Education assistant salary: gross pay, super, and tax explained

What is an education assistant salary?

An education assistant (also called teacher aide, integration aide, or preschool aide) works alongside teachers to support students in schools and early childhood settings. The role is covered by the ANZSCO occupation group Education Aides (4221), which includes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Workers, Integration Aides, Preschool Aides, and Teachers’ Aides. Most education assistants are employed under the Educational Services (Schools) General Staff Award 2020 (Fair Work Ombudsman), which sets minimum pay rates for different classification levels.

Where does the education assistant salary sit on the Salary Index?

The most reliable benchmark for a full-time education assistant salary comes from the Australian Bureau of Statistics Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, published by Jobs and Skills Australia. The median weekly earnings for full-time non-managerial Education Aides is $1,342. Annualised (52.18 weeks), that is $69,784 before tax.

On the Salary Index, where 100 equals full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026), the education assistant salary index is:

69,784 ÷ 108,352 × 100 = 64.4

This is well below the national average. For context, the Education and Training industry index is 105.5, and the national minimum wage index is 48.2. Education assistants earn more than the minimum wage but significantly less than the average full-time worker.

State and territory indices vary. For example, the ACT index is 109.9 and Western Australia is 106.9, while Tasmania is 88.6. An education assistant in a higher-index state may earn slightly more, but the occupation’s median is still below the state average. See states for more detail.

Gross pay, super, and tax for education assistants

Gross pay

The $1,342 weekly figure is gross ordinary-time earnings before tax and before any salary sacrifice. It applies to full-time employees working an average of 39 hours per week. Part-time education assistants (69% of the workforce) earn proportionally less. Casual employees receive a 25% loading on the hourly rate, which for the national minimum wage example would be $33.05 per hour.

Superannuation

From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of gross ordinary-time earnings. For a full-time education assistant on $69,784, that means an extra $8,374 per year paid into their super fund. The super is not included in the Salary Index figure, which is based on gross ordinary-time earnings only. The maximum super contribution base for 2026–27 is $270,830, well above this salary.

Tax

Using the 2026–27 resident tax rates (excluding Medicare):

• $0 – $18,200: nil
• $18,201 – $45,000: 15%
• $45,001 – $135,000: 30%
• $135,001 – $190,000: 37%
• Above $190,000: 45%

For a gross salary of $69,784:

• Tax on first $18,200: $0
• Tax on $18,201 to $45,000 ($26,800): $4,020
• Tax on $45,001 to $69,784 ($24,784): $7,435
• Total income tax: $11,455
• Medicare levy (2%): $1,396
• Total deductions: $12,851
• Estimated take-home: $56,933 per year (or $1,091 per week)

This estimate assumes the tax-free threshold, no HELP debt, no salary sacrifice, and no Medicare levy surcharge. Actual take-home may differ.

Award minimums and how they compare

The Educational Services (Schools) General Staff Award 2020 sets minimum rates for education assistants. The award has eight levels. For example:

• Level 1.1: $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week, annualised $52,436)
• Level 3.1: $29.47 per hour ($1,119.90 per week, annualised $58,436)
• Level 6.2: $39.10 per hour ($1,485.90 per week, annualised $77,534)

The median full-time earnings of $1,342 per week sit between Level 5.2 ($1,343.10) and Level 6.1 ($1,391.30). This suggests many education assistants are classified at Level 5 or 6, or receive above-award pay. However, the median is for all Education Aides, not just those under this award. Some education assistants in early childhood or non-school settings may be covered by different awards.

For a deeper look at how pay varies by industry, see industries. To understand how the index is calculated, visit how the index works. For more on pay guides, see pay guides.

Key takeaways

The education assistant salary in Australia is modest compared to the national average. Full-time median earnings of $69,784 give a Salary Index of 64.4. Super adds 12% on top, and tax reduces take-home to around $56,933. Award rates provide a floor, but actual pay can be higher depending on classification and employer. If you are considering this career, check the relevant award and your state’s labour market at topics.