# Teacher Salary in Australia 2026 by State

> Compare teacher salaries in every Australian state and territory for 2026: graduate pay, top of the scale, relief rates and where each pay deal is up to.

## How Much Do Teachers Earn in Australia in 2026?

A graduate teacher in an Australian government school earns between **$79,589** (Victoria, until its new agreement starts) and **$96,180** (Northern Territory) in 2026. The top of the standard classroom scale ranges from **$117,198** in South Australia to **$136,997** in the Northern Territory.

Pay has moved a lot this year. Tasmania has a new agreement, Victoria's new agreement is waiting on Fair Work Commission approval, Queensland teachers received an interim rise while their agreement is arbitrated, and NSW, SA and the NT paid scheduled rises. This page compares every state and territory, and each state has its own page with the full pay scale, relief rates and sources:

- [NSW teacher salary](/teacher-guides/teacher-salary-nsw)
- [Victorian teacher salary](/teacher-guides/teacher-salary-victoria)
- [QLD teacher salary](/teacher-guides/teacher-salary-qld)
- [WA teacher salary](/teacher-guides/teacher-salary-wa)
- [SA teacher salary](/teacher-guides/teacher-salary-sa)
- [Tasmanian teacher salary](/teacher-guides/teacher-salary-tasmania)
- [ACT teacher salary](/teacher-guides/teacher-salary-act)
- [NT teacher salary](/teacher-guides/teacher-salary-nt)

> **Note:** Figures were checked on 22 October 2026 against each state's agreement or official pay table. They are gross annual salaries for full-time classroom teachers in government schools, before super. Catholic and independent schools have their own agreements.

**[Teacher salary calculator](/tools/teacher-salary-calculator)** Pick any state and step to see pay a fortnight, super, estimated take-home pay and the rises ahead, full time or part time.

## Teacher Salaries by State: Quick Comparison

Ranked by graduate starting salary. "Top of scale" is the highest step a classroom teacher reaches without a promotion or higher certification.

| Rank | State or territory | Graduate salary | Top of classroom scale | Full details |
|------|--------------------|-----------------|------------------------|--------------|
| 1 | **NT** | $96,180 | $136,997 (CT9) | [NT pay scale](/teacher-guides/teacher-salary-nt) |
| 2 | **NSW** | $92,882 | $133,422 (Step 7) | [NSW pay scale](/teacher-guides/teacher-salary-nsw) |
| 3 | **ACT** | $91,396 | $129,106 (TL8) | [ACT pay scale](/teacher-guides/teacher-salary-act) |
| 4 | **QLD** | $90,164 | $119,357 (Band 3, Step 4) | [QLD pay scale](/teacher-guides/teacher-salary-qld) |
| 5 | **WA** | $88,178 | $127,737 (Level 2.9) | [WA pay scale](/teacher-guides/teacher-salary-wa) |
| 6 | **TAS** | $85,313 | $122,393 (Level 13) | [Tasmanian pay scale](/teacher-guides/teacher-salary-tasmania) |
| 7 | **SA** | $84,971 | $117,198 (Step 8) | [SA pay scale](/teacher-guides/teacher-salary-sa) |
| 8 | **VIC** (current) | $79,589 | $118,063 (2-6) | [Victorian pay scale](/teacher-guides/teacher-salary-victoria) |

Victoria's new agreement, the Victorian Government Schools Agreement 2026, was approved by staff in September 2026 and starts seven days after the Fair Work Commission approves it. It sets a graduate rate of **$92,882** and a top classroom rate of **$133,456** from 1 October 2026, which would move Victoria up to equal second. Tasmania's graduate figure is the Department's usual starting level (Level 5); some four-year trained teachers start at Level 4 ($81,762).

### Key takeaways

- The **Northern Territory** pays the most at both ends of the scale, and remote allowances can add more than $10,000 a year.
- **Victoria** pays the least until its new agreement starts. After that, Victorian and NSW graduates earn exactly the same, $92,882.
- Of the other states, **South Australia** has the lowest graduate and top-of-scale pay, although SA teachers can apply for Step 9 ($123,236).
- **Queensland's** top classroom step ($119,357) is low, but its Senior Teacher, HAT and Lead Teacher rates climb to $147,050.

## Earning More Without Leaving the Classroom

Every state pays more for Highly Accomplished and Lead Teachers (HALT) or an equivalent senior classroom role:

| State or territory | Higher classroom pay |
|--------------------|----------------------|
| NT | CT9 plus a Lead Teacher allowance of $29,184 ($166,181 in total) |
| WA | Level 3 Classroom Teacher up to $147,077 |
| QLD | Lead Teacher $147,050; HAT $134,694 |
| VIC | Leading Teacher or Learning Specialist $123,966 to $129,544 now; $140,140 to $146,439 under the new agreement |
| NSW | Highly Accomplished or Lead Teacher $141,997 |
| SA | Lead Teacher $141,365; HAT $133,736 |
| TAS | Advanced Skills Teacher $129,640 |
| ACT | One extra step, or a $7,495 payment at the top step |

## Relief Teacher Pay by State

Relief (casual or supply) teachers are paid a day or hourly rate with a loading in place of leave.

| State or territory | Relief teacher rate |
|--------------------|---------------------|
| NSW | $480.43 to $599.85 a day |
| QLD | $515.75 a day |
| NT | $460.93 to $504.96 a day |
| ACT | $451 or $558 a day |
| SA | $407.21 to $590.59 a day |
| VIC | $70.97 an hour, up to $425.80 a day |
| WA | $52.67 to $76.30 an hour |
| TAS | Paid hourly on the Band 1 levels |

Each state page explains who gets which rate. Heading into a relief day? Our [relief teacher resources guide](/teacher-guides/relief-teacher-resources) has ready-to-run lessons.

