Which award covers teacher aides?

Teacher aides are covered by the Educational Services (Schools) General Staff Award (MA000076), not the Teachers Award. The award sets minimum pay rates based on classification levels.

Can a teacher aide be paid less than the award rate?

No, the award rate is the minimum. However, junior employees, apprentices, and those on supported wages may receive lower rates. Enterprise agreements can also set different rates but must not be less than the award.

Does the teacher aide salary include superannuation?

Superannuation is paid on top of the salary. Employers must contribute 12% of ordinary time earnings into a super fund. The award rates shown do not include super.

Teacher aide salary: award rates and minimum wage guide

The minimum teacher aide salary under the General Staff Award is $26.44 per hour (Level 1.1), with higher rates for higher classifications.

Understanding the teacher aide salary under Australian awards

When looking up a teacher aide salary, the first step is identifying which industrial instrument applies. Most teacher aides in Australian schools are covered by the Educational Services (Schools) General Staff Award 2020 (MA000076), not the Teachers Award. This award sets minimum hourly and weekly rates for classifications ranging from Level 1 to Level 8. Teacher aides typically fall into Level 1 or Level 2, depending on the complexity of duties and any required qualifications.

The legal minimum versus award rates

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a 38‑hour week. However, the General Staff Award provides its own minimum rates that are at least as high. For a Level 1.1 employee (the entry‑level classification), the award rate is exactly $26.44 per hour – the same as the national minimum. Higher classifications attract higher rates:

Level 1.2: $27.08/h
Level 2.1: $28.24/h
Level 2.2: $29.11/h

These figures come from the Fair Work Commission’s Modern Awards Pay Database and the pay guide published by the Fair Work Ombudsman. The award also includes penalty rates for weekend and shift work, overtime, and allowances for things like first aid duties.

It is important to remember that the award rate is a floor. An enterprise agreement or individual contract can set a higher rate, but never a lower one. Junior employees (under 21), apprentices, and employees on supported wages may receive less than the adult award rate, but only in accordance with the award’s specific provisions.

Award coverage for teacher aides

The General Staff Award applies to employees in schools who are not teachers. This includes teacher aides, learning support officers, administration staff, and other non‑teaching roles. The award classifies employees into eight levels based on skill, responsibility, and qualifications. Teacher aides often start at Level 1 or Level 2, but those with a Certificate III or higher may be classified at Level 3 or above.

For award‑free employees (those not covered by any award or agreement), the national minimum wage applies. However, most teacher aides in private and public schools are covered by this award. If you are unsure whether your role is covered, check the award’s coverage clause or use the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Which minimum wage applies tool.

How superannuation applies

All employer‑paid superannuation is on top of the salary. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings. So a teacher aide earning the Level 1.1 rate of $26.44 per hour would also receive an additional 12% super contribution, making the total employment cost about $29.61 per hour. The award rates quoted do not include super; they are the cash wages before tax and super.

Comparing with other sources

The Australian Bureau of Statistics publishes average weekly earnings for all employees, but these figures are not specific to teacher aides. The May 2026 ABS data shows full‑time adult ordinary‑time earnings of $2,083.70 per week and all‑employee average total earnings of $1,579.20 per week. These averages include many higher‑paid occupations, so they are not a reliable benchmark for a teacher aide salary. Enterprise agreements in some states or independent schools may set higher rates, but no national survey average for teacher aides is publicly available from the ABS or the ATO.

Practical steps for checking your pay

Identify your classification under the General Staff Award using the classification descriptions in the award.
Compare your hourly or weekly rate to the award minimum for that classification.
Add any applicable penalty rates, allowances, and overtime.
Remember that super is paid on top.

If your rate is below the award minimum, you may be entitled to back pay. The Fair Work Ombudsman can help with enforcement. For more detail on how rates are calculated, see our Rate tables page.

Frequently asked questions

See the FAQs below for common queries about award coverage, junior rates, and superannuation.

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