# WA Teacher Salary 2026: Pay Scale, Levels and Relief Rates

> WA teacher pay scale 2026: Level 2.1 to 2.9 from $88,178 to $127,737, Senior Teacher, Level 3 Classroom Teacher, relief rates and country incentives.

## How Much Do Teachers Earn in Western Australia?

A graduate teacher in a WA public school starts on **$88,178** a year (Level 2.1), plus a **$2,000 graduate allowance** in each of their first two years. The top of the standard classroom scale (Level 2.9) is **$127,737**, and Level 3 Classroom Teachers can earn up to **$147,077** without leaving the classroom.

This page sets out the full WA teacher pay scale, Senior Teacher and Level 3 rates, school administrator salaries, casual relief rates, and the country teaching incentives.

> **Note:** Figures were checked on 22 October 2026. They are the rates from 6 December 2025 under the School Education Act Employees (Teachers and Administrators) General Agreement 2023, gross annual salaries for full-time teachers, before super.

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

## WA Teacher Pay Scale from December 2025

| Level | From 6 December 2024 | **From 6 December 2025 (current)** |
|-------|----------------------|------------------------------------|
| Level 2.1 (graduate) | $85,610 | **$88,178** |
| Level 2.2 | $92,842 | **$95,627** |
| Level 2.3 | $100,551 | **$103,568** |
| Level 2.4 | $104,053 | **$107,175** |
| Level 2.5 | $107,694 | **$110,925** |
| Level 2.6 | $111,476 | **$114,820** |
| Level 2.7 | $115,406 | **$118,868** |
| Level 2.8 | $119,554 | **$123,141** |
| Level 2.9 (top of standard scale) | $124,016 | **$127,737** |

Teachers who perform satisfactorily move up one level each year until they reach 2.9.

**Source:** [WA Department of Education: Teacher salaries](https://www.education.wa.edu.au/teacher-salaries).

## The WA Teachers Agreement and the Next Pay Rise

WA public school teachers are paid under the **School Education Act Employees (Teachers and Administrators) General Agreement 2023**, registered in November 2024. It gave rises of 5% from 6 December 2023, 4% from 6 December 2024 and **3% from 6 December 2025**, the last one scheduled.

The agreement expires on **5 December 2026**. The [State School Teachers' Union of WA](https://www.sstuwa.org.au/) has prepared its claims for the next agreement, and no offer had been announced when this page was checked.

## Resources Made for WA Classrooms

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

## Senior Teacher and Level 3 Classroom Teacher Pay

WA has two paths to higher pay while staying in the classroom.

| Classification | Annual salary (from 6 December 2025) |
|----------------|--------------------------------------|
| Senior Teacher 1 | $132,557 |
| Senior Teacher 2 | $134,165 |
| Level 3.1 Classroom Teacher | $137,567 |
| Level 3.2 Classroom Teacher | $141,551 |
| Level 3.3 Classroom Teacher | **$147,077** |

Senior Teacher involves taking on extra duties; Senior Teacher 2 needs 12 months at Senior Teacher 1. Level 3 Classroom Teacher is an applied-for classification for highly skilled teachers, and Level 3.3 is currently part of a trial.

### School administrators

School administrator salaries (deputy principals, heads of department and principals) run from **$141,551** at Level 3.1 to **$206,662** at the top of Level 6, depending on the role and the school.

## WA Relief Teacher Pay Rates

Casual relief teachers in WA public schools are paid by the hour, at their salary level plus a 20% loading in place of leave (from 6 December 2025):

| Level | Hourly rate |
|-------|-------------|
| 2.1 | $52.67 |
| 2.2 | $57.12 |
| 2.3 | $61.87 |
| 2.4 | $64.02 |
| 2.5 | $66.26 |
| 2.6 | $68.59 |
| 2.7 | $71.00 |
| 2.8 | $73.56 |
| 2.9 | $76.30 |

The minimum engagement is 3 hours, and relief teachers move up one level for every 200 days worked.

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 WA Graduates Start

- **Four-year trained** graduates start at **Level 2.1** ($88,178).
- **Five-year trained** teachers start higher. The Department lists a five-year qualification as a route to a higher starting salary.
- **Graduate allowance:** full-time graduates receive **$2,000 a year** for their first two years (pro rata for part-time), and extra non-contact time in their first year.
- A four-year trained teacher who completes an approved master's, doctorate or graduate diploma moves up one level.

## Country Teaching Incentives

- **Country Teaching Program:** teachers at 146 country schools receive **$5,000 to $13,730 a year**, depending on the location, and can gain permanency after two years of satisfactory service.
- **Metropolitan Teaching Program:** up to **$3,000 a year** at 72 Perth schools.
- **District allowances** apply in many regional and remote areas.

**Source:** [WA Department of Education: Incentives and allowances](https://www.education.wa.edu.au/incentives-and-allowances).

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

## Frequently Asked Questions

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

A four-year trained graduate in a WA public school starts at Level 2.1, **$88,178** a year from 6 December 2025, plus a $2,000 a year graduate allowance for their first two years.

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

The top of the standard classroom scale is **Level 2.9, $127,737**. Senior Teachers earn $132,557 to $134,165, and Level 3 Classroom Teachers $137,567 to **$147,077**.

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

The last rise under the current agreement was 3% from 6 December 2025. The agreement expires on 5 December 2026, and the next rise depends on a new agreement between the Department and the SSTUWA.

### How much do relief teachers get paid in WA?

WA casual relief teachers are paid by the hour, from **$52.67** at Level 2.1 to **$76.30** at Level 2.9 (from 6 December 2025), including a 20% loading in place of leave. The minimum engagement is 3 hours.

### Do WA teachers get paid more in the country?

Yes. The Country Teaching Program pays **$5,000 to $13,730 a year** at 146 country schools, on top of salary, and district allowances apply in many regional and remote areas.

### 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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