How Much Should You Pay a Centre Director in Regional Victoria? A 2025 Salary Guide

If you're recruiting a Centre Director for a regional Victorian childcare centre, getting the remuneration package right is one of the most important decisions you'll make. Underpaying drives turnover. Overpaying without a clear value framework creates salary compression with your team. And the right package in Shepparton looks different to the right package in Warrnambool.

Here's the 2025 salary picture for Centre Directors across regional Victoria.

THE AWARD FRAMEWORK

Centre Directors in childcare services are typically engaged under the Children's Services Award 2010 or the Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020, depending on their qualification and whether they hold an ECT credential.

Under the Children's Services Award, Centre Directors are classified at Level 7 or Level 8 depending on the size and complexity of the service, the number of educators managed and the service's licence capacity.

THE WORKER RETENTION PAYMENT IMPACT

The Worker Retention Payment applies to eligible educators and directors in approved childcare services in scope for the Child Care Subsidy. From December 2024, this adds 10% above the relevant award rate, rising to 15% from December 2025.

For Centre Directors, this means their effective hourly rate — inclusive of the Worker Retention Payment — is meaningfully above the base award rate. Always confirm WRP eligibility for specific roles with your peak body or Fair Work adviser.

2025 MARKET RATES FOR REGIONAL VICTORIAN CENTRE DIRECTORS

Approximate salary ranges for Centre Directors in regional Victoria, inclusive of the Worker Retention Payment:

Small centre (under 40 licensed places): $75,000 – $90,000 per annum Medium centre (40–80 licensed places): $85,000 – $100,000 per annum Large centre (80+ licensed places): $95,000 – $115,000+ per annum

These ranges reflect base salary plus WRP. Variations exist based on the approved provider, centre type (not-for-profit versus private), state funding arrangements and individual negotiation.

BEYOND BASE SALARY: WHAT MAKES A COMPELLING CENTRE DIRECTOR PACKAGE

The most competitive Centre Director packages in regional Victoria include: professional development budget ($2,000–$5,000 per annum), performance bonus tied to NQF rating and enrolment outcomes, phone or laptop allowance, flexible rostering arrangements, and clear articulation of the career pathway (for example, pathway to Area Manager or Operations Manager in multi-centre operations).

Relocation assistance of $2,500–$5,000 is increasingly standard for interstate Centre Director hires.

HOW VHIRE HELPS REGIONAL CENTRES GET REMUNERATION RIGHT

Vhire provides market salary guidance as part of our role briefing process. We help Centre Directors and approved providers position their package competitively — not just on headline salary, but on the total value proposition that attracts and retains the right leader.

Contact Vhire at info@vhire.com.au or visit vhire.com.au/hire-staff.