What is the minimum salary for a high school teacher in NSW under the federal award?

Under the Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020, the minimum annual salary for a full-time teacher in a preschool or school ranges from $75,941 (Level 1) to $105,076 (Level 5). These rates apply to private and independent schools. The award also specifies higher rates for long day care centres.

Do NSW public school teachers get paid more than the award minimum?

Yes. NSW public high school teachers are covered by the Crown Employees (Teachers in Schools and Related Employees) Salaries and Conditions Award, which sets higher pay scales. While the exact classroom teacher rates were not returned in the search, the NSW Department of Education’s award initiatives show principal salaries starting at $149,059, indicating that public school salaries are significantly above the federal award minimum.

How does casual loading work for high school teachers in NSW?

Under the federal award, casual teachers engaged for five or more consecutive days receive a 25% loading on the minimum rate. For engagements of less than five consecutive days, the rate is capped at Level 3. Casual rates are calculated as the weekly rate divided by five plus 25%, and are higher than the national minimum casual rate of $33.05 per hour.

High School Teacher Salary NSW: Award Rates and Pay Floors Explained

For private high school teachers in NSW, the minimum salary under the federal award ranges from $75,941 to $105,076 annually, while NSW public school teachers are covered by a separate state award with higher rates.

Understanding the high school teacher salary in NSW

When researching a high school teacher salary NSW, it is important to distinguish between the legal minimum set by modern awards and the higher negotiated rates that apply in the public sector. The pay floor for most private and independent high school teachers in New South Wales is the Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020, issued by the Fair Work Commission and enforced by the Fair Work Ombudsman. This award covers teachers in the school education industry, including high schools, and sets minimum rates based on classification levels.

For NSW public high school teachers, a separate state award – the Crown Employees (Teachers in Schools and Related Employees) Salaries and Conditions Award – applies. This award generally provides higher salaries than the federal minimum, reflecting the state government’s enterprise agreements. The Fair Work Ombudsman’s award does not cover these employees because they are under a state reference public sector modern award.

Minimum rates under the Educational Services (Teachers) Award

The award classifies teachers from Level 1 (graduate or provisional registration) to Level 5 (Highly Accomplished or Lead Teacher). For full-time employees in preschools and schools, the minimum weekly and annual rates from 1 July 2026 are:

Level 1: $1,455.40 per week / $75,941 per year
Level 2: $1,590.70 per week / $83,004 per year
Level 3: $1,731.70 per week / $90,362 per year
Level 4: $1,872.70 per week / $97,720 per year
Level 5: $2,013.70 per week / $105,076 per year

These rates are the legal minimum for award-covered teachers. Employers can pay more, but not less. The hourly equivalents range from $38.30 (Level 1) to $52.99 (Level 5), well above the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour. Casual teachers receive a 25% loading when engaged for five or more consecutive days, with rates capped at Level 3 for shorter engagements.

How NSW public school salaries compare

NSW public high school teachers are not covered by the federal award. Instead, their pay is determined by the state’s teachers award, which the NSW Department of Education administers. While the search did not return a specific classroom teacher salary for NSW public schools, the department’s award initiatives page shows that school principals (classified as TP1 or AP1) earn a salary of $149,059 per year, plus a complexity loading and superannuation. This indicates that public school salaries are substantially higher than the federal award minimum, especially for experienced teachers and leadership roles.

For a typical classroom teacher in a NSW public high school, the salary scale is published by the Department of Education and is generally above the federal Level 5 rate. The exact figures depend on experience and accreditation, but they reflect the state’s commitment to competitive remuneration.

The role of the national minimum wage

The national minimum wage, set by the Fair Work Commission at $26.44 per hour from 1 July 2026, acts as a backstop for all award-free employees. However, because the Educational Services (Teachers) Award provides rates well above this floor, the national minimum is rarely relevant for high school teachers. It does apply to award-free junior employees or those in introductory periods, but teachers are almost always covered by an award or agreement.

Superannuation and other payments

Employers must pay superannuation guarantee contributions of 12% on top of ordinary time earnings. For a teacher earning the Level 1 minimum of $75,941, the employer adds $9,113 in super, making the total remuneration package $85,054. This is separate from the salary and is not included in the award rates shown above.

Which minimum wage applies to you?

To determine your exact pay floor, check whether your school is covered by the federal award or a state award. Private and independent schools typically fall under the Educational Services (Teachers) Award. NSW public schools use the state award. If you are unsure, use the Which minimum wage applies guide or consult the Rate tables on this site. Always remember that an enterprise agreement or individual contract can set a higher rate than the award, but never lower.

FAQs

(FAQs are provided in the structured data above.)

For the published floors, see the rate tables and how the figures work.