Public school teacher pay in Australia isn't just years-of-service based — most states also layer in AITSL-aligned accreditation levels (Proficient, Highly Accomplished, and Lead Teacher), meaning two teachers with identical years of experience can sit on different pay points depending on whether they've pursued formal accreditation beyond the base Proficient level.
Graduate teachers typically start around $75,000–$80,000 on the base public school pay scale. Experienced classroom teachers who've reached the top of the standard scale commonly earn $90,000–$100,000. Highly Accomplished and Lead Teacher accreditation, or a move into leadership as Head of Department, can push pay to $105,000–$130,000, and Deputy Principal and Principal roles at larger schools frequently exceed that further.
Estimate uses 2025–26 resident marginal tax rates and excludes the Low Income Tax Offset and other offsets, which would reduce the tax payable slightly for most incomes in this range. Use the free calculator for a figure that accounts for offsets.
Most teachers begin as a Graduate Teacher, reach Proficient accreditation within their first few years, and then either pursue Highly Accomplished/Lead Teacher status to progress along the classroom teaching scale, or move into leadership via Head of Department, Deputy Principal, and eventually Principal — a track that shifts the role from classroom instruction to school-wide management.
It varies — public school pay follows standardised state award scales, while independent and Catholic school pay is set more individually per school; some well-resourced independent schools pay above public sector rates, particularly for experienced and leadership staff, though this isn't universal.
Beyond standard years-of-service increments, most Australian states use AITSL-aligned accreditation levels, where achieving Highly Accomplished or Lead status through a formal certification process can unlock higher pay bands.
Some state education departments offer incentive payments or accelerated placement for teachers qualified in shortage subjects like mathematics, physics, and technology, though the specifics vary by state and change periodically based on workforce needs.