Jacinta Allan Salary vs Average Victorian School Principal: Facts, Comparisons and Insights

Breaking Down the Salary Figures

In the heart of Victoria's public education system, school principals play a pivotal role in shaping the learning environment for thousands of students across Kindergarten to Year 12 (K-12) schools. Their responsibilities include strategic leadership, staff management, budget oversight, and ensuring compliance with the Victorian Department of Education standards. Meanwhile, as Premier, Jacinta Allan oversees the entire state government, including education policy, with a broad portfolio spanning health, infrastructure, and economy.

Current data from the Victorian Independent Remuneration Tribunal, effective from 1 July 2025, places the Premier's total remuneration at approximately $569,373 annually. This comprises a base salary of $211,972, an additional Premier loading of $236,525, an expense allowance of $64,475, and a parliamentary accommodation sitting allowance of $56,401. These figures reflect annual adjustments, with a 3 per cent guideline for 2025-26 public sector executives.

Contrast this with Victorian public school principals. Salaries are determined by the school's Student Resource Package (SRP), which allocates funding based on enrolments, needs-based funding, and location. Principal classifications range from Range 1 to Range 6, with entry-level at around $156,335 in 2025 rising to $184,176 in 2026 for smaller schools, up to $236,313 for leading larger, complex institutions. An average Victorian public school principal earns between $180,000 and $200,000, depending on school size and experience, according to aggregated data from job sites like SEEK and official union reports.

This gap highlights disparities in compensation for leadership roles within public service, sparking discussions amid ongoing education workforce challenges.

How Victorian School Principal Salaries Are Structured

Victorian government school principals' pay follows the Victorian School Agreement, negotiated between the Department of Education and unions like the Australian Education Union (AEU) Victorian branch. The principal classification budget is tied directly to the school's SRP, calculated annually. For instance, a primary school with 300 students might fall into Range 3, offering salaries from $170,000 to $195,000, while a large secondary school with over 1,500 students could reach Range 6, exceeding $220,000.

Progression within ranges depends on performance reviews, years of service, and additional responsibilities like leading multi-campus sites or disadvantaged communities. Superannuation adds 11 per cent, and benefits include salary packaging options. However, recent enterprise bargaining has been contentious, with 2026 negotiations aiming to address inflation-eroded real wages.

Early childhood and Technical and Further Education (TAFE) leaders follow similar models but with variations; TAFE principals can earn comparably to K-12 due to vocational demands, though averages hover lower at $160,000-$190,000.

Recent Pay Dynamics: Politicians vs Educators

Victorian Members of Parliament (MPs), including the Premier, received a 3.5 per cent increase in 2024-25, pushing Allan's package toward half a million before the latest adjustment. This independent tribunal decision aligns with public sector norms but contrasts sharply with education staff outcomes. In March 2026, over 30,000 teachers, principals, and support staff struck—the first in 13 years—rejecting a government offer of 17 per cent over four years (8 per cent year one, 3 per cent thereafter), deemed insufficient against 11 per cent real wage cuts since 2021.

Unions argue principals lag interstate peers by 12-18 per cent, exacerbating shortages. For context, official MP remuneration details underscore structured rises, while education pay remains bargaining-dependent.

Interstate and National Comparisons

A 2025-26 AEU report reveals stark gaps: Victorian principals start at $184,176 vs New South Wales' higher bands, with assistant principals $153,531 vs $149,059 entry but top ends favoring NSW. Nationally, Queensland and Western Australia offer competitive packages, drawing talent across borders. Victorian educators earn the lowest average, prompting migration—e.g., graduate teachers $79,589 here vs $92,882 NSW.

• NSW Principal entry: 17.81% higher than Vic.
• Experienced Vic teacher: $118,063 vs NSW $133,422.
• Implication: Retention risks in teacher supply areas like rural Victoria.

Explore detailed comparisons in the AEU comparative report.

Challenges in Attracting and Retaining School Leaders

Principal vacancies have surged 20 per cent in Victoria over two years, per Department data, linked to burnout, funding shortfalls, and uncompetitive pay. Leading a school involves 60+ hour weeks: curriculum oversight, parent engagement, compliance with the Australian Professional Standards for Principals, and crisis management like post-COVID recovery.

A 2025 survey by the Victorian Principals Association found 40 per cent considering resignation, citing workload and remuneration misaligning with private sector alternatives. In early childhood centres, directors earn $140,000-$170,000, facing similar staffing woes.

Perspectives from Stakeholders

The AEU demands 35 per cent over three years for parity, emphasizing needs-based funding shortfalls of $2.4 billion. Government counters with fiscal constraints pre-November 2026 election, Premier Allan calling offers "strong." Principals voice frustration: "We manage multimillion budgets yet earn less than executives in other departments," notes one anonymous Range 5 leader.

Independent schools offer higher via Catholic or proprietary scales, but public sector stability appeals long-term. TAFE principals highlight vocational training's unique pressures amid skills shortages.

Private vs Public School Leadership Pay

Victorian private school principals average $285,000 nationally, with top independents nearing $1 million packages including bonuses. Public caps at $236k limit incentives, though job security and pensions balance this. For K-12 focus, public roles prioritize equity in under-resourced areas.

Implications for Victoria's Education Future

With strikes signaling unrest, unresolved bargaining risks further exodus, impacting NAPLAN results and student outcomes. Solutions include indexed rises, workload reforms, and principal training via programs like the National Institute for Principals.

Pathways to Principalship and Career Advice

• Complete Master of Education (Leadership) or equivalent.
• Gain 5+ years teaching, assistant principal experience.
• Apply via Department panels, emphasizing leadership portfolios.

Despite gaps, principal roles offer fulfillment in student impact. Monitor 2026 agreements for uplifts.

Visit the Department salary rates page for updates.