What is the hourly rate for a PE teacher under the Educational Services (Teachers) Award?

The minimum hourly rate depends on the classification level. For a Level 1 teacher (graduate or provisional accreditation) in a preschool or school, the hourly rate is $38.30. Level 2 (proficient accreditation) is $41.86 per hour. These rates apply from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026. The full-time ordinary hours are 38 per week.

How is casual loading calculated for teachers?

Casual teachers receive a 25% loading on the daily rate. For a full day, the rate is the weekly rate divided by 5 plus 25%. For a half day, it's the weekly rate divided by 10 plus 25%. For example, a Level 1 casual teacher working a full day earns $363.85 (full day rate) which already includes the 25% loading. Casual teachers engaged for less than five consecutive days cannot be paid above Level 3.

How does superannuation affect a PE teacher's take-home pay?

Superannuation is paid on top of the base salary. Under the award, employers must contribute at least the super guarantee rate (12% from 1 July 2026) of ordinary earnings, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. This means a teacher's total employment cost is higher than their gross salary, but the super is not part of take-home pay until retirement.

PE Teacher Salary Guide: Award Rates, Casual Loading and Super Paid on Top

A full-time PE teacher at Level 1 earns $38.30 per hour, or $1,455.40 per week, equating to $75,941 annually based on 38 ordinary hours per week.

Understanding the PE Teacher Salary Under the Educational Services (Teachers) Award

If you are looking up a pe teacher salary, the most reliable source is the Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020, which covers teachers in preschools, schools, and long day care centres. The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes updated pay guides each year, and from 1 July 2026 award rates increased by 4.75%. This guide explains how to convert an hourly rate to annual pay, how casual loading works, and how superannuation is paid on top.

Full-Time Hours and the Annual Conversion

A full-time teacher under the award works an average of 38 ordinary hours per week. To estimate annual gross pay, use the formula:

hourly rate × hours per week × 52

For example, a Level 1 teacher (graduate or provisional accreditation) earns $38.30 per hour. Multiply by 38 hours and 52 weeks:

$38.30 × 38 × 52 = $75,941 per year

This matches the annual salary in the award table. The weekly rate is $1,455.40, so a fortnightly gross pay would be $2,910.80 (weekly × 2).

Higher classifications pay more. A Level 2 teacher (proficient accreditation) earns $41.86 per hour, or $1,590.70 per week, giving an annual salary of $83,004. Level 5 (Highly Accomplished/Lead Teacher) earns $55.11 per hour, or $2,013.70 per week, annual $105,076.

Casual Loading and How It Works

Casual teachers receive a 25% loading on the daily rate, not on the hourly rate. The award sets out specific daily rates for full days and half days. For a Level 1 casual teacher:

Full day: $363.85 (includes 25% loading)
Half day: $181.93

If you are a casual PE teacher, never enter a rate that already includes casual loading into a calculator. The loading is already built into the daily rates above. For a part-time or full-time teacher, the loading does not apply.

Casual teachers engaged for less than five consecutive days cannot be paid above Level 3 ($45.57 per hour). After five consecutive days, they are paid at their proper classification level.

Superannuation Paid on Top

Under the award, employers must make superannuation contributions to avoid the super guarantee charge. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee rate is 12% of ordinary earnings, paid on top of the gross salary. This means if a teacher's annual salary is $75,941, the employer contributes an additional $9,113 in super (12% of $75,941), up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830.

Super is not deducted from the teacher's pay; it is an extra cost for the employer. The teacher's take-home pay is the gross salary minus tax and Medicare levy. The super accumulates in a fund for retirement.

Comparing to the National Minimum Wage and Other Awards

The National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for 38 hours. A casual employee on the National Minimum Wage gets $33.05 per hour including 25% loading. Award rates for teachers are significantly higher, reflecting the professional qualifications required.

For a PE teacher working in a long day care centre (operating 48+ weeks per year), the rates are 4% higher than preschool/school rates. For example, a Level 1 teacher in long day care earns $39.83 per hour, or $1,513.60 per week.

Using Our Tools to Calculate Your Pay

Our pay guides page has links to the official Fair Work Ombudsman pay guides for the Educational Services (Teachers) Award. You can also use our hourly conversion tool to convert any hourly rate to annual, fortnightly, and weekly figures. If you are a casual teacher, see our casual loading page for more details on how the 25% loading applies.

Important Notes on Tax and Medicare

Tax is calculated using the 2026–27 resident tax rates: nil up to $18,200, 15% from $18,201 to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, 37% to $190,000, and 45% above that. The Medicare levy is generally 2% of taxable income. The estimates on this site assume the full tax-free threshold and use the 2025–26 single reduction thresholds for Medicare (as the 2026–27 thresholds were not confirmed). HELP repayments, the Medicare levy surcharge, and salary packaging are not deducted.

Summary

A pe teacher salary under the award starts at $38.30 per hour for a graduate teacher, rising to $55.11 per hour for a Highly Accomplished/Lead Teacher. Full-time annual pay ranges from $75,941 to $105,076. Casual teachers receive a 25% loading on daily rates, and superannuation of 12% is paid on top. Always check the official award or use our reference tables for the most current rates.