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

Under the Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020, a full-time primary teacher at Level 1 (graduate teacher) earns $38.30 per hour, or $1,455.40 per week for 38 hours. Higher levels apply with experience and accreditation, up to Level 5 at $52.99 per hour. These are minimum rates; actual pay may be higher.

How does casual loading apply to a primary teacher salary?

Casual teachers receive a 25% loading on top of the minimum hourly rate. For a Level 1 teacher, the casual rate is $47.88 per hour ($38.30 × 1.25). However, if engaged for fewer than five consecutive days, the rate is capped at Level 3 ($45.57 per hour base, $56.96 with loading). The loading compensates for lack of paid leave.

How does superannuation affect the total pay for a primary teacher?

Superannuation is paid on top of the base salary at 12% of ordinary earnings (from 1 July 2026). For a Level 1 teacher earning $1,455.40 per week, the employer contributes an additional $174.65 per week to super, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year. Super is not part of take-home pay but is a key component of total remuneration.

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

A full-time primary teacher at Level 1 under the Educational Services Award earns $1,455.40 per week ($38.30 per hour) based on 38 ordinary hours, with super paid on top.

Understanding the Primary Teacher Salary

If you're looking up a primary teacher salary, you're likely comparing hourly rates, annual packages, or award minimums. This guide explains how to convert an hourly rate to annual pay, what the Fair Work Ombudsman's award says, and how casual loading and superannuation change the numbers.

How to Convert Hourly to Annual Pay

The standard formula is: hourly rate × hours per week × 52 weeks. For most full-time employees under awards, ordinary hours are 38 per week. So a teacher earning $38.30 per hour would have an annual salary of $38.30 × 38 × 52 = $75,680.80. This matches the award's annual rate of $75,941 (the slight difference comes from using 52.18 weeks in the award calculation).

When you use our hourly conversion tool, we assume 38 hours per week unless you specify otherwise. The result is a gross annual figure before tax and super. For a fortnightly comparison, multiply the weekly rate by 2: $1,455.40 per week becomes $2,910.80 per fortnight.

Award Rates for Primary Teachers

The Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020 sets minimum pay for teachers in preschools and schools. The Fair Work Commission updates these rates each July. From 1 July 2026, the rates are:

Level 1 (graduate teacher): $1,455.40/week, $38.30/hour
Level 2 (proficient accreditation): $1,590.70/week, $41.86/hour
Level 3 (3 years at Level 2): $1,731.70/week, $45.57/hour
Level 4 (3 years at Level 3): $1,872.70/week, $49.28/hour
Level 5 (Highly Accomplished/Lead Teacher): $2,013.70/week, $52.99/hour

These are the minimums. Many teachers earn above award rates, especially in independent schools or with additional responsibilities. For comparison, the Australian Bureau of Statistics reports median full-time earnings for primary school teachers at $2,226 per week (May 2025), which is higher than Level 5. But award rates are the legal minimum.

Casual Loading and Super Paid on Top

Casual teachers receive a 25% loading on the base hourly rate to compensate for unpaid leave. For a Level 1 teacher, the casual rate is $38.30 × 1.25 = $47.88 per hour. However, if the engagement is fewer than five consecutive days, the rate is capped at Level 3 ($45.57 base, $56.96 with loading). Our casual loading page explains this further.

Superannuation is paid on top of the base salary. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of ordinary earnings. For a full-time Level 1 teacher earning $1,455.40 per week, the employer contributes an additional $174.65 to super each week. This is not deducted from your pay; it's an extra cost to the employer. Super stops once earnings exceed $270,830 per year (the maximum contribution base).

Tax and Take-Home Pay

Your take-home pay depends on 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% on income above $190,000

Plus the Medicare levy of 2% (with reductions for low-income earners). For a Level 1 teacher earning $75,941 annually, the tax would be roughly $12,000 plus Medicare, leaving about $62,000 take-home. Use our take-home pay estimator for a precise calculation.

Fortnightly Pay and Budgeting

Most teachers are paid fortnightly. Multiply the weekly rate by 2: Level 1 = $2,910.80 per fortnight before tax. After tax and Medicare, a single teacher might receive around $2,380 per fortnight. This helps with budgeting for rent, bills, and savings.

Comparing with Other Pay Points

The National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for 38 hours. A primary teacher's minimum is well above that. The ABS Average Weekly Earnings for full-time adult ordinary time is $2,083.70 per week (May 2026). Teacher award rates sit below that average at entry level but can exceed it at higher levels.

For more detailed pay guides, see our pay guides and reference tables. If you're unsure about your classification, check the job pay page for industry-specific advice.

Important Disclaimer

This estimate uses the formula hourly rate × hours per week × 52, assumes 38 hours per week, and no unpaid overtime, no penalty rates, no allowances, and no salary sacrifice. Super is estimated at 12% of ordinary earnings only, paid on top, and stops at the $270,830 maximum contribution base. Tax uses the 2026–27 resident scale with full tax-free threshold. Medicare uses the 2025–26 single reduction thresholds because the 2026–27 reduction thresholds were not confirmed here. HELP, the Medicare levy surcharge, and salary packaging are not deducted. This is an estimate, not a determination of your pay or tax.

Summary

A **primary teacher salary is more than just the hourly rate. Understanding the award rates, casual loading, and super paid on top gives you the full picture. Use our [hourly conversion tool to estimate annual and fortnightly figures, then adjust for your specific situation.