Private school teacher salary: award minimums and what they mean

Private school teacher salary: award coverage and the legal floor

When researching a private school teacher salary in Australia, the first thing to understand is which pay floor applies. Most private school teachers are covered by the Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020, a modern award made by the Fair Work Commission. This award sets minimum rates for teachers in preschools, schools, and long day care centres. However, many private schools also have enterprise agreements that override the award with higher pay. This guide separates the legal minimum from negotiated rates and explains how the award works.

The legal minimum: the Educational Services (Teachers) Award

The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes the full award and a pay guide. Under the award, a teacher’s classification depends on accreditation level and years of service. The five levels are:

• Level 1: Graduate teacher or those with provisional/conditional registration.
• Level 2: Teacher with proficient accreditation.
• Level 3: Proficient teacher after 3 years at Level 2.
• Level 4: Proficient teacher after 3 years at Level 3.
• Level 5: Highly Accomplished or Lead Teacher accreditation.

For preschools and schools, the minimum annual salaries from 1 July 2026 are:

• Level 1: $75,941
• Level 2: $83,004
• Level 3: $90,362
• Level 4: $97,720
• Level 5: $105,076

These are full-time rates for a 38‑hour ordinary week. Part‑time teachers are paid pro rata. Casual teachers receive a 25% loading on the daily rate, but if engaged for less than five consecutive days they cannot be paid above Level 3.

Teachers in long day care centres get an extra 4% because they are not covered by the award’s ordinary hours clause. For example, a Level 1 teacher in long day care earns a minimum of $78,979 annually.

Enterprise agreements and above‑award pay

A modern award is only a safety net. Many private schools have enterprise agreements that set higher salaries. For instance, the Independent Schools (Teachers) Cooperative Multi‑Enterprise Agreement 2025 (2) was approved by the Fair Work Commission and applies to certain independent schools. Such agreements can provide pay scales above the award, often with additional allowances or conditions.

If a school is covered by an enterprise agreement, the agreement’s rates replace the award rates. The award still applies as a backstop for any matter not covered by the agreement. Teachers should check their employment contract or enterprise agreement to see their actual salary.

How superannuation fits

All salary figures mentioned are base pay. Employers must pay the superannuation guarantee on top. From 1 July 2026, the rate is 12% of ordinary time earnings. For a teacher on the Level 1 minimum of $75,941, the employer adds $9,112.92 in super, making total remuneration $85,053.92. Super is not part of the salary; it is an additional payment into a super fund.

Comparing to the national minimum wage and award‑free rates

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for adults. The award minimum for a Level 1 teacher works out to about $38.30 per hour, well above the national minimum. Award‑free employees (those not covered by any award or agreement) must receive at least the national minimum, but private school teachers are almost always covered by the award or an enterprise agreement.

For award‑free junior employees, lower percentages apply, but teachers are rarely juniors in this context. The award itself does not have junior rates for teachers; it uses classification levels based on accreditation.

What about public school teachers?

Public school teachers are generally covered by state‑based awards or agreements, not the federal Educational Services Award. Their pay scales differ and are set by state industrial tribunals. Comparing private and public school salaries requires looking at the specific state system. The ABS does not publish a separate “private school teacher salary” average, so any comparison should rely on published state award rates.

Key takeaways

• The legal minimum for a private school teacher under the award is $75,941 (Level 1) to $105,076 (Level 5) per year, plus 12% super.
• Enterprise agreements can set higher rates; always check your contract or agreement.
• The award rates are significantly above the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour.
• Super is paid on top of salary, not included in the quoted figures.

For more details on how minimum wages apply across different industries, see our Which minimum wage applies guide. You can also explore Rate tables for award and national minimum comparisons.

Frequently asked questions

Q: What is the minimum salary for a private school teacher in Australia? A: Under the Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020, the minimum annual salary for a full-time teacher in a preschool or school ranges from $75,941 at Level 1 (graduate) to $105,076 at Level 5 (highly accomplished/lead teacher). These rates apply from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026. Many private schools pay above these minimums through enterprise agreements or individual contracts.

Q: Do private school teachers get paid more than public school teachers? A: Public school teachers are generally covered by state government awards or enterprise agreements, which often set different pay scales. Private school teachers may earn more or less depending on the school's funding, location, and any enterprise agreement. The award minimums for private schools are set by the Fair Work Commission, but actual salaries can vary widely. There is no single national average for private school teacher pay published by the ABS that separates private from public.

Q: Is superannuation included in the salary figure? A: No. The salary figures in the award are base pay. Employers must also pay the superannuation guarantee, currently 12% of ordinary time earnings, on top of the salary. For example, a Level 1 teacher on $75,941 would receive an additional $9,112.92 in super contributions, making total employment cost $85,053.92.

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