What is a PE teacher salary?
A physical education (PE) teacher in Australia is typically employed under the Educational Services (Teachers) Award, which sets minimum pay rates for teachers in preschools and schools. The award classifies teachers into five levels based on experience and responsibility. As of 1 July 2026, the full-time weekly rates are:
- Level 1: $1,455.40
- Level 2: $1,590.70
- Level 3: $1,731.70
- Level 4: $1,872.70
- Level 5: $2,013.70
These rates apply to a standard 38-hour week. Casual teachers receive a loading, and additional allowances are available for directors, leadership roles, and educational leaders.
How the award sets the minimum
The award is a legally binding document that ensures all covered employees receive at least the specified minimum. For PE teachers working in long day care centres, a separate schedule applies with slightly higher rates (e.g., Level 1 at $1,513.60 per week). The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes updated pay guides annually, and the 2026 guide reflects a 4.75% increase in award minimums.
Actual salaries for PE teachers often exceed award minimums due to enterprise agreements, individual contracts, or state government pay scales. For example, many public school teachers are covered by collective agreements that provide higher pay and additional benefits.
Comparing to the national average
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reports that the national full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings were $2,083.70 in May 2026. This equates to about $108,352 per year. A PE teacher at the top of the award scale (Level 5) earns $2,013.70 per week, or about $104,712 annually—roughly 3.4% below the national average.
However, the ABS also provides data on Employee Earnings and Hours (May 2025), which shows that full-time non-managerial employees in the Education and training industry earn an average of $2,121.00 per week. This figure is slightly above the national average, suggesting that many teachers, including PE teachers, earn more than the award minimum.
For context, the all-employees median weekly earnings are $1,436 (about $74,672 per year), while the full-time median is about $1,741 per week ($90,532 per year). A PE teacher at Level 3 or above already exceeds the all-employees median.
What moves PE teacher pay above or below the average?
Several factors can push a PE teacher's salary above or below the national full-time average:
Sector: Public vs private
The ABS data shows a clear divide: public sector full-time average weekly earnings are $2,263.10, while private sector is $2,034.10. Public school teachers often benefit from state-based agreements that include higher pay, better conditions, and regular increments. Private school salaries can vary widely, with some independent schools offering competitive packages.
Location
State and territory averages differ significantly. The highest full-time average is in the Australian Capital Territory ($2,290.20 per week, about $119,090 per year), while Tasmania has the lowest ($1,846.30 per week, about $96,008 per year). A PE teacher in the ACT is more likely to earn above the national average, while one in Tasmania may be below.
Experience and classification
Under the award, progression from Level 1 to Level 5 can take several years. A beginning teacher at Level 1 earns well below the average, while an experienced teacher at Level 5 is close to it. Many teachers also move into leadership roles (e.g., head of department, director of sport) that attract additional allowances, pushing their pay above the average.
Allowances
The award includes several allowances that can boost income:
- Director's allowance: $8,733 to $13,138 per year
- Leadership allowance: $1,215 to $6,075 per year
- Educational leader allowance: $957 to $4,784 per year
- Vehicle allowance: $1.01 per km for motor car use
These can add thousands to annual earnings, making a significant difference.
How the figures are set
The national average is calculated by the ABS from its Average Weekly Earnings survey, conducted twice a year (May and November). The figure used on this site is the seasonally adjusted full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings. Medians come from the Employee Earnings and Hours survey, which is run every two years (most recently May 2025). Award rates are set by the Fair Work Commission and updated annually.
For a PE teacher, the most reliable way to see where your pay sits is to compare your actual salary to the national average and to the award minimums. If you are covered by an enterprise agreement, check the specific rates for your classification.
Summary
A PE teacher's salary in Australia is typically between $75,000 and $105,000 under the award, but many earn more through agreements or public sector employment. The national full-time average of $108,352 is a useful benchmark: experienced teachers in public schools or leadership roles often exceed it, while early-career or private school teachers may fall below.
Place a salary on the line to see how your pay compares, or explore States and territories for location-specific averages.