How to Become a Teacher in NSW 2026: Pathways and Pay

On this page (5 sections)

The steps
Get paid to study: Teach.NSW scholarships
What your first year pays
Government, Catholic or independent?
FAQs

The short answer

To teach in NSW you need an accredited initial teacher education degree, NESA accreditation and a Working With Children Check. Teach.NSW scholarships pay up to $7,500 a year while you study plus a $6,000 appointment allowance and a guaranteed permanent job. Graduates start on $92,882 from 9 October 2026.

NSW pays one of the highest graduate salaries in the country: $92,882 at Step 1 from the first full pay period on or after 9 October 2026, rising to $133,422 at Step 7.

The route is the same whether you are a school leaver or changing careers: get a NESA-accredited teaching qualification, get accredited with NESA, get a Working With Children Check, then apply for jobs through Teach.NSW.

The steps

1

Choose an accredited degree

A 4-year Bachelor of Education, or a 2-year Master of Teaching if you already have a degree. Secondary teachers need enough study in each teaching subject. See teaching degrees in Australia.
2

Pass LANTITE

The national literacy and numeracy test is part of every initial teacher education course. Read LANTITE explained.
3

Complete professional experience

Supervised placements in schools. Eligible students can claim the Commonwealth Prac Payment of $338.60 a week in 2026.
4

Get NESA accreditation

Apply to NESA for Provisional or Conditional accreditation, then work towards Proficient. The annual fee is $100. See NSW teacher accreditation.
5

Get a Working With Children Check

Apply through Service NSW. It costs $112 for paid work from 1 July 2026 and lasts 5 years.
6

Apply for jobs

Apply for permanent roles and get on the casual and temporary lists through the DoE. Casual work pays $480.43 a day at CT1.

Get paid to study: Teach.NSW scholarships

NSW Department of Education study incentives

Program	What you get	Who it's for
Teacher Education Scholarship	Up to $7,500 a year while studying full-time, $6,000 appointment allowance, guaranteed permanent position	Secondary maths, science (including chemistry or physics), TAS, and inclusive or special education K-12
Teacher Education Scholarship (Aboriginal)	Same amounts as above	Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students studying teaching
teach.Rural Scholarship	Up to $50,000 in course fees, $7,500 a year, $500 a week rural prac allowance (up to $5,000), $6,000 appointment allowance, permanent rural or remote job	Students willing to teach in rural and remote NSW. Fee payments need a credit or above in each unit
Commonwealth Teaching Scholarship	$10,000 a year, up to $40,000 (undergraduate) or $20,000 (postgraduate)	National; you must later teach in government schools for a period matching your degree length

Scholarship payments are taxable. Teach.NSW scholarships usually carry a service commitment; check the current conditions on Teach.NSW before you apply.

What your first year pays

Worked example

Graduate teacher on Step 1 with a HECS-HELP debt

Salary from 9 Oct 2026: $92,882
Income tax and Medicare: $20,242
HECS-HELP repayment: $3,503
Employer super (12%, on top): $11,146

Take-home $69,137 a year ($2,659 a fortnight)

2026-27 rates. Without a HELP debt, take-home is $72,640. After a year (203 days) you move to Step 2, $99,889; Step 3 ($104,156) needs Proficient accreditation.

See the full NSW graduate teacher salary page and the first-year guide. Changing careers? Read career change to teaching and employment-based teaching pathways.

Government, Catholic or independent?

NSW Catholic systemic schools pay exactly the government rates under the NSW and ACT Catholic Systemic Schools Enterprise Agreement 2025, so the choice between them is about the school, not the salary. Independent schools set their own agreements and usually move pay in February; see NSW Catholic school teacher pay.

Frequently asked questions

How do I become a teacher in NSW?

Complete an accredited teaching degree, pass LANTITE, get NESA accreditation and a Working With Children Check, then apply through the NSW Department of Education or a Catholic or independent school.

What is the starting salary for NSW teachers?

$92,882 a year at Step 1 from the first full pay period on or after 9 October 2026. Step 2, after a year of service, pays $99,889.

Can I get paid to study teaching in NSW?

Yes. The Teacher Education Scholarship pays up to $7,500 a year plus a $6,000 appointment allowance for priority subjects, and teach.Rural also covers up to $50,000 in course fees.

How long does it take to become a teacher in NSW?

Usually 4 years for a Bachelor of Education, or 2 years for a Master of Teaching if you already hold a relevant degree.

Which subjects does NSW most need?

The Teacher Education Scholarship targets secondary maths, science including chemistry and physics, TAS, and inclusive or special education K-12, which shows where shortages are greatest.

Do I need a Working With Children Check to teach in NSW?

Yes. A paid WWCC costs $112 from 1 July 2026 through Service NSW and is valid for 5 years.

Sources we checked · last verified 16 October 2026

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