Early childhood educator salary in Australia
Early childhood educators play a vital role in the development of young children. In Australia, the term covers a range of roles, from early childhood teachers (pre-primary) to educators in long day care. This article focuses on the salary for early childhood (pre-primary) teachers, using the most recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics and Fair Work.
National context
The national full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings are $2,083.70, or about $108,352 per year, according to the ABS Average Weekly Earnings report for May 2026. This is the benchmark line used on this site. The full-time median earnings across all occupations are lower, at about $90,532 per year (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025). The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, or $52,255 per year on a 38-hour week.
Median earnings for early childhood teachers
The ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (May 2025) provides median weekly earnings for full-time non-managerial employees in specific occupations. For early childhood (pre-primary) teachers, the median is $1,906 per week. That works out to about $99,112 per year before tax, and roughly $50 per hour based on a 38-hour week (the standard used on this site).
This median is above the all-occupations median of $1,852 per week, but below the national full-time average of $2,083.70. It reflects the specialised qualifications and responsibilities of early childhood teachers, who typically hold a bachelor's degree or equivalent.
Award minimum rates
The Fair Work Educational Services (Teachers) Award sets minimum pay for teachers in preschools and schools. From 1 July 2026, the full-time 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)
These rates apply to teachers employed under the award. Many early childhood teachers are covered by this award, though some may be under enterprise agreements or other arrangements. The median of $1,906 sits between Level 3 and Level 4, indicating that many teachers are paid above the minimum.
How to use this site's tool
You can place a salary on the line to see how any yearly figure compares to the national full-time average. The tool converts your yearly salary to a weekly and hourly amount based on a 38-hour week, and shows the distance from the $108,352 average. For example, entering $99,112 (the median for early childhood teachers) would show a weekly pay of $1,906 and an hourly rate of $50, and indicate that it is about 8.5% below the average.
State and territory differences
Full-time average earnings vary by state and territory, as shown in the ABS data. For instance, the ACT has the highest average at $119,090, while Tasmania is lowest at $96,008. Early childhood teacher salaries may also vary by location, but specific state-level medians for this occupation are not published. You can explore states and territories for more detail on regional averages.
Other early childhood roles
The term "early childhood educator" also includes childcare workers and other educators not classified as teachers. Those roles are covered by different awards, such as the Children's Services Award, and typically have lower pay rates. The data in this article is specifically for early childhood (pre-primary) teachers (ANZSCO 2411). For other roles, consult the relevant award or the job medians page.
Understanding the figures
The figures in this article come from trusted sources. The median is from the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, which is the most comprehensive source for occupation-specific pay. The average is from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings series, which is published twice a year (May and November). Award rates are from Fair Work. All figures are before tax. For more on how these figures are set, see how the figures are set.
Tax considerations
For the 2026–27 financial year, resident tax rates are: nil on the first $18,200, 15% on income up to $45,000, 30% up to $135,000, 37% up to $190,000, and 45% above that. The Medicare levy of 2% applies. A teacher earning $99,112 would fall in the 30% bracket, with a marginal rate of 32% including Medicare. Take-home pay will be lower than the gross figures quoted.
Conclusion
Early childhood educator salaries in Australia vary by role, qualification, and location. For pre-primary teachers, the median full-time salary of about $99,112 is a solid benchmark, above the national median but below the full-time average. Award minimums provide a floor, and many teachers earn above those rates. Use this site's tool to see where any salary sits on the line.