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NSW Teacher Salary: Award Rates, National Averages, and Take-Home Pay

A NSW teacher under the Educational Services (Teachers) Award earns between $75,941 and $105,076 a year, depending on level, which is below the national full-time average of $108,352 for entry-level teachers and above the median for experienced teachers.

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

NSW Teacher Salary Under the Award

The Educational Services (Teachers) Award (MA000) sets minimum weekly rates for teachers in preschools and schools. For a full-time teacher in NSW, the annual salary ranges from $75,941 at Level 1 (graduate) to $105,076 at Level 5 (highly accomplished/lead teacher). These rates apply from 1 July 2026 and are set by Fair Work. The award also covers teachers in long day care centres with slightly higher rates.

Comparing to the National Full-Time Average

The national full-time adult ordinary-time average is $108,352 per year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). This is the site's line. A teacher at Level 1 ($75,941) is below this average. A teacher at Level 3 ($90,362 is close to the full-time median of $90,532. A teacher at Level 5 ($105,076 is near the national average. The minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $52,255 per year on 38 hours. All teacher award rates are above the minimum.

Take-Home Pay After Tax

Using 2026–27 tax rates and Medicare levy (2%), a teacher earning $83,004 (Level 2) takes home about $60,800 after tax. A teacher earning $105,076 (Level 5) takes home about $72,300. The national full-time average of $108,352 would take home about $74,500.

NSW State Average

New South Wales has a full-time average of about $109,658 per year, slightly above the national average. A teacher at Level 5 ($105,076) is below the NSW average. A teacher at Level 1 ($75,941) is well below. The award rates are minimums; some NSW teachers may earn more under enterprise agreements or with additional allowances.

How the Figures Are Set

The ABS publishes Average Weekly Earnings twice a year, for May and November. The Fair Work Ombudsman sets award rates after annual wage reviews. The ATO sets tax rates annually. For more on how these figures are compiled, see How the figures are set.

Place a Salary on the Line

You can compare any salary to the national full-time average using our tool. Place a salary on the line to see where it sits.

States and Territories

State averages vary. For example, the ACT average is $119,090, while Tasmania is $96,008. See States and territories for all state figures.

Job Medians

The full-time median is about $90,532, and the all-employees median is about $74,100. Teacher award rates span from below to above these medians. See Job medians for more.

Industry Medians

Education and training has a full-time average of $114,354 per year (ABS, May 2026). Teacher award rates are below this industry average, reflecting the mix of roles in the sector. See Industry medians for details.

Guides

For more on understanding pay, tax, and awards, see Guides.

About This Site

This site uses ABS, Fair Work, and ATO data to show where pay sits. See About this site for methodology.

Questions

What is the average NSW teacher salary under the award?

The Educational Services (Teachers) Award sets minimum weekly rates for teachers in preschools and schools. For a full-time teacher in NSW, the annual salary ranges from $75,941 at Level 1 (graduate) to $105,076 at Level 5 (highly accomplished/lead teacher). These rates apply from 1 July 2026 and are set by Fair Work.

How does a teacher salary compare to the national full-time average?

The national full-time adult average ordinary-time earnings are $108,352 per year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). A teacher at Level 1 ($75,941) is below this average. A teacher at Level 3 ($90,362 is close to the full-time median of $90,532. A teacher at Level 5 ($105,076 is near the national average.

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