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Choosing a state

The best state to teach in Australia in 2026: pay, incentives and how your experience counts

Which Australian state is best for teachers in 2026? Graduate and top pay in all 8 states, take-home, incentives and how each counts overseas experience.

✓ Fact-checked against official sources Updated 16 October 2026 8 min read
On this page (8 sections)
  1. Teacher pay in every state, October 2026
  2. What that means in your bank account
  3. How each state credits overseas experience
  4. Incentives that change the maths
  5. Workload, super and leave differences
  6. Which state suits which teacher
  7. A simple way to decide
  8. FAQs

The short answer

On pay alone, the Northern Territory is the best-paid place to teach in Australia in 2026: $96,180 to $136,997 from January 2026, rising to $142,888 in January 2027. NSW is close behind at $92,882 to $133,422 from October 2026, with the biggest job market. Victoria matches NSW once its new agreement is approved. The best state for you also depends on how your experience is credited.

  • Highest top classroom step today: NT $136,997, then NSW $133,422.
  • Biggest jump coming: Victoria, to $92,882 to $133,456 with back pay once the FWC approves.
  • Best super: ACT, 12.5% plus 1% if you contribute 3%.
  • Victoria explicitly credits equivalent international experience, one step per year.

Teacher pay in every state, October 2026

Government school classroom teachers, full-time annual salary (rates in force on 16 October 2026 unless noted)
StateGraduateTop classroom stepRate dateWhat's next
NT$96,180 (CT1)$136,997 (CT9)Jan 2026+4.3% Jan 2027: $100,316 to $142,888
NSW$92,882 (Step 1)$133,422 (Step 7)9 Oct 2026No rise scheduled; award ends 8 Oct 2027
ACT$91,396 (TL1)$129,106 (TL8)4 Dec 2025In dispute; teachers rejected a 9% offer in Sep 2026
QLD$90,164 (Band 2 Step 1)$119,357 (Band 3 Step 4)1 Sep 2026Arbitration pending; Senior Teacher $124,601, EST $127,549
WA$88,178 (Level 2.1)$127,737 (Level 2.9)6 Dec 2025Agreement expires 5 Dec 2026, no offer yet; Level 3 teachers $137,567 to $147,077
TAS$85,313 (Level 5, usual start)$122,393 (Level 13)Mar 2026+3% Mar 2027, +2.75% Mar 2028
SA$84,971 (Step 1)$123,236 (Step 9)8 May 2026Final rise of EA 2024; next agreement (EA27) not yet bargained. HAT $133,736
VIC$79,589 (CT 1-1)$118,063 (CT 2-6)1 Jul 2025Proposed $92,882 to $133,456 from 1 Oct 2026, back paid once FWC approves

Sources: NSW award C9868; NT EA 2024-2027; ACT EA 2023-2026; QLD DoE salary schedule (1 Sep 2026); WA DoE teacher salaries; SA DfE school teacher rates (8 May 2026); DECYP salary scales (27 Aug 2026); VGSA 2022 and proposed VGSA 2026.

Two warnings about reading this table. First, the graduate column is where a new graduate starts. As an experienced overseas teacher you may start higher, but only if your employer credits your service (see below). Second, Victoria's figures will jump. The new Victorian Government Schools Agreement 2026 was voted in with 93.1% support and lodged with the Fair Work Commission. When it starts, the 10 August and 1 October 2026 rises are back paid. For the full ranking with every step, see which state pays teachers the most.

What that means in your bank account

Worked example

Top classroom step, take-home pay in 2026-27 (Australian tax resident, no HELP debt)

NT CT9, $136,997
$102,498 a year / $3,942 a fortnight
NSW Step 7, $133,422
$100,207 a year / $3,854 a fortnight
ACT TL8, $129,106
$97,272 a year / $3,741 a fortnight
WA Level 2.9, $127,737
$96,341 a year / $3,705 a fortnight
SA Step 9, $123,236
$93,280 a year / $3,588 a fortnight
TAS Level 13, $122,393
$92,707 a year / $3,566 a fortnight
QLD Band 3 Step 4, $119,357
$90,643 a year / $3,486 a fortnight
Gap between NT and QLD top steps, after tax About $11,855 a year

Income tax after LITO plus 2% Medicare levy, 2026-27 rates, from our tax engine. Super (at least 12%) is paid on top. If you are not an Australian tax resident or not eligible for Medicare, your tax will differ.

Free calculator

Compare any step in any state

Pick your likely step in two or three states and see gross pay, take-home and super side by side.

Compare states

How each state credits overseas experience

For an experienced teacher, this matters more than the graduate rate. Starting on step 1 instead of step 6 can cost you tens of thousands of dollars a year. In every state the employer assesses your service, usually from statements of service on school letterhead. Payslips and references are not enough. Here is what we found in the official sources.

Recognition of prior teaching service for starting salary (government schools)
StateRule we could confirmSource
VICStart at 1-1 plus one step per year of approved experience, including interstate and equivalent international school experience, up to 2-6.VGSA
NTPlaced by completed years of service under the Salary Assessment Procedure (1 year = CT2). Statements of service required.NT EA; Teach in the Territory
ACTQualifications and prior teaching and other work experience recognised in full years.ACT EA
WAApply for a higher salary once employed. Assessed case by case; full years of continuous service only; casual work excluded. 5-year trained teachers can apply for a higher start.WA DoE
NSWStarting step is tied to NESA accreditation: Graduate starts at Step 1, Proficient at Step 3. Step 3+ needs Proficient accreditation.NSW award cl 3.5
TASEntry level depends on years of training (4-year trained Level 4, 5-year Level 5; usual start Level 5).DECYP
QLD, SANot confirmed this session. Ask the department before accepting.-

Catholic and independent employers have their own rules. Always ask for your proposed step in writing before you sign.

