WA teacher salary 2026: State and award rates in context
Western Australian teachers are paid under two main frameworks: the state government's own salary schedule and the national Educational Services (Teachers) Award. Understanding where these figures sit against the national full-time average helps explain why a state or an award can move a salary off the line.
The national line
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). This is the reference point for Place a salary on the line. Western Australia's state average is higher: $2,227.40 a week, about $115,825 a year. That already pulls many WA salaries above the national line.
WA government teacher salaries
The WA Department of Education publishes its own salary scale. As of December 2025, a qualified teacher at entry level (level 2.1) earned $88,178 a year. The scale progresses annually to level 2.9, with level 2.4 at $107,175. These figures are set by the state government and are not directly tied to the award. For 2026, the department has not yet released updated salaries, but the award provides a floor.
The award minimums
The Educational Services (Teachers) Award sets minimum rates for teachers in preschools, schools, and long day care centres. From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, the weekly rates for school teachers are:
- Level 1: $1,455.40 ($75,681 a year)
- Level 2: $1,590.70 ($82,716 a year)
- Level 3: $1,731.70 ($90,048 a year)
- Level 4: $1,872.70 ($97,380 a year)
- Level 5: $2,013.70 ($104,712 a year)
These rates rose by 4.75% from the previous award. The WA government's starting salary of $88,178 is well above the Level 1 award rate, reflecting the state's higher cost of living and labour market conditions.
Why the difference matters
The gap between the award and the state government scale shows how a single occupation can have multiple pay points. The award is a safety net; the state government chooses to pay more to attract and retain teachers. This is one reason why Western Australia has a higher average than the national line. The award itself also has multiple levels, so a teacher's classification moves their salary closer to or further from the average.
Putting it together
For a WA teacher in 2026, the actual salary depends on their employer (government or non-government), their classification, and their experience. The award minimums are a useful benchmark, but most government teachers earn above them. The national average of $108,352 sits between the award's Level 4 and Level 5 rates. A WA government teacher at level 2.4 ($107,175) is just below the national average, while a teacher at level 2.9 (not published but likely above $110,000) would exceed it.
For more detail on how salaries are set, see How the figures are set. To see where your own salary sits, use Place a salary on the line.
The role of the award in 2026
The 4.75% increase to award rates from July 2026 brings the minimums closer to the national average but still below it for lower levels. The WA government has not yet announced its 2026 adjustments, but historically it keeps pace with or exceeds award increases. The state's higher average earnings reflect a strong economy and competition for skilled workers.
In summary, a WA teacher's salary in 2026 is shaped by both the award and the state government's own decisions. The national line provides a useful comparison, but local factors can move a salary significantly above or below it.