What is the minimum education support salary under the Schools General Staff Award?

The minimum hourly rate for an adult education support worker covered by the Educational Services (Schools) General Staff Award depends on their classification level. From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, Level 1.1 pays $26.44 per hour (the same as the national minimum wage), while higher levels such as Level 3.1 pay $29.47 per hour. The award also specifies penalty rates for weekends, shifts, and overtime. These rates are set by the Fair Work Commission and enforced by the Fair Work Ombudsman.

Do junior rates apply to education support workers?

Yes, the Schools General Staff Award includes junior rates for employees under 21 who are not apprentices. For example, a 17-year-old at Level 1.1 receives 57.8% of the adult rate, or $15.29 per hour. Award-free juniors follow the national minimum wage junior percentages. Apprentice rates also apply for those who started after 1 January 2014, with hourly rates from $14.74 (1st year, did not complete Year 12) to $26.52 (4th year). Always check the award or the Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool for the correct rate.

Is superannuation included in the education support salary rates?

No, the hourly and weekly rates in the award are base rates before superannuation. Employers must pay super guarantee of 12% on top of ordinary time earnings (from 1 July 2026). For example, an education support worker earning $29.47 per hour (Level 3.1) would receive an additional $3.54 per hour in super, making the total employment cost $33.01 per hour. Super is not deducted from the employee's pay; it is an extra payment by the employer.

Education Support Salary: Award Rates and Minimum Pay for School Support Staff in 2026

For education support staff covered by the Schools General Staff Award, the minimum hourly rate from 1 July 2026 ranges from $26.44 (Level 1.1) to $46.64 (Level 8), with superannuation of 12% on top.

Education Support Salary: Award Coverage and Minimum Rates

When researching an education support salary in Australia, the first question is which pay floor applies. Most education support staff—such as teacher aides, school administration officers, library assistants, and boarding supervisors—are covered by the Educational Services (Schools) General Staff Award [MA000076]. This award, published by the Fair Work Ombudsman , sets minimum wages, penalty rates, and conditions for employees in registered schools. For workers not covered by any award or enterprise agreement, the national minimum wage applies: $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week from 1 July 2026.

Legal Minimum vs Award Rates vs Market Salaries

It is important to separate four different figures:

Legal minimum: The national minimum wage set by the Fair Work Commission. For award-free adult employees, this is $26.44 per hour. Juniors, apprentices, and supported-wage employees can be paid less.
Award rate: The minimum under the Schools General Staff Award. For example, a Level 1.1 education support worker must receive at least $26.44 per hour, while a Level 3.1 worker must receive $29.47 per hour. The award also includes penalty rates for Saturday (50% loading), Sunday (100% loading), and shift work.
Enterprise agreement: Many schools have agreements that set higher rates than the award. These agreements are approved by the Fair Work Commission and override the award.
Survey average: The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reports that full-time adult ordinary-time earnings across all industries were $2,083.70 per week in May 2026. However, no specific ABS survey average exists for education support salaries. Actual salaries vary by school, location, and experience.

How the Award Pay Rates Work

The award classifies employees into levels from 1 to 8, with incremental steps. The table below shows selected adult weekly and hourly rates from the Fair Work Ombudsman's pay guide, effective from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026:

Classification	Weekly rate	Hourly rate
Level 1.1	$1,004.90	$26.44
Level 2.1	$1,073.10	$28.24
Level 3.1	$1,119.90	$29.47
Level 4.1	$1,182.10	$31.11
Level 5.1	$1,281.70	$33.73
Level 6.1	$1,391.30	$36.61
Level 7.1	$1,529.50	$40.25
Level 8	$1,772.30	$46.64

These rates are the minimum. An enterprise agreement or individual contract can require a higher rate. The Fair Work Commission's Modern Awards Pay Database provides the full classification structure and penalty rate calculations.

Superannuation Is Paid on Top

All minimum rates quoted are base rates. Employers must also pay superannuation guarantee of 12% on ordinary time earnings. For an education support worker on $29.47 per hour, the employer contributes an extra $3.54 per hour into super. This is not deducted from the employee's take-home pay.

Award-Free Workers and Junior Rates

If an education support worker is not covered by any award or agreement, the national minimum wage applies. For juniors under 21, the following percentages of the adult rate apply (from 1 July 2026):

Under 16: 36.8% ($9.73/h)
16: 47.3% ($12.51/h)
17: 57.8% ($15.29/h)
18: 68.3% ($18.06/h)
19: 82.5% ($21.82/h)
20: 97.7% ($25.84/h)
21 and over: 100% ($26.44/h)

Casual workers receive a 25% loading on top of the base rate.

Where to Find More Information

Which minimum wage applies – Determine if you are award-free or covered by an award.
Rate tables – View current award and national minimum wage rates.
Guides – Step-by-step explanations of pay calculations.
How the figures work – Methodology for rounding and comparisons.
Topics – Browse by industry or employment type.

This guide is for orientation only. It is not a pay determination or legal advice. Always check the specific award or agreement that applies to your workplace, and consult the Fair Work Ombudsman for authoritative information.