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Queensland Teacher Salary: How It Compares to National Earnings
Queensland teacher salary ranges from $86,601 for beginners to over $104,000 for experienced teachers. See how it compares to the national average and award rates.
A beginning Queensland teacher salary of $86,601 sits at an index of about 80, well below the national line of 100, while an experienced teacher at the top award level reaches an index near 97.
Understanding the Queensland Teacher Salary
When people search for "queensland teacher salary", they usually want to know what a teacher in Queensland state schools actually earns and how that compares to other jobs. This guide uses the latest public information from the Queensland Government and the Fair Work Ombudsman to give you a clear picture.
What the Queensland Government Pays
According to the official teach..au site, a beginning teacher with a four-year degree in Queensland state schools earns a base salary of approximately $86,601 per year (as at September 2026). Casual teachers are paid about $99 per hour. These rates are set by the Teaching in State Education Award – State 2016, administered by the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission.
As teachers gain experience, they can move up pay bands. The government provides an example career progression from Band 2 Step 1 (beginning) through to Senior Teacher, Experienced Senior Teacher, and leadership roles like Head of Department or Principal. The top of the classroom teacher scale (Highly Accomplished and Lead Teacher) would be higher than the starting rate.
Award Minimums from Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes a pay guide for the Educational Services (Teachers) Award [MA000077], effective from 1 July 2026. This award covers many teachers in preschools and schools, though Queensland state school teachers are covered by the state award. The federal award gives a useful benchmark:
- Level 1: $1,455.40 per week ($38.30 per hour) – annualised $75,681
- Level 2: $1,590.70 per week ($41.86 per hour) – annualised $82,716
- Level 3: $1,731.70 per week ($45.57 per hour) – annualised $90,048
- Level 4: $1,872.70 per week ($49.28 per hour) – annualised $97,380
- Level 5: $2,013.70 per week ($52.99 per hour) – annualised $104,712
Casual teachers under this award get a full-day rate from $363.85 (Level 1) to $503.43 (Level 5). Note that the Queensland Government's casual rate of $99/hour is significantly higher than the award casual rate for a Level 1 teacher (about $45.48/hour for an 8-hour day).
How It Sits on the Salary Index
The Salary Index compares gross annual earnings to the national line of 100, which is based on full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026).
- A beginning Queensland teacher earning $86,601 has an index of 79.9 – well below the national average.
- An experienced teacher at award Level 5 ($104,712) has an index of 96.6 – close to the national line.
- The Queensland state average index is 97.9 ($106,064), meaning the typical Queensland worker earns slightly below the national line.
- The Education and Training industry index is 105.5, above the national line, reflecting that many education professionals earn above-average salaries.
So a Queensland teacher's salary depends heavily on experience. Beginners are below the state average, but experienced teachers can reach or exceed it.
State and Industry Differences
Queensland's overall index of 97.9 is lower than New South Wales (101.2) and Victoria (98.0), but higher than South Australia (94.6) and Tasmania (88.6). The Education and Training industry index of 105.5 is above the national line, meaning that on average, education workers earn more than the typical Australian worker. However, within education, teachers in Queensland state schools start below that industry average.
What About Super and Tax?
From 1 July 2026, the superannuation guarantee is 12%. On a $86,601 salary, that adds about $10,392 in employer contributions. For a resident, the 2026–27 tax rates (excluding Medicare) are: nil up to $18,200, 15% to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, plus a 2% Medicare levy. A beginning teacher would pay roughly $16,000 in tax and Medicare, leaving a take-home of about $70,600 before any salary sacrifice or HELP repayments.
Where to Find More
For more on how salaries compare across Australia, see our states page. If you're interested in award rates, check the pay guides section. The industries page shows how education stacks up against other sectors. And for a full explanation of the index, visit how the index works.
Questions people ask
What is the starting salary for a Queensland teacher?
A beginning teacher with a four-year degree in Queensland state schools earns a base salary of approximately $86,601 per year as at September 2026. Casual teachers are paid about $99 per hour. These figures come from the Queensland Government's teach..au website.
How does the Queensland teacher salary compare to the national average?
The national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings are $108,352 per year (index 100). A beginning Queensland teacher salary of $86,601 gives an index of about 80, meaning it is roughly 20% below the national line. However, an experienced teacher at the top award level (Level 5, $104,712 annualised) reaches an index near 97, close to the Queensland state average of 97.9.
What are the award rates for teachers under the Fair Work Ombudsman?
The Educational Services (Teachers) Award sets minimum weekly rates from $1,455.40 (Level 1) to $2,013.70 (Level 5) for full-time teachers in preschools and schools, effective from 1 July 2026. Hourly rates range from $38.30 to $52.99. Casual rates are also specified, with a full day at Level 1 being $363.85. These are minimums; actual pay may be higher.