# NSW Teacher Salary 2026: Pay Scale, Steps and Casual Rates

> NSW teacher pay scale from 9 October 2026: every step from $92,882 to $133,422, HALT, assistant principal and principal pay, and casual day rates.

## How Much Do Teachers Earn in NSW?

From 9 October 2026, a graduate teacher in a NSW public school starts on **$92,882** a year and the top of the classroom teacher scale (Step 7) is **$133,422**. Highly Accomplished and Lead Teachers earn **$141,997**.

This page sets out the full NSW teacher pay scale, how you move up the steps, assistant principal and principal salaries, and casual teacher day rates, with a link to the official source for each figure.

> **Note:** Figures were checked on 22 October 2026 against the Crown Employees (Teachers in Schools and Related Employees) Salaries and Conditions Award 2024. They are gross annual salaries for full-time teachers in NSW Department of Education schools, before super.

**[Work out your own pay](/tools/teacher-salary-calculator?state=nsw)** 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).

## NSW Teacher Pay Scale from 9 October 2026

NSW has a single classroom teacher scale of seven steps, plus a Highly Accomplished/Lead Teacher (HALT) rate. Rates apply from the first full pay period starting on or after the date shown.

| Step | Accreditation | From 9 October 2025 | **From 9 October 2026 (current)** |
|------|---------------|---------------------|-----------------------------------|
| Step 1 (graduate) | Graduate | $90,177 | **$92,882** |
| Step 2 | Graduate | $96,980 | **$99,889** |
| Step 3 | Proficient | $101,122 | **$104,156** |
| Step 4 | Proficient | $105,263 | **$108,421** |
| Step 5 | Proficient | $112,594 | **$115,972** |
| Step 6 | Proficient | $121,064 | **$124,696** |
| Step 7 (top of scale) | Proficient | $129,536 | **$133,422** |
| Highly Accomplished / Lead Teacher | HALT | $137,861 | **$141,997** |

**Source:** [Teach NSW: Salary of a teacher](https://education.nsw.gov.au/teach-nsw/explore-teaching/salary-of-a-teacher) and the [Teachers Award 2024](https://education.nsw.gov.au/content/dam/main-education/industrial-relations/media/documents/awards/Teachers_Award_2024.pdf) (Schedule 1A).

## The NSW Teachers Award and the Next Pay Rise

NSW public school teachers are paid under the **Crown Employees (Teachers in Schools and Related Employees) Salaries and Conditions Award 2024**. It gave three rises of 3%, from the first pay period on or after 9 October 2024, 9 October 2025 and **9 October 2026**.

The October 2026 rise was the last one in this award, which runs until 8 October 2027. Any rise after that depends on the next award, negotiated between the NSW Government and the [NSW Teachers Federation](https://www.nswtf.org.au/).

## Resources for the NSW Syllabus

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

## How NSW Teachers Move Up the Pay Scale

Your step in NSW depends on your accreditation with NESA as well as your years of service.

- **Graduate teachers** start on **Step 1**. After one year of full-time service and a satisfactory performance and development process, you move to Step 2.
- **Step 2 to Step 3** needs both **Proficient** accreditation and a year at Step 2. Teachers who already hold Proficient accreditation start on Step 3.
- **Steps 3 to 7:** one step for each year of full-time service, as long as you keep your Proficient accreditation.
- **Step 7 to HALT** needs Highly Accomplished or Lead Teacher accreditation and a year at Step 7.
- **A year** of service means 203 days of full-time work.

Experienced teachers and career changers can have prior experience recognised when their salary is first set. The Department's [salary and awards page](https://education.nsw.gov.au/about-us/careers-at-education/salary-and-benefits/salary-and-awards) explains how.

> **Tip:** Proficient accreditation is what unlocks Step 3. A teacher who stays at Graduate level stops at Step 2, so it pays to finish your Proficient accreditation as early as you can.

## NSW Assistant Principal and Principal Salaries

From 9 October 2026:

| Role | Annual salary |
|------|---------------|
| Head Teacher (high or central school) | $153,531 |
| Assistant Principal (primary or central school) | $153,531 |
| Deputy Principal | $179,255 |
| Principal P1 | $184,175 |
| Principal P2 | $198,235 |
| Principal P3 | $219,681 |
| Principal P4 | $229,288 |
| Principal P5 | $236,318 |
| Executive Principal, Connected Communities | $253,369 |

Principal salaries from P2 up include a complexity loading that depends on the school.

## NSW Casual Teacher Day Rates

Casual teachers in NSW public schools are paid a day rate set by their accreditation and experience.

| Level | From 9 October 2026 |
|-------|---------------------|
| CT1 | **$480.43** a day |
| CT2 | **$538.73** a day |
| CT3 | **$599.85** a day |

It takes at least 2 years full-time equivalent at CT1 to move to CT2, and a further 2 years to move to CT3. A casual teacher relieving as a teaching principal or assistant principal is paid $794.12 a day.

Heading into a casual 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.)_

## Super, Allowances and Rural Incentives

- **Superannuation:** NSW teachers receive the standard employer contribution of 12% on top of their salary.
- **Locality allowances:** the award includes allowances for teachers in schools affected by climate or isolation (Schedule 8 of the award).
- **Rural and remote incentives:** the Department offers relocation support and rental subsidies at some high-demand rural and remote schools. See [Teach NSW](https://education.nsw.gov.au/teach-nsw/explore-teaching/salary-of-a-teacher) for current incentives.

## Frequently Asked Questions

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

From 9 October 2026, a graduate teacher in a NSW public school starts at Step 1, **$92,882** a year. After a year of service they move to Step 2 ($99,889), and to Step 3 ($104,156) once they gain Proficient accreditation.

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

The top classroom step is **Step 7, $133,422** a year from 9 October 2026. Teachers accredited as Highly Accomplished or Lead Teachers earn **$141,997**.

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

The last rise under the current award was 3% from 9 October 2026. The award runs until 8 October 2027, and any further rise depends on the next award negotiated between the NSW Government and the NSW Teachers Federation.

### How much do casual teachers get paid in NSW?

From 9 October 2026, NSW casual teachers earn **$480.43** a day at CT1, **$538.73** at CT2 and **$599.85** at CT3.

### How much does an assistant principal earn in NSW?

An Assistant Principal in a NSW public primary school earns **$153,531** from 9 October 2026, the same as a Head Teacher. A Deputy Principal earns $179,255.

### Do I need Proficient accreditation to get paid more?

Yes. Without Proficient accreditation a NSW teacher cannot move past Step 2 ($99,889). Proficient accreditation plus a year at Step 2 takes you to Step 3, and from there you move up one step a year to Step 7.

### 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.

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