High school teacher salary in Australia: state and industry differences explained

Understanding the high school teacher salary in Australia

When people ask about a high school teacher salary, they often want to know how it stacks up against other jobs and across different parts of the country. The most reliable national figure comes from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, via Jobs and Skills Australia, which reports median full-time weekly earnings of $2,322 for secondary school teachers. That works out to about $120,744 a year before tax.

To put that in perspective, the Salary Index uses a baseline of full-time adult ordinary-time earnings, currently $108,352 per year (index 100). A high school teacher on the median therefore sits at an index of roughly 111 — meaning they earn about 11% above the national line. That’s higher than the average for all occupations ($1,852 per week, index 89) and above the Education and Training industry index of 105.5.

But a single national median hides a lot of variation. The award system sets a floor, state enterprise agreements often set the actual pay, and where you work — both geographically and in which school sector — makes a real difference.

How the salary index applies to high school teachers

The how the index works page explains that the index is simply your annual gross pay divided by the national line, multiplied by 100. For a high school teacher earning the median $2,322 per week:

• Annualised: $2,322 × 52 = $120,744
• Index: ($120,744 ÷ $108,352) × 100 = 111.4

Compare that to the national minimum wage (index 48.2) or the retail trade industry (index 75.9). Teaching sits comfortably above average, but it’s not as high as mining (index 154.7) or professional services (index 114.7).

However, not all teachers earn the median. The Fair Work Ombudsman’s Educational Services (Teachers) Award sets minimum rates that apply to many government and non-government school teachers. As of July 2026, the weekly award rates are:

• Level 1: $1,455.40 (index 69.8)
• Level 2: $1,590.70 (index 76.3)
• Level 3: $1,731.70 (index 83.1)
• Level 4: $1,872.70 (index 89.9)
• Level 5: $2,013.70 (index 96.6)

Most teachers start at Level 1 or 2 and progress with experience and qualifications. The median of $2,322 is above Level 5, indicating that many teachers are covered by enterprise agreements that pay more than the award minimum.

State differences in high school teacher pay

State-based enterprise agreements are the main reason a high school teacher salary can vary depending on where you work. The national data doesn’t break down earnings by state for this occupation, but we can look at general state wage indices from the states page:

• ACT: 109.9 (highest)
• WA: 106.9
• NSW: 101.2
• VIC: 98.0
• QLD: 97.9
• NT: 95.2
• SA: 94.6
• TAS: 88.6 (lowest)

These indices reflect average earnings across all occupations, not just teaching. But they hint at the cost-of-living and wage pressures that influence teacher pay negotiations. For example, the ACT’s high index is partly due to a high concentration of public sector jobs, including teaching. In contrast, Tasmania’s lower index aligns with generally lower wages.

The distribution of teachers also matters: NSW employs 33% of secondary school teachers, Victoria 27%, Queensland 20%, and Western Australia 9.5%. The remaining states and territories have smaller shares. Larger states often have more generous enterprise agreements due to union bargaining power.

For a concrete example, the South Australian Department for Education publishes its own pay rates for school teachers, separate from the federal award. Their hourly paid instructor rates (as of May 2026) range from $59.40 (Class 4) to $106.30 (Class 2), with a maximum of $162.80 for higher tiers. That shows how state-specific arrangements can differ from the national award.

Industry context for high school teachers

The Education and Training industry has an index of 105.5, meaning the average worker in that field earns about 5.5% above the national line. High school teachers are a large part of that industry, alongside early childhood educators, university lecturers, and trainers.

Compared to other industries, education is a solid middle-ground earner. It’s above retail (75.9) and accommodation (72.5), but below professional services (114.7) and mining (154.7). The stability of teaching — with predictable hours, school holidays, and superannuation — also factors into its overall compensation package.

What the award rates mean for your pay

The award rates from the Fair Work Ombudsman are the legal minimum. If you’re a high school teacher covered by the Educational Services (Teachers) Award, your employer cannot pay you less than the level that matches your classification. Most teachers in government schools are covered by state awards or enterprise agreements that set higher rates.

For example, a teacher at Level 3 on the award earns $1,731.70 per week, or $45.57 per hour. That’s an annualised $90,048, which is below the national line (index 83.1). But the median teacher earns $2,322, so the majority are above award. Experience, additional responsibilities, and location allowances can push pay higher.

Superannuation is also part of the picture. From July 2026, the super guarantee is 12%, meaning on top of your salary, your employer contributes an extra 12% into your super fund. For a teacher earning $120,744, that’s an additional $14,489 per year (subject to the contribution base).

Tax and take-home pay

A high school teacher on the median $120,744 would pay tax under 2026-27 rates: nil on the first $18,200, 15% on the next $26,800, 30% on the next $90,000, and 37% on the remaining $4,744 (since $120,744 - $18,200 - $26,800 - $90,000 = -$14,256, actually it's $120,744 - $18,200 = $102,544; $26,800 at 15% = $4,020; $90,000 at 30% = $27,000; total tax $31,020, plus 2% Medicare levy $2,415, leaving about $87,309 take-home. This is a rough estimate ignoring HELP or other deductions.

For more details on how pay compares across roles, see the pay guides and industries pages. The topics section also covers related education roles.

FAQs

What is the average high school teacher salary in Australia?

The median full-time weekly earnings for secondary school teachers are $2,322, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (May 2025). That annualises to about $120,744, which is above the national average earnings index of 100 ($108,352). However, many teachers start at award rates around $1,455 per week (Level 1) and progress to higher levels with experience.

How does high school teacher pay vary by state?

While national median data is available, actual pay often depends on state-based enterprise agreements. For example, NSW and Victoria employ the most teachers (33% and 27% respectively). General state wage indices show ACT (109.9) and WA (106.9) have higher average earnings, while Tasmania (88.6) is lower. Teacher salaries may not exactly mirror these indices, but they give a sense of regional cost-of-living differences.

What is the minimum wage for a high school teacher under the award?

The Educational Services (Teachers) Award sets minimum weekly rates from $1,455.40 (Level 1) to $2,013.70 (Level 5) as of July 2026. Hourly rates range from $38.30 to $52.99. Casual teachers receive a loading and are capped at Level 3 for short engagements. Most experienced teachers earn above these minimums.