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

> NT teacher pay scale for 2026: every CT step from $96,180 to $136,997, the January 2027 rise, Senior Teacher, HALT, relief rates and remote allowances.

## How Much Do Teachers Earn in the Northern Territory?

A graduate teacher in an NT government school starts on **$96,180** a year in 2026, the highest graduate salary in Australia. The top of the classroom teacher scale (CT9) is **$136,997**, and both rise by **4.3%** from the first full pay period on or after 1 January 2027.

This page sets out the full NT classroom teacher pay scale, the next scheduled rise, Senior Teacher and HALT rates, relief teacher day rates and the remote allowances, with a link to the official source for each.

> **Note:** Figures were checked on 22 October 2026 against the Northern Territory Public Sector Educators' 2024 - 2027 Enterprise Agreement. All amounts are gross annual salary for full-time teachers in NT government schools, before super.

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

## NT Classroom Teacher Pay Scale 2026

NT classroom teachers move up one step (CT1 to CT9) after each 12 months of service.

| Step | 2026 (current) | From January 2027 |
|------|---------------|-------------------|
| Authorised Person (not yet registered) | $91,587 | $95,525 |
| CT1 (graduate) | **$96,180** | $100,316 |
| CT2 | $100,777 | $105,110 |
| CT3 | $105,369 | $109,900 |
| CT4 | $109,962 | $114,690 |
| CT5 | $117,567 | $122,622 |
| CT6 | $122,162 | $127,415 |
| CT7 | $126,755 | $132,205 |
| CT8 | $131,349 | $136,997 |
| CT9 (top of scale) | **$136,997** | $142,888 |

"2026" rates apply from the first full pay period on or after 1 January 2026; "2027" rates from the first full pay period on or after 1 January 2027.

**Source:** [Teach in the Territory: Pay and benefits](https://teachintheterritory.nt.gov.au/pay-and-benefits) and the [agreement as approved by the Fair Work Commission](https://www.fwc.gov.au/documents/agreements/fwa/ae526566.pdf) (Schedule 4).

## The NT Teachers Agreement and the Next Pay Rise

NT government school teachers are paid under the **Northern Territory Public Sector Educators' 2024 - 2027 Enterprise Agreement**, approved by the Fair Work Commission in October 2024. It gives three rises of 4.3%:

- From the first full pay period on or after 11 October 2024
- From the first full pay period on or after 1 January 2026 (now in force)
- From the first full pay period on or after **1 January 2027** (the next rise)

The agreement's nominal expiry date is 31 December 2027, so the next round of bargaining is due during 2027.

## Relief Teacher Packs

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

## Senior Teacher and HALT Pay in the NT

### Senior Teacher (ST1 to ST8)

Senior Teacher positions are promotion positions, graded by the NT Public Sector job evaluation system.

| Level | 2026 (current) | From January 2027 |
|-------|---------------|-------------------|
| ST1 | $145,286 | $151,533 |
| ST2 | $151,040 | $157,535 |
| ST3 | $160,531 | $167,434 |
| ST4 | $165,076 | $172,174 |
| ST5 | $176,487 | $184,076 |
| ST6 | $182,064 | $189,893 |
| ST7 | $188,515 | $196,621 |
| ST8 | $196,907 | $205,374 |

### Highly Accomplished and Lead Teachers

Classroom teachers certified as Highly Accomplished or Lead Teachers, and working in a classroom-based position, are paid an allowance on top of their salary:

| Allowance | 2026 | From January 2027 |
|-----------|------|-------------------|
| Highly Accomplished Teacher | $13,938 | $14,537 |
| Lead Teacher | $29,184 | $30,439 |

A CT9 teacher with Lead Teacher certification therefore earns $136,997 plus $29,184 in 2026.

### Principals

Principal salaries run from **$147,068** (PLO1) to **$214,369** (top of PLO7) in 2026, rising to $153,392 to $223,587 from January 2027. Movement within a principal level depends on performance, not years of service.

