What is the minimum hourly rate for a primary school teacher under the award?

Under the Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020, a full-time primary school teacher at Level 1 (graduate or provisional registration) earns a minimum hourly rate of $38.30. This is based on a 38-hour week and an annual salary of $75,941. Higher levels apply for proficient and lead teachers.

How is casual loading applied for primary school teachers?

Casual teachers engaged for less than five consecutive days receive no more than the Level 3 rate, plus a 25% loading. For a full day, the pay is the weekly rate divided by 5, plus 25%. For example, a Level 1 casual full-day rate is $363.85, which includes the loading.

What is the fortnightly pay for a Level 1 primary school teacher?

A full-time Level 1 teacher paid fortnightly would receive $2,910.80 before tax (weekly rate of $1,455.40 multiplied by 2). The award allows fortnightly, monthly, or four-weekly pay cycles.

Primary School Teacher Salary: Award Rates, Hourly to Annual Conversion, and Take-Home Pay

A full-time primary school teacher at Award Level 1 earns at least $38.30 per hour, or $1,455.40 per week for a 38-hour week, translating to $75,941 annually before tax and super.

Primary School Teacher Salary: Understanding Award Rates and Annual Pay

If you are a primary school teacher or considering the profession, knowing your minimum pay entitlements is essential. The primary school teacher salary is governed by the Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020, which sets minimum rates for full-time, part-time, and casual teachers. This article explains how to convert your hourly rate to annual, fortnightly, and weekly figures, and what to expect for tax and superannuation.

The Award Minimum Rates for Primary School Teachers

Under the award, a full-time teacher works an average of 38 ordinary hours per week. The minimum weekly and annual salaries for teachers in preschools and schools are structured across five levels:

Level 1 (graduate teacher): $1,455.40 per week, $75,941 per year
Level 2 (proficient accreditation): $1,590.70 per week, $83,004 per year
Level 3 (after 3 years at Level 2): $1,731.70 per week, $90,362 per year
Level 4 (after 3 years at Level 3): $1,872.70 per week, $97,720 per year
Level 5 (highly accomplished/lead teacher): $2,013.70 per week, $105,076 per year

These rates are the legal minimum. Many teachers earn above award, especially in independent schools or with additional responsibilities. The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports a median full-time weekly earnings of $2,226 for primary school teachers, but award rates remain the baseline.

Converting Hourly to Annual: The 38-Hour Week

To convert an hourly rate to an annual salary, use the formula:

Annual gross ≈ hourly rate × hours per week × 52

For a primary school teacher at Level 1: $38.30 × 38 × 52 = $75,941 (the award annual rate). This assumes you work every week of the year with no unpaid leave or overtime. The award calculates annual salary by dividing the weekly rate by 52.18, but for quick estimates, 52 weeks is standard.

If you are paid fortnightly, simply multiply your weekly rate by 2. For Level 1, that is $2,910.80 before tax. Fortnightly pay is common in schools and helps with budgeting.

Casual and Part-Time Teacher Pay

Casual teachers receive a 25% loading on top of the base rate. For a full day, the rate is the weekly rate divided by 5, plus 25%. For Level 1, that is $363.85 per full day. Casual teachers engaged for less than five consecutive days cannot be paid above Level 3. Part-time teachers are paid pro-rata based on their agreed hours, at the same hourly rate as full-time teachers.

Tax and Superannuation on Your Teacher Salary

Your take-home pay depends on tax and the Medicare levy. Using the 2026–27 resident tax rates:

Nil tax on the first $18,200
15% on income from $18,201 to $45,000
30% on income from $45,001 to $135,000
37% on income from $135,001 to $190,000
45% above $190,000

Plus a 2% Medicare levy (based on 2025–26 single reduction thresholds). For a Level 1 teacher earning $75,941, the estimated tax is about $13,867 plus Medicare $1,519, leaving a take-home of roughly $60,555 per year.

Superannuation is paid on top of your salary. The super guarantee is 12% of your ordinary time earnings, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. For a Level 1 teacher, the employer contributes an extra $9,113 per year into your super fund.

Using Our Tools to Estimate Your Pay

Our hourly conversion tool lets you enter your base hourly rate and see annual, fortnightly, and weekly figures. If you are a casual teacher, check the casual loading box to add 25% on top of the base rate. Remember, the calculator assumes a consistent 38-hour week and does not include overtime, penalties, or salary sacrifice.

For a detailed breakdown of your take-home pay after tax and Medicare, visit our take-home pay page. You can also explore super and packaging to understand how super contributions affect your total remuneration.

Key Takeaways

The minimum primary school teacher salary under the award is $75,941 for Level 1, based on 38 hours per week.
Hourly rates range from $38.30 (Level 1) to $52.99 (Level 5).
Fortnightly pay is weekly rate × 2.
Casual teachers get a 25% loading.
Tax and Medicare reduce gross pay; super is additional.

Always refer to the Fair Work Ombudsman for the latest award rates and your employment contract for your specific classification.