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Head teacher salary NSW: $149,059 gross plus super and tax explained
Find the head teacher salary NSW figure for 2026, how it compares to the national line, superannuation at 12%, and tax on $149,059.
The head teacher salary NSW for a public school Assistant Principal or Head Teacher is $149,059 per year, which gives a Salary Index of about 138 – well above the national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings line of 100.
What is the head teacher salary NSW?
The head teacher salary NSW for a public school Assistant Principal or Head Teacher is $149,059 per year, according to the NSW Department of Education. This figure is the base gross salary under the NSW Teachers Award, and it puts the role well above the national average. On the Salary Index, where 100 equals full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 (from ABS Average Weekly Earnings May 2026), a head teacher salary of $149,059 scores about 138. That means a head teacher earns roughly 38% more than the typical full-time worker across all industries.
How the head teacher salary compares
To give context, the national line for education and training as an industry is 105.5 on the index. A head teacher at 138 is significantly higher than the industry average, reflecting the leadership responsibility. For comparison, a graduate teacher in NSW starts at $90,177 (index 83), and an experienced classroom teacher reaches $129,536 (index 120). The head teacher role sits between those and deputy principal ($174,034, index 161).
Gross pay, super, and tax on $149,059
Let's break down what $149,059 means in practice.
Gross pay: $149,059 per year, or $12,422 per month before deductions.
Superannuation: From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12%. On this salary, the employer must contribute $17,887 per year into the teacher's super fund. That brings the total remuneration package to about $166,946. The super is not included in the salary index calculation, which uses gross ordinary-time earnings only.
Tax: Using 2026–27 resident rates (with the tax-free threshold and 2% Medicare levy), the estimated tax on $149,059 is:
- $0 on first $18,200
- 15% on $26,800 ($4,020)
- 30% on $90,000 ($27,000)
- 37% on $14,059 ($5,202)
- Plus Medicare levy 2% of $149,059 = $2,981
- Total tax: $39,203 (rounded)
- Take-home pay: $109,856 per year or about $9,155 per month.
This estimate ignores HELP debts, salary sacrifice, or the Medicare levy surcharge. For a more detailed breakdown, see the how the index works page.
Where the head teacher salary comes from
The $149,059 figure is from the NSW Department of Education's salary schedule for Assistant Principals and Head Teachers. It is part of the NSW Teachers Award, which is a state industrial instrument. The Fair Work Ombudsman's Educational Services (Teachers) Award covers many teachers nationally, but NSW public school teachers are covered by the state award. The national award lists classification levels (Level 1 to 5) with weekly rates up to $2,013.70 (Level 5, about $104,712 annualised), but that is for classroom teachers, not head teachers. The NSW state award is the authoritative source for head teacher pay.
Additional benefits and allowances
Head teachers in rural and remote NSW public schools may receive:
- Relocation subsidies
- Rental subsidies (up to generous rental subsidies)
- Salary packaging (e.g., motor vehicles, computers, mobile phones)
- These are not included in the base salary but can boost total compensation.
Casual head teacher rates
If a head teacher works casually, the daily rate depends on experience. The NSW Department of Education lists:
- Casual Teacher 1: $466.44 per day
- Casual Teacher 2: $523.04 per day
- Casual Teacher 3: $582.38 per day These are for casual teachers, not necessarily head teachers, but they give a sense of daily pay.
How the salary index works
The Salary Index compares any gross annual salary to the national line of $108,352. A head teacher at $149,059 gives an index of 138. That is above the national line of 100. The index helps you see where a role sits relative to the average full-time worker. For state comparisons, NSW has an index of 101.2, so head teachers in NSW are well above the state average. For industry, education and training is 105.5, so head teachers are far above that industry benchmark.
Key takeaway
The head teacher salary NSW is $149,059 gross, plus 12% super, giving a total package near $167,000. After tax, take-home is about $110,000. This is a strong salary, reflected in the index of 138. For more on pay across different roles, see the industries and states pages.
Questions people ask
What is the head teacher salary NSW for 2026?
The NSW Department of Education sets the salary for an Assistant Principal or Head Teacher at $149,059 per year (as of January 2025 rates). This is the base gross salary before superannuation and tax. After the 4.75% award increase from 1 July 2026, the figure may be slightly higher, but the official 2026 rate had not been published at the time of writing. The salary index for this role is approximately 138, meaning it is 38% above the national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings line.
How much superannuation is paid on a head teacher salary in NSW?
From 1 July 2026, the superannuation guarantee is 12% of ordinary-time earnings. On a head teacher salary of $149,059, the employer must contribute $17,887 per year into the teacher's super fund. This is on top of the gross salary, so the total employment cost is about $166,946. The superannuation guarantee maximum contribution base for 2026–27 is $270,830, so the full 12% applies up to that limit.
What is the take-home pay after tax for a head teacher in NSW earning $149,059?
Using 2026–27 resident tax rates (including the 2% Medicare levy), the estimated tax on $149,059 is about $38,119. This includes $24,975 tax on the first $135,000 (30% of $90,000) plus $5,197 tax on the remaining $14,059 at 37%, plus $2,981 Medicare levy. After tax, the take-home pay is roughly $110,940 per year, or $9,245 per month. This estimate ignores HELP repayments, salary sacrifice, or the Medicare levy surcharge.