Teacher Salary Australia: What to Expect When Comparing Job Offers
Understand teacher salary Australia using award rates, median earnings, and the Salary Index. Compare offers across states and sectors with real figures from Fair Work Ombudsman an
Award minima for teachers range from $75,941 (Level 1) to $105,076 (Level 5) annually, placing them below the national index of 100 ($108,352). However, median earnings for primary teachers are $2,226 per week, giving an index of about 107, above the national line.
Reading a job ad and comparing offers
When you see a job ad for a teacher salary Australia, you need to know if the offer is fair. The first step is to understand the award minimums. The Salary Index helps you compare your salary against the national line of 100, which is $108,352 annualised. For example, a Level 1 teacher on $75,941 has an index of 69. The median primary teacher earns $2,226 per week, index about 107. That is above the national line.
Award minima from Fair Work Ombudsman
The Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020 sets weekly rates for preschools and schools: Level 1 $1,455.40 ($38.30 per hour. The annual salary for Level 1 is $75,941. Level 2 $83,004. Level 3 $90,362. Level 3 $90,362. Level 4 $97,720. Level 5 $105,076. These are minimums, not including super. Super guarantee is 12% from 1 July 2026. So a job ad offering $85,000 for a Level 2 teacher is above award but below median.
Median earnings from Australian Bureau of Statistics
Jobs and Skills Australia reports median full-time weekly earnings for Primary School Teachers at $2,226, with median hourly $60. That annualises to $116,152. This is a benchmark for experienced teachers. The how the index works shows that median teacher salary index is about 107. Compare that to the national line of 100.
State and sector variations
Teacher salaries vary by state. The states page shows ACT index 109.9, WA 106.9, NSW 101.2, VIC 98, QLD 97.9, SA 94.6, TAS 88.6, NT 95.2. So a teacher in ACT likely earns more than one in Tasmania, even for the same award level. Also, independent schools often pay above award. The industries page shows Education and Training index 105.5, slightly above the national line. Long day care centres pay 4% more than school rates under the award.
Take-home pay and tax
When comparing offers, consider tax. For a teacher on $90,362 (Level 3), tax on 2026-27 rates: nil to $18,200, 15% to $45,000, 30% to $135,000. So tax roughly $20,000 plus Medicare levy 2% on taxable income. Take-home about $68,000. Super adds 12% on top. So total package is salary plus super. Use pay guides to calculate net pay.
How to use the salary index
Divide your annual gross salary by $108,352 and multiply by 100. For example, $90,362 / $108,352 * 100 = 83.4. That is below the national line. The median teacher at $116,152 gives 107.2. That tells you where you sit relative to average full-time earnings. The index is a lens, not a job offer.
Conclusion
When reading a job ad for teacher salary Australia, start with the award minimum. Then compare to median earnings and state indices. Use the Salary Index to see if the offer is above or below the national line. Remember that many teachers earn above award, especially with experience. Check the topics page for more on awards and super.
Questions people ask
What is the average teacher salary in Australia?
The median full-time weekly earnings for Primary School Teachers is $2,226, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (May 2025). That annualises to about $116,152, giving a Salary Index of roughly 107 (above the national line of 100 ($108,352). However, award minimums start at $75,941 for a Level 1 graduate teacher. Actual pay varies by state, sector, and experience.
How does the teacher award work?
The Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020 covers most school and preschool teachers. It sets five pay levels based on accreditation: Level 1 (graduate), Level 2 (proficient), Level 3 (after 3 years at Level 2, Level 4 after 3 years at Level 3, Level 5 (highly accomplished/lead teacher). Rates from 1 July 2026: weekly $1,455.40 to $2,013.70. Long day care centre teachers get 4% extra. Most teachers earn above award.
What is the salary index for teachers?
The Salary Index compares your gross annual salary to the national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings line of 100 ($108,352). For a teacher on the award's Level 5 ($105,076, index 97). The Education and Training industry index is 105.5. Median primary teacher earnings give an index of about 107. Use the index to see where you sit against the national average.