## NT Relief Teacher Pay Rates

Relief (casual) teachers in NT government schools are paid a day rate that already includes a 25% casual loading. The rate depends on teaching experience.

| Experience | 2026 full day | 2026 half day | From January 2027 full day |
|-----------|---------------|---------------|----------------------------|
| Less than 12 months | $460.93 | $230.46 | $480.75 |
| 12 months to less than 6 years | $482.95 | $241.48 | $503.72 |
| 6 years or more | $504.96 | $252.48 | $526.68 |

Relief days count towards your step when you later take a permanent or fixed-term job: 180 relief days count as one year of service.

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

## How NT Teachers Move Up the Pay Scale

- **Graduates** with less than 12 months of teaching experience start at **CT1**.
- **Experienced teachers** are placed on the scale by their years of recognised service, so a teacher with one year of experience starts at CT2.
- **Each year** you move up one step after 12 months of service, up to CT9. A step is held back only through underperformance or discipline processes.

### The fast track for early career teachers

The NT has a Rapid Incremental Progression scheme. An early career teacher who completes their first two years of service in NT government schools within four years, and two units of postgraduate study in that time, moves straight to **CT4 at the start of their third year**. That is $109,962 in 2026, compared with $105,369 at CT3.

## Remote Allowances and Super

Many NT schools are remote, and teachers there are paid extra on top of their salary.

### Remote Incentive Allowance

Paid fortnightly by locality category. It counts as salary for tax and super.

| Locality | 2026 single / with dependants | From January 2027 single / with dependants |
|----------|-------------------------------|---------------------------------------------|
| Special | $1,513 / $1,888 | $1,578 / $1,969 |
| Category 1 | $5,577 / $6,686 | $5,817 / $6,974 |
| Category 2 | $6,691 / $7,980 | $6,978 / $8,323 |
| Category 3 | $10,319 / $12,345 | $10,763 / $12,876 |

Teachers in designated schools are also paid a **designated school allowance** of $3,634 in 2026 ($3,790 from January 2027). Remote staff can also be eligible for travel, rental and isolation support; the [remote incentives calculator](https://teachintheterritory.nt.gov.au/pay-and-benefits/remote-incentives-and-benefits-calculator) works out what applies to a given school.

### Superannuation

NT teachers receive the standard employer super contribution of **12%** on top of their salary.

> **Tip:** Remote allowances can add more than $10,000 a year, and the NT already pays the highest graduate salary in the country. Check the calculator for the exact school before you compare offers.

## 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 NT?

A graduate teacher in an NT government school starts at CT1, which is **$96,180** a year in 2026, rising to $100,316 from the first full pay period on or after 1 January 2027. That is the highest graduate teacher salary in Australia. Super and any remote allowances are paid on top.

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

The top classroom teacher step is **CT9, $136,997** in 2026 and $142,888 from January 2027. Teachers can earn more through a Highly Accomplished ($13,938) or Lead Teacher ($29,184) allowance, or by moving into Senior Teacher positions ($145,286 to $196,907).

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

The next rise is **4.3%** from the first full pay period on or after **1 January 2027**, under the NT Public Sector Educators 2024 - 2027 Enterprise Agreement. The agreement reaches its nominal expiry on 31 December 2027.

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

In 2026 an NT relief teacher earns **$460.93** a day with less than 12 months of experience, **$482.95** with 12 months to 6 years, and **$504.96** with 6 years or more. These rates include the 25% casual loading. Half days are paid at half the rate.

### How fast can NT teachers move up the pay scale?

Normally one step a year. Early career teachers can use the Rapid Incremental Progression scheme: complete two years of service in NT government schools within four years plus two units of postgraduate study, and move to CT4 at the start of year three.

### Do NT teachers get paid more in remote schools?

Yes. The Remote Incentive Allowance is up to **$10,319** a year for a single teacher in a Category 3 locality in 2026 ($12,345 with dependants), plus a $3,634 designated school allowance where it applies. Use the official [remote incentives calculator](https://teachintheterritory.nt.gov.au/pay-and-benefits/remote-incentives-and-benefits-calculator) for a specific school.

### 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-nt
Marketplace: https://teachbuysell.com.au