior regional managers).
What does a Youth Justice Worker do?
Youth Justice Workers are employed in Youth Justice Custodial Centres, which accommodate young people aged 10-18 remanded or sentenced by the Criminal Division of the Children's Court, and some 18-21 year olds sentenced by adult courts. Workers provide direct care, supervision, case management, and rehabilitation support within a framework that promotes the return of young people to the community.
Do Youth Justice Workers need a Certificate IV?
Yes. The Department of Justice and Community Safety has implemented a Certificate IV in Youth Justice specific to employment in Victorian Youth Justice Centres. New employees at YJW Grade 1 and Grade 2 are required to complete the qualification, which provides additional salary progression points upon attainment.