Teacher Aide Salary QLD: Award Rates vs National Minimum Wage

Teacher Aide Salary QLD: Awards vs the National Minimum Wage

When you search for "teacher aide salary qld", you are likely trying to understand how much these school support staff earn and how that compares to the national minimum wage or the average Australian salary. Teacher aides in Queensland are covered by a state-specific certified agreement, not a modern award or the National Minimum Wage Order. This means their pay is set through enterprise bargaining and is generally higher than the legal minimum. However, because the agreement is negotiated between the state government and unions, the rates can change every few years, and the most recent agreement is still awaiting certification.

How Teacher Aide Pay Is Set in Queensland

The Queensland Department of Education employs more than 20,000 teacher aides across state schools. Their wages are governed by the Department of Education Teacher Aides' Certified Agreement, the latest version of which was certified in 2023 (covering the period from 2022). This agreement sets out classification levels (OO2, OO3, OO4) and pay points. For example, under the 2022 agreement, an OO4 Teacher Aide at pay point 1 earned $38.56 per hour from 1 September 2022. Subsequent increases of 4% (September 2023) and 3% (September 2024) were applied. These rates are well above the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour (index 48.2) that applies from 1 July 2026.

In early 2026, a new enterprise bargaining agreement (EBA) was overwhelmingly accepted by teacher aides (91.8% voted yes). That offer includes an 8% wage increase over the life of the agreement, plus a CPI Adjustment Uplift that could bring the total increase to as much as 10.5%. Once certified by the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission, the pay rises will be backdated. This means the current salary for a teacher aide in Queensland is in transition, and the exact figures depend on the final certification.

Salary Index: Where Teacher Aides Sit

The Salary Index measures annual gross earnings against the national benchmark of 100, which represents full-time adult ordinary-time earnings ($108,352 per year based on ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). For teacher aides, calculating an index is tricky because many work part-time or only during school terms. The certified agreement treats 35 school weeks as equivalent to one year of service for permanency, but pay is spread over 52 weeks. A full-time teacher aide working 38 hours per week for 52 weeks at the 2022 OO4 rate would earn roughly $76,000 per year, giving an index around 70. With the new EBA increases, that could rise to about 75–80. However, because the new rates are not yet published, these are estimates. For comparison, the Education and training industry index sits at 105.5, and the [Queensland state index is 97.9. Teacher aides generally earn below the state average, but above the national minimum.

Awards vs National Minimum Wage: Why It Matters

The angle of "awards versus the national minimum wage" is relevant because many people assume all workers are paid at or near the minimum. Teacher aides are a clear example of a group that has negotiated above-minimum pay. The national minimum wage is set by the Fair Work Commission and applies to all workers not covered by a modern award or agreement. Teacher aides are covered by a state certified agreement, which means their pay is higher. The junior national minimum percentages (e.g., $9.73/hr under 16) do not apply to teacher aides because the agreement sets its own rates for all ages.

What the Data Shows

Jobs and Skills Australia does not publish median weekly earnings for teacher aides due to insufficient data. The 2021 Census showed that only 22% of teacher aides work full-time hours, and average full-time hours are 39 per week. This part-time nature means annual salaries vary widely. The best source for current rates is the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission, which published the 2022 agreement reprint. The new EBA details will appear there once certified.

Practical Example

Consider a teacher aide classified as OO4 pay point 3 under the 2022 agreement. That rate was $41.04 per hour from September 2022. After the 4% increase in 2023 and 3% in 2024, the rate would be approximately $43.90 per hour. Working 30 hours per week (common for part-time) over 52 weeks gives annual earnings of about $68,500, index 63.2. That is still well above the national minimum wage index of 48.2, but below the average. The new EBA will lift this further.

Super and Tax Considerations

Teacher aides receive superannuation guarantee contributions of 12% from 1 July 2026. Their pay is subject to income tax and the 2% Medicare levy. Using the 2026–27 tax rates, a teacher aide earning $68,500 would pay about $11,500 in tax plus Medicare, leaving a take-home of roughly $57,000. The salary index is based on gross earnings, not take-home.

Conclusion

When you search for "teacher aide salary qld", the answer is not a single number but a range determined by classification, hours, and the evolving enterprise agreement. The current rates from the 2022 agreement are public, but the new 2026 EBA will soon set higher pay. Compared to the national minimum wage, teacher aides are well compensated, but they still sit below the national average earnings. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, refer to the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission or the Department of Education. To see how other roles compare, explore the Salary Index, pay guides, and state comparisons.