Secondary school teacher salary: award minimums and how to check your rate

Secondary school teacher salary: award minimums and how to check your rate

If you are a secondary school teacher in Australia, your pay is likely covered by the Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020 (MA000077). This award sets minimum wages, allowances, and conditions for teachers in the school education industry. Understanding the award minimums helps you check whether your salary meets the legal floor.

The award minimum for secondary school teachers

The award classifies teachers into five levels based on accreditation or registration. For secondary school teachers working in preschools or schools, the minimum rates from 1 July 2026 are:

• Level 1 (graduate teacher): $38.30 per hour, $1,455.40 per week, $75,941 per year
• Level 2 (proficient accreditation): $41.86 per hour, $1,590.70 per week, $83,004 per year
• Level 3 (proficient after 3 years at Level 2): $45.57 per hour, $1,731.70 per week, $90,362 per year
• Level 4 (proficient after 3 years at Level 3): $49.28 per hour, $1,872.70 per week, $97,720 per year
• Level 5 (Highly Accomplished/Lead Teacher): $52.99 per hour, $2,013.70 per week, $105,076 per year

These rates are from the Fair Work Ombudsman’s pay guide and the Fair Work Commission’s modern award. The award also requires employers to pay superannuation of 12% on top of these amounts.

How the award minimum compares to the national minimum wage

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour for adults. The lowest teacher award rate ($38.30) is well above that, reflecting the professional qualifications required. However, the national minimum is a backstop: no award can set a rate below it, and award-free employees must receive at least the national minimum.

What if you are covered by an enterprise agreement?

Many secondary school teachers are employed under enterprise agreements negotiated between employers and unions. These agreements can set higher salaries than the award. If your agreement says you are paid a certain annual salary, check that it is at least equal to the award rate for your classification. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides tools to compare your pay.

What about casual or part-time teachers?

Casual teachers engaged for less than five consecutive days are paid no higher than the Level 3 rate, with a casual loading included. Part-time teachers are paid pro-rata based on the full-time weekly rate. The award details these arrangements.

How to check your secondary school teacher salary

1. Find your classification level based on your accreditation (graduate, proficient, lead).
2. Look up the corresponding minimum weekly or hourly rate in the award.
3. Compare it to your contract or payslip. Remember that super is additional.
4. If you are covered by an enterprise agreement, check that its rates are not lower than the award.

For more guidance, see Which minimum wage applies and the Rate tables on this site.

What the ABS data says

The Australian Bureau of Statistics publishes average earnings for all employees, but does not release a specific average for secondary school teachers in its May 2026 release. The all-employees average total earnings was $1,579.20 per week. A graduate teacher on the award minimum ($1,455.40) is slightly below that average, while a Level 2 teacher ($1,590.70) is slightly above. Actual teacher salaries can vary widely by state, sector (government, Catholic, independent), and experience.

Remember: the award is a floor, not a ceiling

Your secondary school teacher salary can be higher than the award minimum. Enterprise agreements, individual contracts, or state government pay scales often set higher rates. Always check your specific employment terms. The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage and modern awards; the Fair Work Ombudsman explains and enforces them.

For more information, visit Guides or How the figures work.