Teachers Aide Salary NSW: Award Rates vs the National Minimum Wage

What is a teachers aide salary in NSW?

When you search for "teachers aide salary nsw" you are asking about the pay for a role that assists teachers in classrooms, preparing materials and supporting students. In New South Wales, most teachers aides work in schools under the Educational Services (Schools) General Staff Award (MA000076), which sets minimum pay rates. The role is often part-time – only 22% work full-time hours – and the median age is 46 years Jobs and Skills Australia.

Award rates vs the national minimum wage

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week, annualised to $52,255. That gives a Salary Index score of 48.2 – meaning it sits at 48.2% of full-time adult ordinary-time earnings. The teachers aide award starts at Level 1.1, which pays exactly the same: $26.44 per hour. So at the bottom of the classification scale, the award and the national minimum wage are identical.

But the award goes higher. Level 8 pays $46.64 per hour ($1,772.30 per week, annualised $92,160, index 85.0). That is well above the minimum. The award has 15 levels in between, each with different rates. For example, a teachers aide at Level 2.1 gets $29.11 per hour, Level 4.1 $31.11, Level 6.2 $39.10 Fair Work Ombudsman.

Where does the salary sit on the index?

The national line is $2,083.70 per week (annualised $108,352). A full-time teachers aide at Level 1.1 earns $52,255 per year – index 48.2. At Level 8, $92,160 – index 85.0. Most teachers aides are part-time, so actual annual earnings are lower. The states page shows NSW has a state index of 101.2, meaning average full-time ordinary earnings are slightly above the national average. Education and training industry index is 105.5.

Casual loading and super

Casual employees get a 25% loading. For a Level 1.1 teachers aide, that means $33.05 per hour. Super guarantee is 12% from 1 July 2026. Tax for a resident with the tax-free threshold and 2% Medicare levy: at $52,255 annual, tax about $5,092 plus Medicare $1,045, take-home around $46,118. At $92,160, tax about $19,467 plus Medicare $1,843, take-home about $70,850.

NSW Department of Education awards

The NSW Department of Education has its own awards for non-teaching staff, such as the Crown Employees (School Administrative and Support Staff) Award 2024. These may set different rates. The federal award is a safety net; state awards can pay more.

Summary

A teachers aide salary in NSW under the federal award ranges from the national minimum wage up to about $46.64 per hour. On the Salary Index, that is from 48.2 to 85.0. Most aides work part-time, so actual pay is often less. The award is the minimum; some employers pay above. For more on how the index works, see how the index works. For other industries, see industries. For pay guides, see pay guides.