NSW Teacher Salary 2025 PDF: What the Weekly Packet Looks Like After Tax, Medicare, and Super
A graduate NSW public school teacher earns $90,177 per year ($1,734 per week), well above the national minimum wage of $1,004.90 per week, with 12% super paid on top.
NSW Teacher Salary 2025 PDF: Understanding the Weekly Packet
If you've been searching for an "nsw teacher salary 2025 pdf", you're likely looking for the official pay rates set by the NSW Department of Education or the relevant award. This guide breaks down what those figures mean for your weekly take-home pay, including tax, Medicare, and superannuation.
The Legal Minimum vs. the Award Rate
The national minimum wage is set by the Fair Work Commission and applies to award-free employees. From 1 July 2026, it is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week. However, most teachers are covered by either the NSW public school teaching award or the FFPPOA award for early childhood education centres. These awards set rates well above the national minimum.
For NSW public school teachers, the current award (as of October 2025) starts at $90,177 per year for a graduate. This is a negotiated award rate, not a survey average. The Fair Work Ombudsman explains that award rates are the legal minimum for that classification, and enterprise agreements can set higher rates.
What the Weekly Packet Looks Like
A graduate teacher earning $90,177 per year receives about $1,734 per week before tax. After applying the 2026-27 tax rates and the Medicare levy (estimated at 2% for incomes over $30,000), the approximate weekly take-home pay is around $1,310. This is a rough estimate and excludes the low income tax offset, HELP repayments, or salary sacrifice.
Superannuation is paid on top. The employer contributes 12% of ordinary time earnings, which for this teacher adds about $208 per week into super. That money is not accessible until retirement but grows over time.
How the Figures Compare
The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports that full-time adult ordinary-time earnings in May 2026 were $2,083.70 per week. A graduate teacher's $1,734 is below that average, but experienced teachers at $129,536 per year ($2,491 per week) exceed it. School leaders earn even more: assistant principals start at $149,059, and principals at $229,435.
For early childhood teachers covered by the FFPPOA award, rates are lower. From 2 December 2024, Level 1 starts at $72,847 per year, rising to Level 5 at $100,796. These rates increase on 1 July 2025 and again on 1 July 2026. Even the lowest of these is above the national minimum wage.
Casual and Part-Time Rates
Casual teachers in NSW public schools are paid a daily rate based on experience. A graduate casual teacher receives $466.44 per day (as of October 2025). This includes a 10% loading in lieu of leave entitlements. Part-time teachers are paid pro-rata based on the full-time rate.
Key Takeaways
- The "nsw teacher salary 2025 pdf" you find from official sources shows award rates, not averages. These are the legal minimums for that role.
- Always check whether you are covered by a modern award or an enterprise agreement, as these can set higher rates.
- Super is an employer payment on top of your salary. Don't confuse the base salary with total remuneration.
- Use Which minimum wage applies to see if you're in the national or state system, and How the figures work for more detail on calculations.
Sources
- NSW Department of Education salary page
- FFPPOA Award rates for ECEC teachers
- Fair Work Commission Annual Wage Review 2025 decision
For the published floors, see the rate tables and how the figures work.
Questions people ask next
What is the starting salary for a NSW public school teacher in 2025?
According to the NSW Department of Education, a graduate teacher starts at $90,177 per year. This is the award rate under the current teaching award, effective from 9 October 2025. The rate increases with experience up to $129,536 for an experienced teacher.
How does the NSW teacher salary compare to the national minimum wage?
The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week. A graduate teacher's annual salary of $90,177 works out to about $45.63 per hour (based on 38 hours per week, 52 weeks), which is well above the minimum. Even the lowest award rate for early childhood teachers under the FFPPOA award is $72,847 per year, still above the national minimum.
Is superannuation included in the NSW teacher salary figures?
No. The salary figures published by the NSW Department of Education are base salaries. The superannuation guarantee of 12% is paid on top by the employer. For a graduate teacher on $90,177, the employer would contribute an additional $10,821 per year into super.
Related guides
- Teacher Salary Vic: Award Rates and Minimum Pay for Teachers in Victoria
The minimum teacher salary in Victoria is set by the Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020, with Level 1 graduate teachers earning at least $75,941 per year (preschools/schools) or $78,979 (long day care) from 1 July 2026.
- Teacher Salary in Australia: Award Rates and the Legal Minimum
The minimum teacher salary under the Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020 is $38.30 per hour for a Level 1 graduate teacher, or $75,941 per year, plus 12% superannuation.
- NSW teacher salary: award minimums, public school pay, and casual rates
The legal minimum for a full-time teacher in NSW under the Educational Services (Teachers) Award ranges from $75,941 (Level 1) to $105,076 (Level 5) annually, but NSW public school teachers are paid above award, with graduates starting at $90,177 and experienced teachers up to $129,536.
- Primary school teacher salary: award minimums and market rates
The legal minimum for a primary school teacher under the Educational Services (Teachers) Award is $75,941 per year (Level 1), while the median full-time earnings are $115,752 per year according to ABS data.