Teacher salary NSW: award rates, public school pay, and the legal minimum

Teacher salary NSW: what you need to know

When researching teacher salary NSW, it is important to distinguish between the legal minimum set by the federal award, the higher rates paid by NSW public schools, and what you might actually take home after tax and super. This guide uses the most current public figures from the Fair Work Ombudsman and the NSW Department of Education.

The legal minimum under the federal award

The Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020 (MA000077) covers many teachers in preschools, schools, and early childhood services across Australia, including NSW. The Fair Work Commission sets the rates, and the Fair Work Ombudsman publishes the pay guide. From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, the minimum weekly rates for full-time teachers in preschools and schools are:

• 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 (after 3 years at Level 2): $1,731.70 per week ($90,362 per year)
• Level 4 (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 are the legal minimum for employees covered by the award. An enterprise agreement or individual contract can set a higher rate, but not lower. The hourly equivalent for Level 1 is $38.30, well above the national minimum wage of $26.44. Casual teachers engaged for less than five consecutive days cannot be paid above Level 3 rates. For full details, see the pay guide or the award text.

NSW public school teacher salaries

Teachers employed by the NSW Department of Education are covered by a state-based award and enterprise agreement, not the federal award. The department publishes its own salary scale, which is significantly higher. As of October 2025:

• New graduate: $90,177 per year (about $1,734 per week)
• Experienced teacher (top of 7-step scale): $129,536 per year
• Assistant Principal or Head Teacher: $149,059
• Deputy Principal: $174,034
• Principal: $229,435
• Executive Principal: $245,989

These are negotiated salaries, not minimum rates. They reflect the value placed on teaching in the public system and include incremental progression based on accreditation and experience. The department also offers additional benefits for rural and remote schools, such as relocation subsidies and rental assistance. Salary packaging is available for eligible employees. See the page for more.

Casual teaching rates

Casual teachers have different pay structures. Under the federal award, a casual teacher at Level 1 earns a full-day rate of $363.85 (up to 4 hours: $191.52). However, casuals engaged for less than five consecutive days cannot be paid above Level 3 rates. In NSW public schools, casual teachers are paid a daily rate based on their accreditation level:

• Casual Teacher 1 (graduate): $466.44 per day
• Casual Teacher 2: $523.04 per day
• Casual Teacher 3: $582.38 per day

These daily rates are higher than the federal award casual rates, reflecting the NSW public school agreement.

Superannuation and tax considerations

All salary figures quoted are before tax and do not include superannuation. Employers must pay superannuation guarantee contributions of 12% on top of ordinary time earnings. For a teacher earning $90,177, that adds $10,821 in super per year. The award also requires super contributions to avoid the super guarantee charge.

Tax is withheld by the employer using PAYG withholding. For the 2026-27 tax year, a teacher earning $90,177 would pay an estimated $19,717 in tax plus $1,804 in Medicare levy (2% of taxable income above $30,000), leaving a net take-home of about $68,656 per year, or $1,320 per week. This is a rough estimate and does not include the low income tax offset, HELP repayments, or salary sacrifice arrangements.

How to determine which minimum applies

If you are a teacher in NSW, check your employment contract and the applicable award or agreement. The federal award covers many private preschools, independent schools, and early childhood centres. NSW public schools have their own state award. If you are award-free and agreement-free, the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week) applies, but this is rare for qualified teachers. For more guidance, see Which minimum wage applies and Rate tables.

Summary

The teacher salary NSW landscape has two main tiers: the federal award minimum (around $75,941 for graduates) and the NSW public school rate (starting at $90,177). Both are well above the national minimum wage. Always check your specific award or agreement, and remember that super is paid on top of your salary.

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