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

Under the Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020, a Level 1 graduate teacher in a preschool or school receives $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.

How does casual loading apply to private school teachers?

Casual teachers engaged for less than five consecutive days are paid no higher than Level 3 rate ($45.57/hr) plus 25% loading. For five or more consecutive days, the appropriate classification rate applies plus 25% loading. The casual loading is paid on top of the base hourly rate.

How is superannuation calculated on a private school teacher salary?

Superannuation is paid on top of the base salary at 12% of ordinary earnings, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year. For a Level 1 teacher earning $75,941 annually, super adds about $9,113. The super guarantee is an employer obligation and is not deducted from the quoted salary.

Private School Teacher Salary: Award Rates vs National Minimum Wage in 2026

A private school teacher at Level 1 under the Educational Services Award earns at least $38.30 per hour, or $1,455.40 per week for 38 hours, before tax and super.

Understanding the Private School Teacher Salary

When you search for a private school teacher salary, you are likely comparing offers from independent schools or early childhood services. In Australia, these salaries are often guided by the Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020, though some schools have enterprise agreements. This article explains how to convert an hourly rate to annual, fortnightly, and weekly figures, and how the award compares with the National Minimum Wage.

National Minimum Wage vs Award Rates

The National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for a 38‑hour week. A casual employee receives $33.05 per hour including the 25% casual loading. However, a private school teacher salary is almost always higher than the minimum because the Educational Services (Teachers) Award sets minimum rates well above that. For example, a Level 1 graduate teacher in a preschool or school must be paid at least $38.30 per hour, or $1,455.40 per week. More experienced teachers at Level 5 (Highly Accomplished/Lead Teacher) earn $52.99 per hour, or $2,013.70 per week.

How to Calculate Annual Pay from Hourly Rate

The standard formula is:

Annual gross pay ≈ hourly rate × hours per week × 52

For a full‑time teacher under the award, ordinary hours are 38 per week. So a Level 1 teacher earning $38.30 per hour would have an annual salary of:

$38.30 × 38 × 52 = $75,941 (rounded)

This matches the award’s minimum annual salary for Level 1 in preschools and schools. The award also specifies that the weekly rate is the annual rate divided by 52.18, but for quick estimates the ×52 method is widely used. The the timesheet on this site lets you enter your hourly rate and see the annual, fortnightly, and weekly equivalents instantly.

Fortnightly Pay and Tax Estimates

A fortnight is simply the weekly rate multiplied by two. For a Level 1 teacher, that is $1,455.40 × 2 = $2,910.80 before tax. Using the 2026–27 resident tax scale:

Nil tax on the first $18,200
15% on income between $18,201 and $45,000
30% on income between $45,001 and $135,000
37% on income between $135,001 and $190,000
45% on income above $190,000

Plus the Medicare levy of 2% (based on 2025–26 single reduction thresholds). For a $75,941 annual salary, the estimated tax plus Medicare is roughly $15,500, leaving a take‑home pay of about $60,400 per year, or $1,162 per week. These are estimates only; your actual tax depends on your circumstances. Use the take-home pay guide for more detail.

Superannuation and Casual Loading

Superannuation is paid on top of your base salary. The super guarantee is 12% of ordinary earnings, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year. For a Level 1 teacher earning $75,941, the employer contributes an extra $9,113 into your super fund. This is not deducted from your quoted salary.

If you work as a casual teacher, you receive a 25% loading on the base hourly rate. For a casual teacher at Level 1, the minimum casual rate is $38.30 × 1.25 = $47.88 per hour. However, the award states that casuals engaged for less than five consecutive days cannot be paid above the Level 3 rate ($45.57/hr) plus loading. For longer engagements, the full classification rate applies plus loading. The casual loading page explains this in more detail.

Using the Timesheet Tool

To quickly convert any hourly rate to annual, fortnightly, or weekly figures, use the timesheet. Simply enter your base hourly rate. If you are a casual employee, check the box to add 25% casual loading on top – never enter a rate that already includes loading. The tool uses the standard 38‑hour week and the 52‑week year. You can also explore pay guides for other awards and classifications.

Award vs Enterprise Agreements

Many private schools have enterprise agreements that may offer higher pay than the award. Always check your employment contract or agreement. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides pay guides and the Pay and Conditions Tool to help you determine your minimum entitlements. The award rates in this article are a baseline; actual private school teacher salary packages often exceed them, especially for experienced teachers or those in leadership roles.

Summary

National Minimum Wage: $26.44/hr, $1,004.90/week
Award Level 1 teacher: $38.30/hr, $1,455.40/week
Award Level 5 teacher: $52.99/hr, $2,013.70/week
Casual loading: add 25% on top of base rate
Super: 12% on ordinary earnings, paid on top
Tax: use 2026–27 resident rates plus Medicare levy

For a personalised estimate, use the timesheet and refer to the reference tables for award classifications.