What is the minimum salary for a graduate teacher in NSW?

Under the Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020, the minimum annual salary for a Level 1 teacher (graduate) in preschools and schools is $75,941, which equates to $1,455.40 per week. However, the NSW Department of Education pays its graduate teachers $90,177 per year under a separate state determination. The award rate is the legal floor; any enterprise agreement or state government pay scale can set a higher rate.

Are NSW public school teachers paid under the federal award or a different agreement?

NSW public school teachers are employed by the state government and are covered by the Crown Employees (Teachers in Schools and Related Employees) Salaries and Conditions Award, which is a state award. This award sets higher rates than the federal Educational Services Award. For example, a graduate teacher under the state award earns $90,177, compared to the federal minimum of $75,941. The federal award applies to teachers in private schools, early childhood services, and other non-government employers.

How does superannuation affect the total remuneration for teachers?

Superannuation is paid on top of the salary. Under the Superannuation Guarantee, employers must contribute 12% of ordinary time earnings to a super fund. For a teacher earning $90,177, that adds $10,821 in super contributions per year. The total remuneration package (salary plus super) is therefore higher than the base salary figure. The award and state determination both require super contributions in line with the Superannuation Guarantee.

NSW Teachers Salary: Award Minimums and Above-Award Pay

The legal minimum for a graduate teacher under the federal award is $75,941 per year ($1,455.40 per week), but NSW public school teachers start at $90,177 under the state determination.

Understanding the NSW teachers salary floor

When researching "nsw teachers salary", it is important to distinguish between the legal minimum under the federal award and the actual pay rates offered by major employers. Most teachers in NSW are covered by either the federal Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020 or a state government determination. The federal award, published by the Fair Work Ombudsman, sets minimum rates for teachers in preschools, schools, and long day care centres. The NSW Department of Education, the largest employer of teachers in the state, pays above those minimums under its own award.

Award minimums from the Fair Work Ombudsman

The Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020, as consolidated to 1 July 2026, provides the following minimum weekly and annual rates for full-time teachers in preschools and schools:

Level 1 (graduate teacher): $1,455.40 per week / $75,941 per year
Level 2 (proficient accreditation): $1,590.70 per week / $83,004 per year
Level 3 (proficient after 3 years at Level 2): $1,731.70 per week / $90,362 per year
Level 4 (proficient after 3 years at Level 3): $1,872.70 per week / $97,720 per year
Level 5 (Highly Accomplished/Lead Teacher): $2,013.70 per week / $105,076 per year

These rates apply to teachers employed by private schools, independent schools, and many early childhood services. The award also specifies that casual teachers engaged for less than five consecutive days cannot be paid above Level 3 rates. For long day care centres, the rates are slightly higher (e.g., Level 1: $78,979 per year).

NSW public school teachers: above award

The NSW Department of Education publishes its own salary scales for teachers in public schools. As of October 2025, a graduate teacher starts at $90,177 per year, rising to $129,536 for an experienced teacher on the top step. This is significantly above the federal award minimum. The department also lists salaries for leadership roles: Assistant Principal or Head Teacher $149,059, Deputy Principal $174,034, Principal $229,435, and Executive Principal $245,989. Casual teachers are paid daily rates ranging from $466.44 to $582.38 depending on experience.

These rates are set by the Crown Employees (Teachers in Schools and Related Employees) Salaries and Conditions Award, a state award that overrides the federal award for NSW public school employees. The state award is negotiated between the government and unions, and it reflects the higher cost of living and competitive labour market for teachers in NSW.

Casual and part-time teacher pay

For casual teachers not covered by the state award, the federal award sets a minimum daily rate. For a Level 1 casual teacher, the daily rate is $305.88 (based on 7.6 hours at $40.25 per hour, which includes the casual loading). However, the NSW Department of Education pays casual teachers a minimum of $466.44 per day for graduate-level accreditation. Part-time teachers are paid pro-rata based on the full-time rate for their classification.

Superannuation: an employer contribution on top

All teacher salaries discussed above are before superannuation. Under the Superannuation Guarantee, employers must contribute 12% of ordinary time earnings to a super fund. For a teacher earning $90,177, that adds $10,821 in super per year. The total cost to the employer is therefore salary plus super. The award and state determination both require compliance with the Superannuation Guarantee.

When the national minimum wage applies

The national minimum wage ($26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week from 1 July 2026) is a backstop for employees not covered by an award or agreement. However, almost all teachers in NSW are covered by either the federal award or a state award. If a teacher were somehow award-free (unlikely), the national minimum would apply. The award rates are substantially higher than the national minimum.

How to check your correct rate

If you are a teacher in NSW, your correct minimum wage depends on your employer and the applicable award or agreement. For private schools and early childhood services, refer to the Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020 via the Fair Work Ombudsman. For NSW public schools, refer to the Crown Employees Award. Enterprise agreements may set higher rates. Use our Which minimum wage applies guide to determine your coverage, or see our Rate tables for award classifications.

Summary

The phrase "nsw teachers salary" covers a range from the federal award minimum of $75,941 for a graduate to over $245,000 for an executive principal in the public system. The legal floor is the award rate, but most teachers earn above it. Superannuation is an additional 12% on top. Always check the specific award or agreement that covers your role.

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