What is the minimum wage for a PE teacher?

The minimum wage for a PE teacher depends on the classification under the Educational Services (Teachers) Award. For a graduate teacher (Level 1) in preschools and schools, the minimum hourly rate is $38.30 as of 1 July 2026. Teachers with proficient accreditation (Level 2) earn at least $41.86 per hour. In long day care centres, rates are slightly higher. These are legal minimums; many teachers receive more under enterprise agreements or individual contracts.

How does superannuation apply to a PE teacher salary?

Superannuation is an employer contribution paid on top of your ordinary time earnings. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee rate is 12% of your gross pay. For a PE teacher earning the award minimum of $38.30 per hour, the employer must also contribute an additional $4.60 per hour into a super fund. This is not deducted from your salary; it is an extra payment.

What if my PE teacher salary is above the award rate?

If you are paid above the award minimum, your employer must still meet all other award conditions such as penalty rates, overtime, and allowances. The award sets a floor, not a ceiling. Enterprise agreements or individual flexibility arrangements can set higher rates. Always check your pay slip against the award classification that matches your duties and qualifications.

PE Teacher Salary: Award Minimum Rates and How to Check Your Pay

For a PE teacher covered by the Educational Services (Teachers) Award, the minimum hourly rate is $38.30 (Level 1, preschools/schools) as of 1 July 2026, plus 12% super; rates vary by classification and workplace.

PE Teacher Salary: Understanding the Legal Minimum

If you are searching for a pe teacher salary in Australia, the first thing to know is that most PE teachers are covered by the Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020 (MA000077). This award sets minimum pay rates for teachers in preschools, schools, and long day care centres. The rates are updated each year by the Fair Work Commission, and the current rates apply from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026.

Award Classification and Pay Levels

The award groups teachers into five levels based on accreditation and experience. A PE teacher starting out with provisional or conditional registration is classified as Level 1. After achieving proficient accreditation, you move to Level 2, and after three years at Level 2 you progress to Level 3, and so on up to Level 5 for Highly Accomplished or Lead Teachers. The minimum weekly pay for a full-time Level 1 teacher in a preschool or school is $1,455.40, which works out to $38.30 per hour for a 38‑hour week. At Level 5, the minimum is $2,013.70 per week or $52.99 per hour.

For PE teachers working in long day care centres, the rates are slightly higher. Level 1 in long day care pays $1,513.60 per week ($39.83 per hour). The award also specifies casual rates: a casual PE teacher engaged for fewer than five consecutive days cannot be paid above Level 3, and receives a full‑day rate of $432.93 (Level 3) or a half‑day rate of $216.46.

How the Award Relates to the National Minimum Wage

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week. However, if you are covered by the Teachers Award, your minimum pay is the award rate, which is higher. The award acts as a backstop: no classification can fall below the national minimum. Some awards have introductory rates that are lower, but the Teachers Award does not – even Level 1 is well above the national minimum.

Superannuation Is an Extra Payment

When discussing a pe teacher salary, remember that superannuation is paid on top. The super guarantee rate is 12% of your ordinary time earnings from 1 July 2026. So if you earn $38.30 per hour, your employer must contribute an additional $4.60 per hour into your super fund. This is not deducted from your pay; it is an employer cost. Always check that your pay slip shows the correct super contributions.

What If You Are Paid Above the Award?

Many PE teachers are employed under enterprise agreements or individual contracts that pay more than the award minimum. In that case, the award still applies for conditions like penalty rates, overtime, and allowances unless the agreement provides a better overall outcome. You can use the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay and Conditions Tool to compare your pay against the award. Our Rate tables page lists the current award rates for each classification.

How to Check Your Pay

To see if your pe teacher salary meets the legal minimum, follow these steps:

Find your classification in the award (Level 1 to 5) based on your accreditation and years of service.
Check whether you work in a preschool/school or a long day care centre – the rates differ.
Compare your hourly or weekly pay to the award rate. Remember that part‑time teachers are paid pro‑rata.
Add 12% super to your gross pay to see the total cost to your employer.

If your pay is below the award rate, you may be entitled to back pay. Contact the Fair Work Ombudsman for advice. For more detail on how these figures are calculated, see our How the figures work guide.

Limitations of This Guide

This guide uses the minimum rates from the Educational Services (Teachers) Award. It does not cover state‑system employees in some public schools or teachers covered by separate enterprise agreements. The figures are a starting point – your actual salary may be higher. Always refer to your employment contract and the applicable award or agreement.

Summary

The legal minimum for a pe teacher salary under the Teachers Award is $38.30 per hour for a graduate teacher in a school. With super, the total employer cost is about $42.90 per hour. As you gain accreditation and experience, your minimum rate rises. Use the award rates as a benchmark, but remember that many PE teachers earn more through enterprise bargaining or individual negotiation.