What is the minimum wage for a NSW teacher in 2026?

The minimum wage for a teacher covered by the Educational Services (Teachers) Award is the award rate. For a Level 1 teacher in preschools or schools, the minimum is $38.30 per hour or $1,455.40 per week from 1 July 2026. This is higher than the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour.

How does the award rate compare to the national minimum wage?

The national minimum wage is a backstop for award-free employees. For teachers covered by the award, the award rate is the legal minimum. The Level 1 award rate of $38.30 is 45% above the national minimum of $26.44. However, junior, apprentice, or supported wage rates may apply in some cases.

Are NSW government teacher salaries higher than the award rate?

Yes. NSW government school teachers are employed under enterprise agreements that set salaries well above the award minimum. For example, principal classification thresholds from the NSW Department of Education show total remuneration packages starting around $168,946 for a TP1/AP1 principal. Classroom teacher salaries are also higher than the award, though exact figures are set by agreement and not published in this guide.

NSW Teacher Salary 2026: Award Minimums and the Pay Floor Under the Educational Services Award

The minimum award rate for a Level 1 teacher in NSW preschools and schools is $38.30 per hour ($1,455.40 per week) from 1 July 2026, with super on top.

NSW Teacher Salary 2026: Understanding the Pay Floor

When researching the NSW teacher salary 2026, it is important to distinguish between the legal minimum under the award and the actual salaries paid by employers. This guide explains the pay floor set by the Educational Services (Teachers) Award and how it compares to the national minimum wage.

The Legal Minimum: National Minimum Wage vs Award Coverage

The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage each year. From 1 July 2026, the adult national minimum is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week). This rate applies to award-free and agreement-free employees in the national system. However, most teachers in NSW are covered by a modern award or an enterprise agreement, which sets a higher minimum. The national minimum acts as a backstop: no award classification can fall below it.

For teachers, the relevant modern award is the Educational Services (Teachers) Award [MA000077]. The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes a pay guide summarising the rates. Under this award, the minimum pay for a teacher depends on their classification level and the type of centre (preschool, school, or long day care).

Award Rates for Teachers Under the Educational Services Award

From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, the award rates for teachers in preschools and schools are:

Level 1: $38.30 per hour, $1,455.40 per week
Level 2: $41.86 per hour, $1,590.70 per week
Level 3: $45.57 per hour, $1,731.70 per week
Level 4: $49.28 per hour, $1,872.70 per week
Level 5: $52.99 per hour, $2,013.70 per week

Casual teachers engaged for less than five consecutive days cannot be paid above Level 3. Casual rates include a loading and are higher than the hourly rates shown above.

Teachers in long day care centres have slightly different rates. For example, a Level 1 teacher in a long day care centre receives $39.83 per hour ($1,513.60 per week) and additional penalty rates for Saturday, overtime, and shift work.

These rates are the legal minimum for that classification under the award. An enterprise agreement or individual contract can set a higher rate, but never lower.

How NSW Government Teacher Salaries Compare

The award rates above are the floor. In practice, NSW government school teachers are employed under enterprise agreements negotiated between the NSW Department of Education and unions. These agreements set salaries well above the award minimum. For instance, the NSW Department of Education’s principal classification thresholds for 2026 show total remuneration packages (including super) starting at $168,946 for a TP1 or AP1 principal. Classroom teacher salaries are also higher than the award, though exact figures are determined by the agreement and are not published in this guide.

If you are a teacher in a non-government school or a long day care centre, your employer may apply the award rate or a higher enterprise agreement rate. Always check your pay slip against the award classification that matches your duties.

Superannuation and Total Package

Employers must pay superannuation guarantee of 12% on top of ordinary time earnings. For a Level 1 teacher on the award rate, that means an additional $4.60 per hour (12% of $38.30) goes into your super fund. The total remuneration including super is approximately $42.90 per hour. This is separate from the cash wage.

Using This Information

To determine which pay floor applies to you, start by identifying whether you are covered by the Educational Services (Teachers) Award or a different award. If you are award-free, the national minimum wage applies. For more guidance, see Which minimum wage applies and Rate tables.

Remember that the award rate is a minimum. If your employer is paying less, you may be underpaid. Contact the Fair Work Ombudsman for advice. If you are paid above the award, that is fine – the award sets the floor, not the ceiling.

This guide uses publicly available data from the Fair Work Ombudsman, the Fair Work Commission, and the NSW Department of Education. It is for orientation only and does not constitute legal or financial advice.

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