Teacher salary and the national full-time average
The on-site index does not contain a specific figure for teacher salary. The national full-time adult ordinary-time average is $2,083.70 a week, or about $108,352 a year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026, × 52). This is the line against which all roles are measured. Without a published teacher salary in the index, we can only discuss where teacher pay typically sits relative to this benchmark.
What the index does contain
The site draws on three key sources:
- ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026 – the national full-time average of $108,352 a year (men $113,412; women $100,594).
- ABS Employee earnings, August 2025 – the full-time median of about $90,532 and the all-employees median of about $74,100.
- Fair Work, from 1 July 2026 – the national minimum wage of $26.44 an hour, $1,004.90 a week, about $52,255 a year on a 38-hour week. Award minimums rose 4.75%.
State full-time averages are also available: New South Wales $109,658; Victoria $106,137; Queensland $106,064; South Australia $102,450; Western Australia $115,825; Tasmania $96,008; Northern Territory $103,173; Australian Capital Territory $119,090.
Where teacher pay might sit
Teacher salaries in Australia are set by state government awards, enterprise agreements, or independent school contracts. A typical classroom teacher in a government school might start around $75,000 and progress to $110,000 or more with experience and higher duties. This range means many teachers earn below the national full-time average early in their careers and above it later. Senior teachers, head teachers, and principals often earn well above $120,000, placing them clearly above the line.
Factors that would move teacher pay above the average include:
- Experience and classification – incremental salary steps in awards push pay higher over time.
- Leadership roles – head of department, deputy principal, principal.
- Location – remote or hard-to-staff schools often attract additional allowances.
- Sector – independent schools may offer above-award rates.
Factors that keep teacher pay below the average include:
- Early career – graduate teachers typically earn below the full-time average.
- Part-time or casual work – many teachers work less than full-time hours, reducing annual earnings.
- Award minimums – some teaching classifications may be tied to award rates that are below the national average.
Comparing to medians and minimums
The full-time median of $90,532 is a useful reference. Many teachers in their first few years earn close to or below this median. The all-employees median of $74,100 is lower because it includes part-time and casual workers. The minimum wage of $52,255 is well below typical teacher pay, so even early-career teachers are above that floor.
State variations
Teacher salaries vary by state. For example, the ACT has the highest state full-time average at $119,090, and its teacher pay tends to be higher. Tasmania has the lowest state average at $96,008, and teacher salaries there may be closer to the national average or below. States and territories provides more detail on local averages.
How the figures are set
The national full-time average is updated twice a year by the ABS (May and November). The medians come from the ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey (August 2025). The minimum wage is set by Fair Work annually. How the figures are set explains the methodology.
Conclusion
Because the precise teacher salary is not in the on-site index, we cannot give an exact comparison. However, based on typical ranges, teacher pay can sit both below and above the national full-time average of $108,352 depending on experience, role, and location. To see where your own salary falls, you can place a salary on the line and compare it directly to the national average.