Kindergarten Teacher Salary: Award Rates, Hourly Conversion, and Tax Guide

Understanding the kindergarten teacher salary under the award

A kindergarten teacher working in a kindergarten or preschool setting is typically covered by the Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020 [MA000077]**, as published by the Fair Work Ombudsman. This award sets minimum pay rates for teachers in preschools and schools, with classification levels from Level 1 (graduate) up to Level 5 (Highly Accomplished/Lead). The minimum weekly rate for a full-time teacher at Level 1 is $1,455.40 per week, or $75,941 per year. The hourly rate is $38.30 per hour (based on 38 ordinary hours per week.

For long day care centres (such as a children's or early childhood service that usually provides services over 8 hours each day for 48 weeks or more), the rates are 4% higher: Level 1 weekly $1,513.60, annual $78,979, hourly $39.85 per hour.

Converting a kindergarten teacher salary to annual and fortnightly pay

To convert an hourly rate to annual pay: **hourly × hours per week × 52. For full-time, we assume 38 hours per week. For example, a Level 1 teacher at $38.30 per hour: $38.30 × 38 × 52 = $75,941 per year. The fortnightly pay is weekly rate × 2: $1,455.40 × 2 = $2,910.80 per fortnight.

For part-time employees, pay is pro rata based on the full-time rate. For casual employees, the award sets a casual rate: for a full day, weekly rate divided by 5 plus 25% loading. The hourly casual rate for a full day at Level 1 is $38.30 × 1.25 = $47.88 per hour (but note the award says casual engaged less than 5 consecutive days no higher than Level 3).

Casual loading and superannuation

Casual loading is 25% on top of the base hourly rate for award/agreement-free employees, but for award-covered teachers, the casual rate is specified. The timesheet on this site allows you to add 25% casual loading to a base hourly rate. Superannuation is 12% of ordinary earnings, paid on top of the salary. For a $75,941 salary, super is about $9,113 per year, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830.

Tax and Medicare on your kindergarten teacher salary

Using the 2026–27 resident tax rates: nil to $18,200; 15% to $45,000; 30% to $135,000; 37% to $190,000; 45% above. Medicare levy is 2% (using 2025–26 single reduction thresholds). For a $75,941 salary, estimated tax: $0 on first $18,200, then 15% on $26,800 ($18,201 to $45,000) = $4,020, then 30% on $30,941 ($45,001 to $75,941) = $9,282, total tax $13,302, plus Medicare $1,518, total $14,702. After tax: $61,239.

For more details, see the hourly conversion and super and packaging guides.

Important notes

Annual pay is an estimate: same rate every week, no unpaid overtime, no penalty rates, no allowances, no salary sacrifice. Super is 12% of ordinary earnings only, paid on top, stops at $270,830. Tax is 2026–27 resident scale with full tax-free threshold. Medicare uses 2025–26 single reduction thresholds. HELP, Medicare levy surcharge, and salary packaging not deducted. This is an estimate, not a determination of your pay or tax.