## Relief Teacher Packs

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

## Where Each State Pay Deal Is Up To

| State or territory | Status in October 2026 | Next scheduled rise |
|--------------------|------------------------|---------------------|
| NSW | Award 2024 in force to 8 October 2027 | None scheduled after October 2026 |
| VIC | New 2026 agreement approved by staff, waiting on Fair Work Commission approval | August and October 2026 rises apply from the start, then 1 November 2027 |
| QLD | 2022 agreement expired; replacement in QIRC arbitration; 3% interim rise from September 2026 | None until the final decision |
| WA | 2023 agreement expires 5 December 2026; union claim prepared | None scheduled |
| SA | 2024 agreement's last rise paid May 2026 | None scheduled |
| TAS | New Teachers Agreement 2025 approved July 2026 | 3% from March 2027 |
| ACT | 2023-2026 agreement past expiry; new agreement being negotiated | None until a new agreement |
| NT | 2024-2027 agreement in force | 4.3% from January 2027 |

Government school teacher pay is set by state and territory agreements between the government and the teachers union, not by individual schools. Agreements usually run for three or four years and set pay, allowances, leave and working conditions.

## Beyond Base Salary: What Else Affects Teacher Pay?

### Superannuation

Employers pay super on top of salary. The standard rate is **12%**; the ACT pays **12.5%** from January 2026.

### Rural and remote incentives

The NT, WA, SA, Queensland and Tasmania pay allowances, incentives or housing support at country and remote schools. Some are substantial: WA's Country Teaching Program pays up to $13,730 a year and SA's Zone 5 allowance $11,391. See each state page for the details.

### Accreditation

In most states, moving up the scale depends on full (Proficient) registration as well as years of service. In NSW, for example, a teacher cannot move past Step 2 without Proficient accreditation.

### Cost of living

A higher salary in Sydney or Canberra may not stretch as far as a lower one in Hobart or Adelaide. The [ABS Consumer Price Index](https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/economy/price-indexes-and-inflation/consumer-price-index-australia) compares prices across capital cities.

For teachers looking to earn extra, see how you can [sell your teaching resources](/help/getting-started) on TeachBuySell.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Which Australian state pays teachers the most?

The **Northern Territory** pays the highest base salary, with graduates on $96,180 and the top of the classroom scale at $136,997 in 2026, rising 4.3% from January 2027. See the [NT teacher salary page](/teacher-guides/teacher-salary-nt).

### Which state pays teachers the least?

In October 2026, **Victoria** pays the least ($79,589 for a graduate) until its new agreement starts, which lifts a Victorian graduate to $92,882. After that, **South Australia** has the lowest graduate salary ($84,971) and the lowest top automatic step ($117,198). See the [Victorian](/teacher-guides/teacher-salary-victoria) and [SA](/teacher-guides/teacher-salary-sa) pages.

### How much does a graduate teacher earn in Australia?

Graduate salaries in government schools range from **$79,589** in Victoria (rising to $92,882 when its new agreement starts) to **$96,180** in the NT. NSW pays $92,882, the ACT $91,396, Queensland $90,164, WA $88,178 (plus a $2,000 graduate allowance), Tasmania usually $85,313 and SA $84,971.

### How much do teachers get paid in Australia?

Most full-time government school teachers earn between about **$80,000 and $137,000** a year before super, depending on the state and their years of experience. Senior classroom roles pay up to about $147,000, and principals more.

### Do teacher salaries include superannuation?

No. The figures on this page are base salary. Employers pay super on top: **12%** in most states, and **12.5%** in the ACT.

### How often do teacher salaries increase?

Teachers move up a step on the scale each year as they gain experience, usually subject to performance and registration. On top of that, enterprise agreements set pay rises, typically every year for the three or four years an agreement runs.

### Do Catholic and independent school teachers earn the same?

Not always. Catholic and independent schools have their own agreements, which are generally benchmarked against government school rates. Some pay more and some less.

### Where can I find the official salary scale for my state?

Each state page links to the official agreement and pay tables: [NSW](/teacher-guides/teacher-salary-nsw), [VIC](/teacher-guides/teacher-salary-victoria), [QLD](/teacher-guides/teacher-salary-qld), [WA](/teacher-guides/teacher-salary-wa), [SA](/teacher-guides/teacher-salary-sa), [TAS](/teacher-guides/teacher-salary-tasmania), [ACT](/teacher-guides/teacher-salary-act) and [NT](/teacher-guides/teacher-salary-nt).

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