# ACT Teacher Salary 2026: Pay Scale, Steps and Relief Rates

> ACT teacher pay scale for 2026: every step from $91,396 to $129,106, school leader pay, relief rates, 12.5% super and where the new agreement is up to.

## How Much Do Teachers Earn in the ACT?

A graduate teacher in an ACT public school starts on **$91,396** a year, and the top of the classroom teacher scale is **$129,106**. ACT teachers also receive **12.5% employer super**, more than the 12% most other employers pay.

This page sets out the full ACT teacher pay scale, school leader salaries, relief teacher day rates, how you move up the scale, and where the next pay deal is up to, with a link to the official source for each figure.

> **Note:** Figures were checked on 22 October 2026. They are the rates in force from 4 December 2025 under the ACT Education Directorate (Teaching Staff) Enterprise Agreement 2023-2026. A new agreement is being negotiated, so check the official source if you are reading this later.

**[Work out your own pay](/tools/teacher-salary-calculator?state=act)** Pick your step to see your pay a fortnight and a month, super, estimated take-home pay and every rise already in the agreement, full time or part time.

Comparing states? See [teacher salaries across Australia](/teacher-guides/teacher-salary-australia-2026).

## ACT Classroom Teacher Pay Scale

ACT classroom teachers sit on eight Teacher Levels. TL1 to TL3 are the **New Educator** levels and TL4 to TL8 the **Experienced Teacher** levels.

| Level | Stage | Annual salary (from 4 December 2025) |
|-------|-------|--------------------------------------|
| Permit to Teach | Not yet fully registered | $82,796 |
| TL1 (graduate) | New Educator | **$91,396** |
| TL2 | New Educator | $100,006 |
| TL3 | New Educator | $104,314 |
| TL4 | Experienced Teacher | $108,619 |
| TL5 | Experienced Teacher | $112,924 |
| TL6 | Experienced Teacher | $120,102 |
| TL7 | Experienced Teacher | $127,276 |
| TL8 (top of scale) | Experienced Teacher | **$129,106** |

**Source:** [ACT Government: Pay and benefits for teachers](https://www.act.gov.au/work-with-act-government/careers-in-education/pay-and-benefits) and the [enterprise agreement](https://www.cmtedd.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/2269437/Education-Directorate-Teaching-Staff-Enterprise-Agreement-2023-2026.pdf) (Annex A).

## The ACT Teachers Agreement and the Next Pay Rise

ACT public school teachers are paid under the **ACT Public Sector Education Directorate (Teaching Staff) Enterprise Agreement 2023-2026**. Its last scheduled rise was on 4 December 2025. The agreement reached its nominal expiry on 31 March 2026 and keeps applying until a new one replaces it, so **no further rise is scheduled** until a new agreement is approved.

Bargaining for the replacement agreement is under way between the ACT Government and the Australian Education Union ACT Branch. Follow the [AEU ACT bargaining updates](https://www.aeuact.org.au/Docs/2025-6-school-teachers-bargaining/) for the latest on offers and timing. Any new rates will only apply once the new agreement is approved.

## Relief Teacher Packs

_(Dynamic listing feed — browse at the page URL for live results.)_

## ACT School Leader and HALT Pay

### School leaders (from 4 December 2025)

| Role | Annual salary |
|------|---------------|
| School Leader C (Executive Teacher) | $145,938 to $149,107 |
| School Leader B (Deputy Principal) | $168,900 to $173,125 |
| School Leader A (Principal) | $195,885 to $225,158 |

Principal pay level depends on the size and complexity of the school, not years of service.

### Highly Accomplished and Lead Teachers

A teacher certified as a Highly Accomplished or Lead Teacher (HALT) moves up one extra step on the scale. A teacher who is already at the top step (TL8), or at the top of School Leader C, is paid a **HALT payment of $7,495** for the year instead.

## ACT Relief Teacher Pay Rates

Casual (relief) teachers in ACT public schools are paid one of two day rates (from 4 December 2025):

| Rate | Who it applies to | Day rate |
|------|-------------------|----------|
| Casual Rate 1 | Most casual teachers | **$451** |
| Casual Rate 2 | Teachers who would be paid at the top step, have held a promotion position, or have 7 years of recognised full-time service | **$558** |
| Permit to Teach | Casual teachers working under a Permit to Teach | $329 |

A part day is paid at one sixth of the day rate per hour, with a minimum of 3 hours.

Heading into a relief day? Our [relief teacher resources guide](/teacher-guides/relief-teacher-resources) has ready-to-run lessons.

## How ACT Teachers Move Up the Pay Scale

- **Graduates** normally start at **TL1** (New Educator).
- **Experienced teachers** are placed on the scale when they are hired, based on their qualifications and recognised prior experience, counted in full years. Relevant work outside teaching can count.
- **Each year** teachers move up one level on the common increment date, **27 January**, in line with the Teacher Performance and Development Guidelines.
- **New Educators** (TL1 to TL3) get reduced face-to-face teaching time while they settle in.

Moving from TL1 to TL8 takes seven years of increments, taking a graduate from $91,396 to $129,106 at current rates.

## Super and Other Benefits

- **Superannuation:** from 1 January 2026 the ACT Government pays **12.5%** employer super on top of salary, above the 12% legal minimum most employers pay.
- **Relocation:** eligible teachers moving to the ACT can be reimbursed up to $12,000 in relocation costs.
- **Study support:** the ACT Teacher Scholarship provides up to $10,000.

The ACT has no remote schools, so there are no remote area allowances like those in the NT, WA or Queensland.

> **Tip:** When you compare an ACT offer with another state, add the extra half a per cent of super. On a $129,106 salary it is about $645 a year more into your super.

## Teacher Planners and Organisation

_(Dynamic listing feed — browse at the page URL for live results.)_

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How much does a graduate teacher earn in the ACT?

A graduate teacher in an ACT public school starts at TL1, which is **$91,396** a year (from 4 December 2025). The ACT Government also pays 12.5% super on top.

### What is the top of the ACT teacher pay scale?

The top classroom teacher level is **TL8, $129,106** a year. Teachers can earn more as a School Leader C ($145,938 to $149,107) or above. A HALT certified teacher at the top step receives an extra $7,495 payment.

### When is the next ACT teacher pay rise?

No rise is scheduled under the current agreement, which reached its nominal expiry on 31 March 2026. A replacement agreement is being negotiated between the ACT Government and the AEU ACT Branch, and new rates will apply once it is approved. See the [AEU ACT bargaining page](https://www.aeuact.org.au/Docs/2025-6-school-teachers-bargaining/) for updates.

### How much do relief teachers get paid in the ACT?

ACT casual teachers earn **$451** a day (Casual Rate 1) or **$558** a day (Casual Rate 2) for teachers who would be at the top step, have held a promotion position, or have 7 years of recognised full-time service.

### How much super do ACT teachers get?

From 1 January 2026 the ACT Government contributes **12.5%** employer super, half a per cent more than the 12% Superannuation Guarantee rate.

### Where can I find free teaching resources?

TeachBuySell has free resources made by Australian teachers. [Browse free resources](/s?price=0%2C0) or see our [relief teacher resources guide](/teacher-guides/relief-teacher-resources) for ready-to-run lessons.

---

Source: https://teachbuysell.com.au/teacher-guides/teacher-salary-act
Marketplace: https://teachbuysell.com.au