Teachers Aide Salary Guide: Award Rates, Tax, and Super in Australia
A full-time teachers aide at the minimum award level earns $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for 38 hours, before tax and super.
Understanding the Teachers Aide Salary
A teachers aide (also called an education assistant or teacher assistant) supports classroom teachers in schools and early childhood services. Your pay is most likely covered by the Educational Services (Schools) General Staff Award 2020, which sets minimum wages for non-teaching staff. This guide explains how to convert your hourly rate to annual, fortnightly, and weekly figures, and what tax and super you can expect.
How to Calculate Annual Pay from an Hourly Rate
The standard formula for annual gross pay is:
Hourly rate × hours per week × 52
We assume a full-time employee works 38 ordinary hours per week, as defined in the award. For example, a teachers aide at the minimum award level (Level 1.1) earns $26.44 per hour. Their annual pay is:
$26.44 × 38 × 52 = $52,269.44
If you work part-time, adjust the hours accordingly. The same formula applies: multiply your hourly rate by your actual weekly hours, then by 52. For a casual employee, use the casual rate (including the 25% loading) and the same hours assumption.
Award Rates for Teachers Aides
The Schools General Staff Award has multiple classification levels. The most common entry point for a teachers aide is Level 1 or Level 2. Here are the minimum weekly and hourly rates from the Fair Work Ombudsman pay guide (effective from 1 July 2026):
| Classification | Weekly rate (38 hours) | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1.1 | $1,004.90 | $26.44 |
| Level 1.2 | $1,029.10 | $27.08 |
| Level 2.1 | $1,073.10 | $28.24 |
| Level 2.2 | $1,106.20 | $29.11 |
Higher levels (3–8) apply to more experienced or specialised roles. Your actual pay may be above the minimum if your employer offers a higher rate or if an enterprise agreement applies.
Casual Loading
Casual teachers aides receive a 25% loading on the minimum hourly rate. For Level 1.1, the casual rate is $33.05 per hour. This loading is paid instead of entitlements like annual leave, sick leave, and public holiday pay. When using the casual loading tool, do not add the loading yourself; the checkbox applies it automatically.
Fortnightly Pay
Most teachers aides are paid fortnightly. To find your gross fortnightly pay, multiply your weekly rate by 2. For a Level 1.1 full-time employee:
$1,004.90 × 2 = $2,009.80 per fortnight
This is before tax and any deductions. If you are paid monthly, divide your annual salary by 12.
Tax on Your Teachers Aide Salary
Australia uses a progressive tax system. For the 2026–27 financial year, the resident tax rates are:
- $0 – $18,200: Nil
- $18,201 – $45,000: 15% for each dollar over $18,200
- $45,001 – $135,000: 30% for each dollar over $45,000
- $135,001 – $190,000: 37% for each dollar over $135,000
- $190,001 and over: 45% for each dollar over $190,000
Plus a Medicare levy of 2% (with possible reductions for low-income earners). The tax-free threshold means you pay no tax on the first $18,200. For a teachers aide earning $52,269 per year, the estimated tax (including Medicare) would be around $7,800, leaving a take-home pay of about $44,500. Use the take-home pay calculator for a personalised estimate.
Superannuation (Super)
Your employer must pay Super Guarantee contributions of 12% of your ordinary time earnings, on top of your salary. This is not deducted from your pay. The contributions are capped at the maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year (2026–27). For a full-time teachers aide earning $1,004.90 per week, the super contribution is:
$1,004.90 × 12% = $120.59 per week
Over a year, that adds about $6,270 to your retirement savings. See super and packaging for more details.
Comparing to Other Roles
The National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, which is the same as the Level 1.1 teachers aide rate. However, many teachers aides progress to higher levels. The ABS Average Weekly Earnings (May 2026) for full-time adult ordinary time earnings is $2,083.70 per week, which is well above the award minimum. Teachers aide salaries are typically below this average, reflecting the support role.
Important Notes
- The calculations here assume you work the same hours every week with no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, or allowances.
- If you work in a long day care centre, different rates may apply under the Teachers Award – but that award is for qualified teachers, not aides.
- Always check your actual pay against the award or your enterprise agreement. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides a pay guide and a reference table for all awards.
Summary
A teachers aide salary starts at $26.44 per hour (or $33.05 casual) under the Schools General Staff Award. Annual gross pay for a full-time employee is about $52,269. After tax and Medicare, take-home pay is roughly $44,500, plus super of around $6,270 paid on top. Use the hourly conversion tool to calculate your own figures, and remember that award rates are minimums – you may earn more.
Open the same rate on the home timesheet. Read the reference tables before treating a figure as your pay.