What is the minimum wage for a deputy principal in NSW?

The legal minimum is the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour (from 1 July 2026) or the applicable award rate, whichever is higher. However, deputy principals in NSW public schools are covered by the Teachers Award and the Principal Classification structure, which set a much higher salary. The current salary for a deputy principal is $174,034 per year (January 2025 rates), plus 12% superannuation.

How does the deputy principal salary compare to the national average?

The deputy principal salary of $174,034 per year is well above the ABS May 2026 average weekly earnings for all employees ($1,579.20 per week, or about $82,118 per year). It is also significantly higher than the full-time adult ordinary time earnings average of $2,083.70 per week (about $108,352 per year).

Are deputy principals entitled to overtime or penalty rates?

Deputy principals are salaried employees under the Teachers Award. The award sets ordinary hours and provides for additional payments in certain circumstances, but overtime and penalty rates are not typically paid as they are for hourly workers. The salary already reflects the responsibilities and expected hours. For specific entitlements, refer to the award or enterprise agreement.

Deputy Principal Salary NSW: Award Rates, Legal Minimums and Actual Pay

The NSW Department of Education pays deputy principals a salary of $174,034 per year (January 2025 rates), well above the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour.

Deputy Principal Salary NSW: What You Need to Know

If you are researching the deputy principal salary NSW, the first thing to understand is that there is no single figure. The pay depends on the school sector (public or private), the specific award or enterprise agreement, and the classification level. For NSW public schools, the salary is set under the Teachers Award and the Principal Classification structure, as detailed by the NSW Department of Education .

Legal Minimum vs Actual Pay

The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage, which from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour week. This is the absolute floor for award-free and agreement-free employees. However, deputy principals are covered by a modern award (the Teachers Award) which sets higher minimum rates. The award backstop ensures that no ongoing employee can be paid less than the national minimum, but in practice, deputy principals earn far more.

For NSW public school deputy principals, the current salary is $174,034 per year (based on January 2025 rates, as published by the NSW Department of Education ). This is the base salary before adding the compulsory superannuation guarantee of 12% on top. The total remuneration package, including super, is $197,241 per year.

How the Salary Is Determined

The deputy principal classification in NSW public schools is part of a structured system. The classification level (e.g., TP2 or AP2) is determined by the school's funding thresholds. The salary for that classification is then set by the award. The figures are reviewed annually, and the thresholds move in line with overall funding increases. Importantly, no principal or deputy principal will move down a classification in 2026 due to salary maintenance provisions.

Comparing to Other Pay Floors

To put the deputy principal salary in perspective, consider the national minimum wage. At $26.44 per hour, a full-time worker on the minimum earns about $1,004.90 per week, or $52,254.80 per year (assuming 52 weeks). A deputy principal earns more than three times that amount. Even compared to the ABS May 2026 average weekly earnings for all employees ($1,579.20 per week), the deputy principal salary is more than double.

What About Private Schools?

Private and independent schools in NSW may have their own enterprise agreements or individual contracts. These can set different salary levels, often higher or lower than the public school rates. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides resources to check the applicable award or agreement. For award-free employees, the national minimum wage applies, but most deputy principals in private schools are covered by an agreement that sets a higher rate.

Practical Check: Hourly Rate

If you want to compare the deputy principal salary to an hourly rate, divide the annual salary by the number of weeks and then by the ordinary hours per week. Using 38 hours per week and 52 weeks, the hourly equivalent is about $88.09. This is well above the national minimum of $26.44 per hour and even above the casual minimum of $33.05 per hour. However, note that deputy principals are salaried and may work additional hours beyond the standard 38, so the effective hourly rate could be lower depending on actual hours worked.

Superannuation and Other Benefits

Employers must pay superannuation guarantee contributions of 12% on top of ordinary time earnings. For a deputy principal on $174,034, that adds $20,884.08 per year to the total cost to the employer. Additionally, NSW public school deputy principals may be eligible for salary packaging, which can further increase disposable income by allowing pre-tax payments for items like a car or laptop.

Where to Find More Information

Which minimum wage applies – A guide to determining your correct pay floor.
Rate tables – Current national minimum wage and award rates.

Summary

The deputy principal salary in NSW public schools is a professional salary set by the Teachers Award and the Principal Classification structure. It is far above the national minimum wage and the average Australian earnings. For the most up-to-date figures, always refer to the relevant award or your employer's enterprise agreement. The Fair Work Commission sets the legal minimum, but the award or agreement will determine your actual pay.

For the published floors, see the rate tables and how the figures work.