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NSW teacher salary 2026: gross pay, super and tax explained
What NSW teachers earn in 2026: graduate and experienced salaries, principal pay, casual rates, super and tax. Compare with the national index.
A graduate teacher in NSW earns $90,177 (index 83.2) and an experienced teacher $129,536 (index 119.5), while a principal can reach $229,435 (index 211.8).
What does a NSW teacher earn in 2026?
Teaching salaries in New South Wales are set by a combination of state industrial awards and enterprise agreements. The keyword nsw teacher salary 2026 covers everyone from a first-year graduate to a school principal. This guide breaks down the gross pay, superannuation, and tax for the main roles, and shows where each figure sits on the national salary index.
The salary index: a quick reference
The Salary Index measures yearly gross pay against the national line of $108,352 (full-time adult ordinary-time earnings from the ABS, May 2026). An index of 100 means you earn exactly the national average. Above 100 is above average; below is below. For example, the national minimum wage of $52,255 has an index of 48.2.
Graduate and experienced teacher salaries
According to the NSW Department of Education, a new graduate teacher earns $90,177 per year. That gives an index of 83.2 – about 17% below the national line. After seven steps on the pay scale, an experienced teacher reaches $129,536, index 119.5 – nearly 20% above the national average.
These figures are gross, before tax and super. The award also sets minimum rates under the Educational Services (Teachers) Award MA000077. The Fair Work Ombudsman’s pay guide for 2026 lists weekly rates for teachers in preschools and schools: Level 1 at $1,455.40 ($38.30/hr) up to Level 5 at $2,013.70 ($52.99/hr). NSW public school teachers are paid above these award minima through enterprise agreements.
Casual teaching rates
Casual teachers in NSW public schools are paid a daily rate based on their accreditation level. As of October 2025, the rates are: Casual Teacher 1 $466.44, CT2 $523.04, CT3 $582.38. These daily rates include a casual loading. A casual teacher working 200 days a year at the CT3 rate would earn about $116,476, index 107.5.
School leadership salaries
Assistant principals and head teachers earn $149,059 (index 137.6). Deputy principals receive $174,034 (index 160.6). Principals earn $229,435 (index 211.8), and executive principals $245,989 (index 227.0). These roles also attract complexity loadings for larger schools, as shown in the principal classification table.
Superannuation in 2026
From 1 July 2026, the superannuation guarantee is 12% of ordinary-time earnings. For a graduate teacher on $90,177, the employer contributes about $10,821 per year. For an experienced teacher on $129,536, super adds $15,544. For a principal on $229,435, super is $27,532. These contributions are in addition to the gross salary and are not included in the index figures above (the index uses gross pay only).
Some NSW teachers may also have access to salary sacrifice arrangements for vehicles or computers, which can reduce taxable income.
Tax on teacher salaries
Using 2026–27 resident tax rates (tax-free threshold up to $18,200, then 15% to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, 37% to $190,000, 45% above, plus 2% Medicare levy), here are approximate annual tax figures:
- Graduate ($90,177): tax about $19,088, take-home $71,089.
- Experienced ($129,536): tax about $31,688, take-home $97,848.
- Principal ($229,435): tax about $67,588, take-home $161,847.
These estimates ignore HELP repayments, the Medicare levy reduction, or salary sacrifice. Actual take-home will vary.
How NSW teacher pay compares across states and industries
NSW has a state index of 101.2, slightly above the national line. The states page shows Victoria at 98, Queensland at 97.9, and the ACT at 109.9. Within education and training, the industry index is 105.5 – meaning the sector as a whole pays about 5.5% above the national average. Teacher salaries in NSW generally align with or exceed that sector average, especially at senior levels.
For context, the industries page shows mining at 154.7 and retail trade at 75.9. Teaching sits comfortably in the middle, with strong progression from graduate to principal.
Where to find current pay guides
The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes award summaries and pay guides for the Educational Services (Teachers) Award. You can check the latest rates on the pay guides page. The NSW Department of Education also updates its salary pages when enterprise agreements are finalised.
Key takeaways
- Graduate teacher: $90,177, index 83.2.
- Experienced teacher: $129,536, index 119.5.
- Principal: $229,435, index 211.8.
- Super at 12% adds significantly to total remuneration.
- Tax reduces gross pay by roughly 21–29% depending on the bracket.
For more on how the index works, see how the index works. For a broader look at teacher pay across Australia, visit topics.
Questions people ask
What is the starting salary for a NSW teacher in 2026?
A graduate teacher in NSW public schools starts at $90,177 per year under the current award. This is above the national minimum wage and sits at an index of 83.2 compared to the national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352.
How much super do NSW teachers get in 2026?
From 1 July 2026, the superannuation guarantee is 12% of ordinary-time earnings. For a teacher on $90,177, that adds $10,821 in employer super contributions. Some teachers may have additional super through salary sacrifice or defined benefit schemes.
What is the take-home pay after tax for a NSW teacher on $129,536?
Using 2026–27 tax rates (including 2% Medicare levy), a resident teacher earning $129,536 would pay about $31,688 in tax and Medicare, leaving a take-home of roughly $97,848 per year, or $1,882 per week. This excludes HELP repayments or salary sacrifice.