What is the early childhood teacher salary under the award?

Under the Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020, a full-time early childhood teacher in a long day care centre is paid a minimum annual salary of $78,979 at Level 1, rising to $109,279 at Level 5. For teachers in preschools and schools, the range is $75,941 to $105,076. Part-time employees are paid pro rata.

How does the worker retention payment affect early childhood teacher pay?

The Australian Government’s worker retention payment (WRP) requires eligible providers to pass on a 15% increase above the award rate to staff from December 2025. For a Level 1 long day care teacher, this lifts the minimum hourly rate from $39.83 to $45.80. The WRP applies to workers in services that receive the funding.

Are early childhood teachers entitled to superannuation?

Yes. Employers must pay superannuation guarantee contributions of 12% on top of ordinary time earnings. For a Level 1 long day care teacher earning the award minimum of $78,979, the employer would contribute an additional $9,477 annually to super.

Early childhood teacher salary: award rates, worker retention payment and take-home pay

The minimum early childhood teacher salary under the award ranges from $78,979 to $109,279 annually, with an additional 15% worker retention payment for eligible long day care teachers from December 2025.

Early childhood teacher salary: what the award says

When researching the early childhood teacher salary, the first place to look is the Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020 (MA000077), which covers teachers in long day care centres, preschools and schools. The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes the current pay guide, showing minimum weekly and annual rates that apply from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026. For a full-time early childhood teacher in a long day care centre, the minimum weekly rate at Level 1 is $1,513.60, equating to $78,979 per year. At Level 5 (Highly Accomplished/Lead Teacher), the rate reaches $2,094.30 per week or $109,279 annually. These rates are higher than those for teachers in preschools and schools because long day care centres typically operate longer hours and the award includes a 4% loading in lieu of certain ordinary hour provisions.

Legal minimum versus award rate

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a full-time adult employee not covered by an award. However, the early childhood teacher salary is almost always set by the Educational Services (Teachers) Award, which provides significantly higher minimums. The award rate is the legal floor for that classification. An enterprise agreement or individual contract can require a higher rate, but never lower. The Fair Work Commission sets the award rates; the Fair Work Ombudsman explains and enforces them.

Worker retention payment: a 15% boost

Since December 2025, the Australian Government’s worker retention payment (WRP) has added another layer. Providers that receive this funding must pass it on as a wage increase, bringing the minimum to 15% above the applicable award rate. For a Level 1 long day care teacher, the award hourly rate of $39.83 becomes $45.80. This applies to eligible workers in services that opt into the program. The Department of Education publishes minimum rate tables showing the new floor. If an employer already pays above the award, they still must pass on the additional 5% (the second-year increase) to all eligible staff.

How superannuation fits in

Superannuation guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings, paid on top of the salary. So the total employment cost for an early childhood teacher at the award minimum of $78,979 is actually $88,456 once super is included. This is important when comparing early childhood teacher salary figures: always check whether super is included or excluded. Award rates and the WRP rates are before super.

Survey averages and negotiated salaries

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reports average weekly earnings for all full-time adult employees at $2,083.70 (May 2026), but this is not specific to early childhood teachers. Many early childhood teachers are covered by enterprise agreements that set rates above the award, especially in community‑managed centres or state government preschools. These negotiated salaries can be 10–20% higher than the award minimum. Without a published median for the occupation, it is best to consult the Rate tables on this site for the latest award and WRP figures, and check your own workplace agreement or contract.

Take-home pay after tax and Medicare

Using the award minimum of $78,979 for a Level 1 long day care teacher, the weekly gross is $1,513.60. After withholding tax (using 2026‑27 rates with the full tax‑free threshold) and the 2% Medicare levy (once annualised ordinary gross exceeds $30,000), the weekly net pay is approximately $1,140. This is an estimate only; it excludes the low income tax offset, HELP repayments, salary sacrifice and the Medicare levy surcharge. Super is additional and not part of take-home pay.

Which minimum wage applies?

If you are an early childhood teacher in a long day care centre, the Educational Services (Teachers) Award almost certainly covers you. If you work in a preschool or school, the same award applies but with different rates. For award‑free employees (rare in this sector), the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour applies, but juniors, apprentices and trainees may receive less. See Which minimum wage applies for more detail.

How the figures work

The award weekly rates are calculated by dividing the annual salary by 52.18. Hourly rates are the weekly rate divided by 38 ordinary hours. The WRP rates are then 15% above the award hourly rate. All figures on this site are before tax and super. For a full explanation of methodology, visit How the figures work.

Summary

The early childhood teacher salary under the award ranges from $78,979 to $109,279 annually for full‑time work in long day care. With the worker retention payment, the effective minimum rises by 15%. Superannuation of 12% is paid on top. Enterprise agreements can set higher rates. Always verify your classification and any applicable WRP funding with your employer or the Fair Work Ombudsman.