Private school teacher salary and the national line
When you place a salary on the line, the benchmark is the national full-time adult ordinary-time average: $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year, according to the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026. For a private school teacher, where your pay sits relative to that line depends on your award classification, your state, and the specific school’s pay structure.
The ABS does not publish a separate average for private school teachers. Instead, the most authoritative public figures come from Fair Work’s Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020, which covers many private schools. That award sets minimum weekly rates for full-time teachers in preschools and schools, from Level 1 (graduate or provisionally accredited) at $1,455.40 per week ($75,941 per year) up to Level 5 (Highly Accomplished or Lead Teacher) at $2,013.70 per week ($105,076 per year). These are minimums; actual private school teacher salaries are often higher, especially in independent schools with strong reputations or in high-cost states.
Award minimums vs actual pay
The award rates increased by 4.75% from 1 July 2026, consistent with the national minimum wage rise. But many private schools pay above the award through enterprise agreements or individual contracts. For example, a teacher at Level 3 (proficient accreditation after three years at Level 2) earns a minimum of $1,731.70 per week ($90,362 per year). That is about $18,000 below the national full-time average. However, a lead teacher at a prestigious private school in Sydney or Melbourne might earn $120,000 or more, pushing them well above the line.
It is also important to distinguish between averages and medians. The full-time median earnings (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025) are about $90,532 per year, and the all-employees median is about $74,100. So a private school teacher at Level 2 ($83,004) is below the full-time median but above the all-employees median. At Level 5 ($105,076), they are above both medians but still slightly below the full-time average.
State differences
State full-time averages vary considerably, as shown on our states and territories page. For instance:
- New South Wales full-time average: about $109,658
- Victoria full-time average: about $106,137
- Queensland full-time average: about $106,064
- South Australia full-time average: about $102,450
- Western Australia full-time average: about $115,825
- Tasmania full-time average: about $96,008
- Northern Territory full-time average: about $103,173
- Australian Capital Territory full-time average: about $119,090
A private school teacher in Western Australia, where the overall full-time average is highest, may find their salary closer to or above the national line, while a teacher in Tasmania may be further below. The award does not vary by state, but school funding, cost of living, and competition for staff do. For example, a Level 4 teacher ($97,720 minimum) in Tasmania is just above the state’s full-time average, but in the ACT they are well below the territory’s average of $119,090.
How the figures are set
The national line is based on the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey, which captures all full-time adult employees across all industries. It is published twice a year, for May and November. The award rates are set by the Fair Work Commission after annual wage reviews. Private school teacher salaries are not separately tracked by the ABS, so the award provides the best publicly available benchmark. For a more detailed explanation of how these figures are compiled, see how the figures are set.
Tax and take-home pay
A private school teacher earning $105,076 per year (award Level 5) falls into the 30% tax bracket for 2026–27 (taxable income between $45,001 and $135,000). After the tax-free threshold of $18,200, they would pay about $24,667 in income tax plus the 2% Medicare levy (about $2,102), leaving around $78,307 after tax. That is about $1,506 per week. By comparison, the national full-time average of $108,352 would yield about $80,500 after tax. The difference is modest at the top award level, but at entry level ($75,941) the after-tax figure is about $59,500.
Conclusion
A private school teacher salary can sit anywhere from well below the national line to comfortably above it, depending on classification, experience, and location. The award minimums provide a floor, but actual pay often reflects the school’s resources and the local labour market. To see where your own salary falls, use our tool to place a salary on the line.