Early childhood teacher salary under the award
Early childhood teachers in Australia are covered by the Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020, which sets minimum pay rates for teachers in preschools, schools, and long day care centres. The award has five classification levels based on experience and accreditation. For a full-time teacher working 38 ordinary hours per week, the minimum weekly rates are:
- Preschools and schools: Level 1 $1,455.40 ($75,941 a year), Level 2 $1,590.70 ($83,004), Level 3 $1,731.70 ($90,362), Level 4 $1,872.70 ($97,720), Level 5 $2,013.70 ($105,076).
- Long day care centres: Level 1 $1,513.60 ($78,979), Level 2 $1,654.40 ($86,324), Level 3 $1,801.00 ($93,976), Level 4 $1,947.70 ($101,629), Level 5 $2,094.30 ($109,279).
The long day care rates are 4% higher because those employees are not covered by the ordinary hours provisions that apply to preschools and schools.
Where the salary sits against the national average
The national full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings, as measured by the ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026, is $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 a year. This is the line on this site. Place a salary on the line to see how any salary compares.
Most early childhood teachers at Levels 1 to 3 are below this average. Only a Level 5 teacher in a long day care centre ($109,279) is slightly above the average. In preschools, even Level 5 ($105,076) is about $2,976 below the average. The full-time median salary across all industries is about $90,532 (ABS Employee earnings, August 2025). The all-employees median (including part-time and casual) is about $74,100. The award rates for early childhood teachers are generally above the full-time median at Levels 2 and above for preschools and above the all-employees median at Levels 3 and above.
How the award rates compare to the minimum wage and state averages
The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, or about $52,255 a year on 38 hours. Every early childhood teacher award rate is well above that. For example, a Level 1 preschool teacher at $1,455.45 per week is about 45% higher than the minimum wage.
State full-time averages also vary. The state with the highest full-time average is the Australian Capital Territory at about $119,090, followed by Western Australia at $115,825. The lowest is Tasmania at $96,008. An early childhood teacher at Level 3 in a preschool ($90,362) would be below the Tasmanian average, while a Level 5 in long day care ($109,279) would be above the Tasmanian average but below the ACT average. States and territories shows how each state compares.
How the figures are set
The award rates are set by the Fair Work Commission and updated each financial year. The ABS Average Weekly Earnings is published twice a year, for May and November. The median figures come from the ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey, most recently for August 2025. How the figures are set explains the methodology.
What this means for early childhood teachers
If you are an early childhood teacher, your actual salary may be higher than the award minimum, especially if you work in a long day care centre or have advanced accreditation. The award provides a floor, not a ceiling. Many employers pay above award rates to attract and retain staff. The national average gives a benchmark: if you earn above $108,352, you are above the typical full-time worker.
For more detail on how salaries compare across occupations, see Job medians. For industry comparisons, see Industry medians.
Summary
Early childhood teacher salaries under the award range from about $75,941 to $109,279 a year, depending on classification and setting. The national full-time average is $108,352. Most early childhood teachers at lower levels are below the average, while those at the top of the scale in long day care can be slightly above. The award ensures pay is well above the national minimum wage.