Teacher salary SA: How South Australian teacher pay compares to the national line

What 'teacher salary sa' means for your pay

When you look up teacher salary sa, you are probably comparing pay for school teachers in South Australia against the national average. The Salary Index sets the national line at 100, which equals full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 a year (from ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). South Australia's state index is 94.6, meaning the typical SA worker earns about 5.4% below the national line. But teacher pay in SA can sit above or below that, depending on experience and employer.

Two main awards cover SA teachers

South Australia has a mix of state and federal industrial relations. Most government school teachers are covered by the School Teachers Award (state), administered by the SA Department for Education. Teachers in private schools, early childhood centres, and some other settings fall under the federal Educational Services (Teachers) Award MA000077, published by the Fair Work Ombudsman. The rates differ, so it pays to know which award applies to your job.

SA government teacher salary steps

The SA Department for Education publishes annual rates for teachers under the School Teachers Award, effective May 2026. Teachers start at step 1 and move up automatically every 207 duty days (roughly one school year) until step 8. Step 9 is a competency-based progression. Here are the key annual rates:

• Step 1: $84,971
• Step 2: $89,350
• Step 3: $93,735
• Step 4: $98,113
• Step 5: $102,509
• Step 6: $106,890
• Step 7: $111,269
• Step 8: $117,198
• Step 9: $123,236

These are gross ordinary-time earnings. To see where they sit on the index, divide by the national line ($108,352) and multiply by 100. Step 1 gives an index of 78.4, well below the national average. Step 5 gives 94.6, exactly matching the SA state average. Step 9 gives 113.7, above the national line and above the Education and training industry index of 105.5.

Federal award rates for teachers

The Fair Work Ombudsman's Educational Services (Teachers) Award sets minimum rates for teachers in private schools and long day care centres, effective from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026. For full-time teachers in preschools and schools, the weekly rates are:

• Level 1: $1,455.40 ($38.30/hr)
• Level 2: $1,590.70 ($41.86/hr)
• Level 3: $1,731.70 ($45.57/hr)
• Level 4: $1,872.70 ($49.28/hr)
• Level 5: $2,013.70 ($52.99/hr)

Annualised, Level 1 works out to about $75,681 (index 69.9) and Level 5 to about $104,712 (index 96.6). These are lower than the SA government steps, reflecting different classification structures. Casual rates and long day care rates also apply under this award, with additional loadings for Saturday work, overtime, and shift penalties.

State and industry differences matter

South Australia's overall cost of living and wage levels are below the national average, but the Education and training industry nationally sits above it at index 105.5. That means a teacher in SA working for the state government at step 6 or above is earning more than the typical education worker across Australia. The gap between SA government teachers and the federal award shows how important it is to know which award covers you.

For a deeper look at how states compare, see the states page. To understand how the index is calculated, visit how the index works. And for more on industry benchmarks, check industries.

Allowances and super

Both awards include additional payments. Under the federal award, directors of early childhood services can receive allowances from $8,733 to $13,138 per year, and leadership allowances range from $3,038 to $6,075 per year. The SA government award also has allowances for special authority teachers, temporary relieving teachers, and hourly paid instructors. For example, a temporary relieving teacher at step 1 under the SA award earns $106,214 per year (index 98.0), reflecting a 25% loading.

Superannuation is on top. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of ordinary-time earnings, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830. For a step 5 SA government teacher on $102,509, that adds about $12,301 in super each year. Tax is also a factor: the 2026–27 resident tax rates start at nil up to $18,200, then 15% to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, 37% to $190,000, and 45% above that, plus the 2% Medicare levy. A step 5 teacher would have a marginal rate of 30% plus Medicare, so take-home is roughly $75,000 after tax and before super.

Putting it together

When you search for teacher salary sa, you are looking at a range that starts around index 70 under the federal award and can reach index 114 under the state award at the top step. The SA state average index of 94.6 is a useful midpoint: a teacher at step 5 hits that exactly, while newer teachers are below and experienced teachers are above. The national line of 100 is crossed at about step 6 ($106,890, index 98.7) and step 7 ($111,269, index 102.7).

For more context on how your pay compares, see the pay guides section or explore topics related to teacher pay. Remember that these are minimum rates; enterprise agreements or individual contracts may offer more. Always check the specific award or agreement that applies to your role.