What is the minimum wage for a primary school teacher in NSW?

There is no single minimum. The national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour (from 1 July 2026), but primary school teachers are almost always covered by an award that sets a higher minimum. For private schools, the Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020 sets a minimum of $38.30 per hour at Level 1. For NSW public schools, the Crown Employees (Teachers in Schools and Related Employees) Award 2024 sets annual salaries starting at $92,882 (from October 2026), which equates to roughly $47.00 per hour.

Do public and private school teachers have different minimum pay?

Yes. Public school teachers in NSW are covered by the state Crown Employees Award, while private school teachers are covered by the national Educational Services Award. The rates differ. For example, a graduate teacher in a public school (Step 1) earns about $92,882 per year from October 2026, while a Level 1 teacher under the Educational Services Award earns $38.30 per hour (about $75,660 per year for a full-time 38-hour week). Both are well above the national minimum wage.

How does superannuation affect the total package?

Superannuation is paid on top of the base salary. The super guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings (from 1 July 2026). So a teacher earning $38.30 per hour would have an additional $4.60 per hour contributed to super, making the total remuneration $42.90 per hour. For NSW public school teachers, the annual salary figures in the Crown Employees Award do not include super; the employer pays 12% on top.

Primary School Teacher Salary NSW: Which Pay Floor Applies?

Primary school teachers in NSW are covered by either the Educational Services Award (private schools) or the Crown Employees Award (public schools), with minimum hourly rates ranging from $38.30 to over $55 depending on level and sector.

Primary school teacher salary NSW: understanding the pay floor

When researching a primary school teacher salary NSW, it is important to separate the legal minimum wage from the award rates that actually apply. Most primary school teachers in NSW are covered by either the national Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020 (for private and independent schools) or the NSW Crown Employees (Teachers in Schools and Related Employees) Award 2024 (for public schools). Both set minimum pay well above the national minimum wage.

The national minimum wage as a backstop

The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage, which from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a full-time adult employee. This is the absolute floor for award-free employees. However, primary school teachers are rarely award-free. If a teacher is not covered by any award or enterprise agreement, the national minimum would apply, but in practice almost all teachers are covered by one of the two awards mentioned above.

The Educational Services Award (private schools)

The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes a pay guide for the Educational Services (Teachers) Award [MA000077]. For teachers in preschools and schools, the award sets minimum hourly rates from Level 1 ($38.30) up to Level 5 ($52.99) as of the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026. These rates apply to full-time and part-time employees. Casual teachers receive a higher rate (including a 25% loading) but are capped at Level 3 if engaged for less than five consecutive days. The award also covers teachers in long day care centres with slightly different rates. Importantly, an enterprise agreement can set a higher rate than the award, but never lower.

The NSW Crown Employees Award (public schools)

For NSW public school teachers, the Crown Employees (Teachers in Schools and Related Employees) Award 2024 applies. This award was made by the NSW Industrial Relations Commission and provides for annual salaries based on accreditation level. From the first pay period on or after 9 October 2026, the salary for a Step 1 teacher (Graduate) is $92,882 per year, rising to $141,997 for a Highly Accomplished/Lead Teacher. These are annual figures; dividing by 52 weeks and 38 hours gives an hourly equivalent of roughly $47.00 for Step 1. The award also includes salary packaging provisions and progression steps based on standards-based remuneration.

Comparing the rates

A primary school teacher in a private school at the lowest classification (Level 1) earns at least $38.30 per hour under the Educational Services Award. A public school graduate teacher earns about $47.00 per hour under the Crown Employees Award. Both are significantly above the national minimum of $26.44. The difference reflects the different industrial relations systems and funding arrangements. Teachers should check their specific classification and any applicable enterprise agreement to ensure they are receiving at least the minimum.

Superannuation is on top

All figures discussed are base salary before tax. The superannuation guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings, paid by the employer on top. For a teacher on $38.30 per hour, the employer contributes an extra $4.60 per hour into super. For a public school teacher on $92,882 per year, the employer contributes about $11,146 per year in super. This total remuneration package is higher than the base salary.

For more details on how minimum wages work across different industries, see Which minimum wage applies and the Rate tables for comparisons.

What about averages?

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reports average weekly earnings, but these are not minimums. In May 2026, full-time adult ordinary-time earnings were $2,083.70 per week. A primary school teacher's salary may be below that average depending on experience and sector. The figures in this guide are legal minimums only.

Summary

The pay floor for a primary school teacher in NSW depends on whether they work in a public or private school. Both awards set rates well above the national minimum wage. Teachers should verify their classification and award coverage to ensure they are paid correctly. Enterprise agreements may provide even higher rates.

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