Average teacher salaries across Australia: state-by-state guide
Are you passionate about shaping young minds and making a real difference?
And – do you want to know how much you could earn while doing it?
Teaching is not only one of the most rewarding careers, but it’s also in high demand across Australia. Primary and secondary teachers rank among the top occupations facing persistent shortages nationwide, with a growth of 4.5% in education jobs in Australia in the past year alone.
If your dream career is in early childhood education, the future is yours for the taking: with a projected growth in jobs of 9% by 2034.
And in good news, wages for all teachers are increasing – seeing 4.4% annual growth in 2024.
Teaching: stats at a glance | |
|---|---|
| Average national salary | $99,000 (primary and secondary school teacher) / $87,000 (early childhood teacher) |
| In shortage? | Yes, at both national and state (Vic) level |
| Growth in workforce | Last year: +51,900 jobs (+4.5% growth) Last 5 years: +163,400 jobs (+15.8% growth) |
| Growth in wages in education sector | Last quarter: +1.1% increase Last year: +4.4% increase |
| * Sources: Wage Price Index report 2024 (ABS), Occupation Shortage List 2024 and Labour Market Update 2024 (Jobs & Skills Australia) | |
As the sector rapidly expands, you might now be planning how you can be a part of it all – and provide yourself with job security and a rewarding career.
At Victoria University (VU), you can join this thriving field through flexible, innovative teaching courses like our Bachelor of Education (P-12) – one of only a handful of education courses in Australia that allows you to teach across primary and secondary.
Or, start with a free TAFE certificate or diploma to kick start your early childhood education career, strengthening your skills with a bachelor course.
Whether you're aiming to become an early childhood, primary, or secondary teacher, VU offers the practical skills to do so.
But if the question front of mind is "but how much money can I earn?" then we've got the goods for you right here: keep reading for a rundown of teacher salaries in Australia.
State-by-state teacher salaries in Australia
How much are teachers paid in New South Wales (NSW)?
In NSW, teacher salaries vary depending on the role and level of experience:
- School teachers: Primary and secondary school teachers in NSW earn between $75,000 and $122,000 annually, depending on their experience and qualifications.
- Early childhood teachers: Early childhood teachers in NSW see a starting salary of around $85,000 on average.
Source: NSW Department of Education, Seek
How much are teachers paid in Victoria (VIC)?
In Victoria, teacher salaries are designed to support the growth and retention of qualified educators – and also vary across type of teacher:
- School teachers: Primary and secondary school teachers in Victoria earn between $73,499 and $111,221 annually. Entry-level teachers start near the lower end, while experienced educators, those in leadership roles or with specialised subject expertise can earn on the upper end of the scale.
- Early childhood teachers: Early childhood teachers in Victoria earn between $70,000 and $90,000 annually. These salaries reflect the state's focus on strengthening early childhood education through competitive pay scales.
Sources: Victorian Government Schools Agreement 2022, Department of Education and Training Victoria, Seek
How much are teachers paid in Queensland (QLD)?
Queensland offers competitive teacher salaries for all roles, with opportunities for allowances in remote areas:
- School teachers: Primary and secondary school teachers in Queensland earn between $84,078 and $111,610 annually, with pay increases based on classification and years of experience.
- Early childhood teachers: Early childhood teachers earn between $85,000 and $100,000 annually, reflecting the government’s continued support for early education.
Sources: Queensland Government – Early Childhood and Care, Teach Queensland, Queensland Department of Education, Seek
How much are teachers paid in Western Australia (WA)?
Western Australia offers some of the highest salaries for teachers across all categories:
- School teachers: Primary and secondary school teachers in WA earn between $85,610 and $128,697 annually, with location incentives available for remote schools.
- Early childhood teachers: Early childhood teachers earn between $80,000 and $95,000 annually, with salaries reflecting WA’s commitment to early education.
Source: WA Department of Education, Seek
How much are teachers paid in South Australia (SA)?
South Australia provides consistent pay scales for teachers across different levels:
- School teachers: Primary and secondary school teachers in SA earn between $80,093 and $120,462 annually, depending on their experience.
- Early childhood teachers: Early childhood teachers in SA earn salaries ranging from $85,000 to $95,000 annually, reflecting their crucial role in early education.
Source: SA Department for Education, Seek
How much are teachers paid in Tasmania (TAS)?
Tasmania offers competitive salaries to attract teachers to the island:
- School teachers: Primary and secondary school teachers in Tasmania earn between $74,783 and $115,857 annually. Salaries increase based on experience and qualifications.
- Early childhood teachers: Early childhood teachers in Tasmania earn between $75,000 and $95,000 annually.
Source: Tasmanian Department of Education, Seek
How much are teachers paid in the Northern Territory (NT)?
In the Northern Territory, teacher salaries are designed to support educators in remote and diverse settings:
- School teachers: Primary and secondary school teachers in NT earn between $92,215 and $131,349 annually –with the higher pay scale reflecting educator incentives for those in remote areas .
- Early childhood teachers: Early childhood teachers in NT can expect so see between $80,000 to $100,000 – ie, above the national average.
- Source: NT Department of Education, Seek
Salary table
| Location | School teacher average salary | Early childhood teacher average salary |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | $75k—$122k | $80k—$90k |
| VIC | $74k—$111k | $70k—$90k |
| QLD | $84k—$111k | $85k—$100k |
| WA | $85k—$125k | $80k—$95k |
| SA | $80k—$120k | $85k—$95k |
| TAS | $74k—$115k | $74k—$95k |
| NT | $92k—$131k | $80—100k |
Allowing you to shape the future for young people, a teaching course at VU will give you the tools to dive into one of Australia’s most essential professions.
We offer practical, hands-on learning experiences through extensive teaching placements and professional practice – all supported by leading facilities and our innovative VU Block Model.
Our teaching courses are designed to prepare you for real-world classrooms, equipping you with the skills and confidence to succeed. Ranked #1 in Victoria for teaching quality and skills development (QILT Student Experience Survey, 2023) there's a reason employers value VU graduates so highly!
So – where can it all begin for you? How about:
- Our Bachelor of Education (P-12) course? Earn a highly-regarded teaching degree that qualifies you to teach at both primary and secondary levels – one of only a few in Australia. Gain practical experience through 80 days of professional placement.
- How about starting your journey with Free TAFE? Our Certificate IIII in Early Childhood Education and Care CHC30121 will equip you with job-ready skills – thanks to learning in early-childhood practical rooms, and via two practical work placements in industry.
- Start your journey toward becoming a teacher or work in educational support roles with our Diploma of Education Studies: Get hands-on learning as well as pathways to the Bachelor of Education (P-12) or Bachelor of Early Childhood Education.
- Postgraduate education courses: Take the next step in your teaching career with VU’s postgraduate courses, designed for educators aiming to enhance their knowledge and credentials. Our postgraduate degrees are flexible and 100% online.
Begin your journey as an educator – and shape the next generation with VU.
Explore our education courses now