Primary teacher salary: how state and industry differences affect pay
See how primary teacher salary compares to the national line, with award rates, median earnings, and state-by-state differences explained.
The median full-time primary teacher earns about $2,226 per week, giving an index around 107 – above the national line – but award minima start much lower.
Primary teacher salary: where does it sit on the national line
When you hear "primary teacher salary", you're asking how that figure compares to the national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings. The salary index makes that simple: take the yearly gross pay, divide by the national line ($108,352), times 100. A figure above 100 means above the average worker; below 100 means below.
The median primary teacher earns above the line
The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports median full-time weekly earnings for primary school teachers at $2,226 per week. That annualises to roughly $116,150 – index about 107. That's above the national line. But that median is for full-time non-managerial employees. Most primary teachers fall near that range.
Award minima start much lower
The Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020 sets minimum weekly rates for preschools and schools: Level 1 $1,455.40 (graduate teacher, $75,941 annual, index 70), Level 2 $1,590.70 ($83,004 index 76), Level 3 $1,731.70 ($90,362 index 83), Level 4 $1,872.70 ($97,720 index 90), Level 5 $2,013.70 ($105,076 index 97). Level 5 is the highest classification for Highly Accomplished or Lead Teacher. Most teachers earn more under enterprise agreements or state agreements.
State differences matter
State indices from the on-site reference show general wage levels: NSW index 101.2 (annualised $109,658; ACT 109.9 ($119,090; WA 106.9 ($115,825; VIC 98 ($106,137; QLD 97.9 ($106,064; SA 94.6 ($102,450; TAS 88.6 ($96,008; NT 95.2 ($103,173). Primary teacher pay often follows these patterns, especially in high-cost states like ACT and NSW.
Industry differences within education
Education and training industry index 105.5 – above the national average. Primary teachers are part of that industry. But within education, there are differences: long day care centres get 4% higher award rates than school rates. That's because they work longer hours. Many primary teachers in early childhood services.
Example: a Level 1 teacher in NSW
A graduate teacher in NSW might earn above award Level 1 ($75,941) but likely more under state agreement. In ACT, where index is 109.9, pay tends to be higher. In Tasmania, index 88.6, pay may be lower. But actual teacher salaries are set by state or enterprise agreements, not just award.
How to use the salary index
The salary index helps you compare any pay figure to the national line. For primary teacher salary, the median is around 107. That means a typical primary teacher earns about 7% more than the average full-time worker. But award minima are lower, so early-career teachers may be below the line.
Super and tax
Super guarantee is 12% from July 2026. That's on top of salary. Tax for 2026-27: tax-free threshold $18,200, then 15% to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, 37% to $190,000, 45% above. Plus Medicare levy 2%. A teacher earning $90,000 would pay about $20,000 in tax and Medicare, leaving about $70,000 take-home.
Summary
Primary teacher salary sits above the national line for median earners, but award minima are lower. State and industry differences matter: teachers in ACT and NSW tend to earn more, while those in Tasmania and SA earn less. The education industry index is above average, reflecting the professional nature of teaching.
For more detail, see the Salary Index, states, and industries pages. Also check pay guides for award rates.
Questions people ask
What is the average primary teacher salary in Australia?
The median full-time weekly earnings for primary school teachers are $2,226, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. That annualises to roughly $116,150, which is above the national full-time ordinary-time earnings benchmark of $108,352 (index 100). However, actual pay depends on experience, state, and whether you work in a government, Catholic, or independent school.
How does primary teacher pay compare to the national average?
Using the salary index, where 100 equals the national line, the median primary teacher sits around 107. That means primary teachers typically earn about 7% above the typical full-time worker. But award minimums start much lower: a Level 1 graduate teacher earns about $75,941 (index 70), while a Level 5 highly accomplished teacher earns $105,076 (index 97). Most experienced teachers fall between these.
What are the award rates for primary teachers under the Educational Services Award?
The Fair Work Ombudsman's Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020 sets minimum weekly rates for full-time teachers in preschools and schools: Level 1 $1,455.40, Level 2 $1,590.70, Level 3 $1,731.70, Level 4 $1,872.70, Level 5 $2,013.70. For long day care centres, rates are 4% higher. These are legal minimums; most teachers earn more under enterprise agreements or state agreements.