How to Compare Teachers Salary Offers Using the Salary Index

How to Compare Teachers Salary Offers Using the Salary Index

When you see a job ad for a teaching role in Australia, the salary figure can be hard to judge. Is it fair? Is it above the minimum? How does it stack up against what other teachers earn? The Salary Index helps by putting any gross annual salary against the national line of 100 – the full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 per year (from the Australian Bureau of Statistics). Here’s how to use that lens for a teachers salary.

Award Minimums for Teachers

The starting point for any teachers salary is the relevant award. Most school and preschool teachers are covered by the Educational Services (Teachers) Award [MA000077], which sets minimum pay rates from 1 July 2026. The Fair Work Ombudsman pay guide shows five levels for teachers in preschools and schools:

• Level 1: $1,455.40 per week ($38.30 per hour) – index 69.8
• Level 2: $1,590.70 per week ($41.86 per hour) – index 76.3
• Level 3: $1,731.70 per week ($45.57 per hour) – index 83.1
• Level 4: $1,872.70 per week ($49.28 per hour) – index 89.9
• Level 5: $2,013.70 per week ($52.99 per hour) – index 96.6

For teachers in long day care centres, the rates are slightly higher: Level 1 starts at $1,513.60 per week ($39.83 per hour). These are the legal minimums. A job ad offering exactly the award rate is at the floor – and far below the national line for all but Level 5.

Median Earnings: What Most Teachers Actually Earn

Award rates don’t tell the whole story. According to Jobs and Skills Australia, the median full-time weekly earnings for Primary School Teachers is $2,226. That annualises to roughly $115,752, giving an index of 107 – above the national line. The median hourly rate is $60. This gap between award minimums and median earnings reflects experience, enterprise agreements, and state-based pay scales.

When you compare a job offer, ask: Is this above the award? How does it compare to the median? If the ad says $80,000 a year (index 74), that’s near the award floor. If it says $120,000 (index 111), that’s above the median and likely a senior or experienced role.

Using the Salary Index to Compare Offers

The Salary Index converts any gross annual salary into a number where 100 is the national average. For a teachers salary, you can calculate it yourself: divide the annual salary by $108,352 and multiply by 100. For example:

• A job at $90,000: index 83 – below the national line, typical for early-career teachers.
• A job at $110,000: index 102 – around the national average.
• A job at $130,000: index 120 – above average, possibly a head teacher or in a high-paying state.

Remember that the index uses gross ordinary-time earnings. Your take-home pay will be less after tax and the 2% Medicare levy. For a $110,000 salary in 2026–27, the estimated take-home is about $82,500 (using the tax-free threshold and marginal rates).

State and Industry Variations

Where you teach matters. The states page shows that the ACT has the highest index at 109.9, while Tasmania is at 88.6. A teachers salary in Canberra will typically be higher than in Hobart, even under the same award. The Education and Training industry index is 105.5, meaning the sector as a whole pays slightly above the national line. But within that, teachers in private schools or with specialised skills may earn more.

Reading a Job Ad: Practical Steps

1. Check the award classification. The ad might say “Teacher Level 1” or “Classroom Teacher.” Match it to the award levels above.
2. Compare to the median. Use the $2,226 weekly figure as a benchmark for a typical full-time teacher.
3. Factor in super. The super guarantee is 12% from July 2026, so a salary of $100,000 includes $12,000 in super. The index uses gross salary including super? No, the index is based on ordinary-time earnings before super. But when comparing offers, note whether super is on top or included.
4. Consider casual rates. Casual teachers get a loading. For a casual Level 1 teacher, the full-day rate is $363.85, which is about $45.48 per hour for an 8-hour day – higher than the hourly award rate.

Caveats

The award rates are minimums. Many teachers are covered by enterprise agreements that pay more. The median data from the ABS is for full-time non-managerial employees and may not capture part-time or casual workers. Always read the full award for your specific classification.

For more on how the index works, see how the index works. To explore pay guides for different awards, visit pay guides. And if you’re comparing offers across states, the states page gives local benchmarks.

Summary

A teachers salary in Australia ranges from award minimums around $1,455 per week (index 70) to medians of $2,226 per week (index 107). When you read a job ad, use the Salary Index to see where the offer sits relative to the national line. That simple number tells you whether the pay is below average, average, or above average – and helps you compare offers with confidence.