Salary of a teacher
The NSW Department of Education offers competitive salaries for teachers. Learn more about the teaching award and salaries for teachers in NSW public schools.
On 9 September 2023, the NSW Government secured a historic pay rise for over 95,000 teachers working in NSW public schools.
A new 7-step scale makes NSW public school teachers the highest paid in the nation at the entry/graduate and top bands. A new graduate can earn a salary package of $95,490 straight out of university, rising to $145,985 annually for an experienced teacher.
Comparison of graduate earnings
Below is a comparison table of first-year earnings by graduate sector*
| Teaching | Accounting | Engineering | Marketing | Law | Psychology |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $95,490 | $61,050 | $66,600 | $77,700 | $77,700 | $83,250 |
*Typical starting salary packages of bachelor degree graduates in full-time employment, by field of education and sector of employment, 2023/2024. Base salary taken from Hays Australia and New Zealand Salary Guide.
Other financial benefits
Teachers in high-demand rural and remote NSW public schools receive additional financial benefits such as relocation subsidies and generous rental subsidies. Use our benefits calculator to find out which benefits apply for teachers employed at specific schools.
Salary packaging is also available to eligible NSW public school teachers, allowing them to maximise their disposable income by receiving part of their pre-tax pay in the form of benefits rather than receiving it all in salary. Benefits may include motor vehicles, computers, mobile phones and superannuation payments. Find out more about salary packaging and other financial benefits.
Career progression
As well as offering the opportunity to make a difference and help shape the lives of young people, teaching is a career that offers continuous progression and promotion opportunities.
Teachers with the NSW Department of Education have the opportunity to take on various responsibilities, develop higher level leadership skills and apply for a number of school leadership and high level school management positions such as deputy principal, principal and executive principal roles. The salary packages of NSW public school leaders reflect an increased level of responsibility.
| Assistant Principal or Head Teacher |
Deputy Principal | Principal | Executive Principal |
|---|---|---|---|
| $157,842 | $184,257 | $242,221 | $259,541 |
Additional salary information can be found on the staff awards and conditions webpage.
Casual teaching rates
Casual teachers with a graduate-level of accreditation are paid a minimum daily rate of $439.66 (current as of 9 October 2023). The casual teacher daily rate will be determined and increased based on the teacher's experience. Find out more about casual teaching in NSW public schools.
| Scale* | Rate (daily) |
|---|---|
| Casual Teacher 1 | $439.66 |
| Casual Teacher 2 | $493.02 |
| Casual Teacher 3 | $548.95 |
* Salary progression to reflect current accreditation requirements.
For further information about the awards and determinations, visit the salary and awards webpage.