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Head teacher salary NSW: How it compares to the national average

The specific head teacher salary in NSW is not published in current award or government tables, but head teachers are typically classified at higher teacher award levels (Level 4 or 5), with weekly rates up to $1,692.90, well above the NSW full-time average of about $109,658.

This is the New South Wales full-time average. It sits $1,306 over the Australian full-time average, about 1.2% above the line.

Week, hour, and a tax sketch

$2,109 a week · $55.49 an hour if spread over 38 hours

About $84,047 after resident income tax and a 2% Medicare levy.

2026–27 resident rates and a 2% Medicare levy. Not a tax assessment.Open the full line

Head teacher salary NSW: Where does it sit against the national line?

If you're looking up a head teacher salary in NSW, you won't find a single official figure published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Fair Work, or the NSW Department of Education for 2026. That's because 'head teacher' is a role, not a distinct classification in the main award. Instead, head teachers are typically employed at higher levels of the Educational Services (Teachers) Award – usually Level 4 or Level 5 – and may also receive allowances or be covered by enterprise agreements.

To understand where a head teacher salary in NSW sits, we need to compare the award minimums, the state average, and the national full-time average that this site uses as its line.

Award minimums for teachers

The Fair Work Ombudsman's pay guide for the Educational Services (Teachers) Award (MA000077) lists weekly and hourly rates for full-time teachers. As of the last published update (rates effective from 1 July 2022), the classifications are:

  • Level 1: $1,223.50 per week ($32.20 per hour)
  • Level 2: $1,337.30 per week ($35.19 per hour)
  • Level 3: $1,455.80 per week ($38.31 per hour)
  • Level 4: $1,574.40 per week ($41.43 per hour)
  • Level 5: $1,692.90 per week ($44.55 per hour)

A head teacher would generally be at Level 4 or 5, meaning a minimum weekly salary between $1,574.40 and $1,692.90. That's about $81,869 to $88,031 per year (based on 52 weeks). However, these are minimum rates – many head teachers in NSW receive above-award pay through school enterprise agreements or individual contracts.

How the award compares to the national line

The national full-time adult ordinary-time average used on this site is $2,083.70 per week (about $108,352 per year) from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026. Even the top award level for teachers ($1,692.90) is well below that line. But remember: the award is a minimum. Actual head teacher salaries in NSW are often higher, especially in public schools where the NSW Department of Education has its own salary structures.

NSW state average as a benchmark

The ABS reports that full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings in New South Wales were $2,108.00 per week (original, November 2025), which works out to about $109,658 per year. That's slightly above the national average. A head teacher earning at the award minimum would be below this state average, but many head teachers earn closer to or above it, depending on experience, school size, and responsibilities.

What about the NSW Teachers Award initiatives?

The NSW Department of Education publishes principal classification thresholds and salaries, but not head teacher rates. For example, the 2026 table shows principal salaries ranging from $149,059 (TP1/AP1) to $178,811 (P1-P5) plus complexity loadings. Head teachers are below principal level, so their pay would be less than $149,059. The department does not provide a public schedule for head teacher pay in 2026.

Putting it on the line

If you're a head teacher in NSW, your salary likely falls somewhere between the award minimum (around $88,000 at Level 5) and the principal threshold (around $149,000). The national line of $108,352 sits in the middle of that range. To see where your specific pay lands, you can place a salary on the line and compare it to the national average, state averages, and medians.

Other benchmarks to consider

  • Full-time median earnings: The ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025, puts the full-time median at about $90,532 per year. That's close to the top award rate for teachers. A head teacher at Level 5 would be slightly below the median, but with allowances or above-award pay they could exceed it.
  • All-employees median: About $74,100 per year – well below even the lowest teacher level.
  • National minimum wage: From 1 July 2026, the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, or about $52,255 per year. Teacher award rates are significantly higher.

Why the figure can vary

A head teacher salary in NSW can move off the national line for several reasons:

  • Award level: Level 4 vs Level 5 makes a difference of about $6,200 per year.
  • Allowances: The award includes director's allowances (up to $5.57 per hour) and leadership allowances (up to $2.58 per hour), which add to the base rate.
  • Enterprise agreements: Many NSW public schools have agreements that set higher rates than the award.
  • Location: Schools in remote or disadvantaged areas may offer additional loadings.
  • Experience: Increments within a level can increase pay over time.

Summary

While there is no single 'head teacher salary NSW' figure in official sources, the award minimums and state averages provide a useful framework. Most head teachers in NSW earn between $88,000 and $110,000, with the national line at about $108,352. To get a precise comparison, use the New South Wales page or check your own salary against the line.

For more details on how salaries are set, see How the figures are set.

Questions

What is the average head teacher salary in NSW?

There is no single published figure for a head teacher salary in NSW from the ABS, Fair Work, or the NSW Department of Education for 2026. Head teachers are usually employed under the Educational Services (Teachers) Award and are classified at higher levels (Level 4 or 5), with weekly pay up to $1,692.90 as of July 2022 rates. Actual salaries may be higher due to enterprise agreements or allowances. The NSW full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings are about $2,108.00 (ABS, November 2025), equating to roughly $109,658 per year.

How does a head teacher salary in NSW compare to the national average?

The national full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings are $2,083.70 per week (about $108,352 per year) as of May 2026. A head teacher at the top of the award (Level 5) earns $1,692.90 per week, which is below the national average. However, many head teachers receive additional allowances or are covered by above-award agreements that can lift their pay closer to or above the national line. The NSW state average is slightly higher than the national average, at about $109,658.

Which award covers head teachers in NSW?

Head teachers in NSW are generally covered by the Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020 (MA000077), administered by Fair Work. The award sets minimum pay rates for teachers in preschools and schools, with levels from 1 to 5. Head teachers are typically at Level 4 or 5. Additional allowances such as a director's allowance or leadership allowance may apply. Some head teachers in NSW public schools may be covered by separate enterprise agreements or the NSW Teachers Award initiatives, which include principal classification thresholds but not specific head teacher rates.

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