Worked example

Same teacher, two states: 6 years' experience in England

Victoria, if all 6 years are approved
2-2: $97,899 now, $110,697 once VGSA 2026 is approved
NT, if 6 completed years are assessed
CT7, $126,755 (2026)
NSW, starting with Graduate-level accreditation
Step 1, $92,882, until Proficient
Possible difference in year one More than $30,000

Illustrative only, using each state's published rules. Your employer makes the actual assessment.

Incentives that change the maths

Every state pays extra to fill hard-to-staff and remote schools, and some of it is generous enough to outweigh the gap between state scales. Most incentives are for permanent roles in specific schools and come with a minimum stay, so check eligibility and whether you need to be registered before you start.

  • NSW: Rural Teacher Incentive $20,000 to $30,000 a year, Experienced Teacher Benefit $10,000 a year for up to 5 years at eligible schools, relocation $5,000 to $8,000 and rental subsidies of 50% to 90%. See NSW rural teaching.
  • VIC: Targeted Financial Incentives of up to $50,000 upfront plus $10,000 retention payments, and the Regional Relocation Incentive of up to $30,000 plus $5,000 relocation. Interstate and overseas teachers must be VIT registered before they start. See Victorian rural teaching.
  • NT: Remote Incentive Allowance up to $10,319 a year (single) or $12,345 (with dependants), 100% rental concession in remote housing, airfares and up to $3,000 of HELP debt reimbursed for new recruits. See NT remote teaching.
  • QLD: RoRRS payments of up to $3,000 a year, locality allowance up to $9,193 for families, and travel allowances. See Queensland rural teaching.
  • TAS: $5,000 settling-in payment for isolated schools, retention payments and starting at Level 8 ($99,010) in isolated schools. See Tasmanian rural teaching.

Free calculator

Add up a rural package

Combine salary, incentive payments, allowances and housing support to see the real value of a country or remote posting.

Calculate a rural package

Workload, super and leave differences

Conditions that differ between states (government schools)
StateEmployer superFace-to-face teaching capLong service leave
ACT12.5% + 1% if you contribute 3%21 hrs/wk primary, 19 secondary; less for new educators3 months per 10 years
NSW12% SGSecondary 28 periods a week44 working days after 10 years
VIC12% SG (Aware Super default)21 hrs primary, 18.5 secondary3 months after 10 years; pro rata from 7
QLD12.75%Not verified1.3 weeks per year; access after 7 years
WA12% SG21h20m a week, primary and secondary13 weeks after 10 years, then 13 weeks per further 7
SA12% SG21 hrs secondary, 22h30m primaryNot verified
NT12% SG minimum22h40m primary (2026), 21h20m secondaryCommonly cited as 13 weeks after 10 years (not verified)
TAS12% SG minimum42 hrs/fortnight primary, 40 secondaryAfter 10 years (amount not verified)

Sources: each state's agreement or award as summarised in our state research.

Which state suits which teacher

Choose the NT or remote WA/QLD if...

  • You want the highest pay and biggest allowances.
  • You're happy in a small town or remote community.
  • You want your experience credited year for year (NT).
  • You want HALT to pay: NT adds $13,938 (HA) or $29,184 (Lead) a year.

Choose NSW or Victoria if...

  • You want a city lifestyle and the most vacancies.
  • You may need a 190 nomination (NSW lists all teacher groups).
  • You want to move between public, Catholic and independent schools.
  • In Victoria: your international experience is credited step by step.

If you're a New Zealand teacher, mutual recognition makes every state roughly equal on paperwork, so choose on pay, location and how your service is credited. If you're on a working holiday, relief rates matter more than the scale: Queensland pays supply teachers $515.75 a day from 1 September 2026 and NSW pays $480.43 to $599.85 depending on experience. Compare relief pay in casual relief teacher pay across Australia.

A simple way to decide

  1. 1

    Shortlist by visa

    If you need state nomination, start with states that list your occupation for the 190 or 491. See our teacher visa guide.

  2. 2

    Get your step in writing

    Send statements of service to two or three departments and ask what step they'd start you on. It's the single biggest pay variable.

  3. 3

    Price the rural option

    A country school can add $10,000 to $50,000 a year in incentives. Decide honestly whether you'd stay the minimum term.

  4. 4

    Check what's changing

    Victoria, Queensland, the ACT and WA all have pay outcomes pending. Use the pay rise tracker before you sign.

  5. 5

    Register early

    Registration takes weeks. Start with the regulator for your first-choice state. See registration by state.

Frequently asked questions

Which state pays teachers the most in Australia?
The Northern Territory. Classroom teachers earn $96,180 to $136,997 from January 2026, rising to $100,316 to $142,888 in January 2027. NSW is second at $92,882 to $133,422 from October 2026.
What is the best state for overseas teachers?
It depends on your experience and visa. Victoria and the NT have the clearest rules for crediting prior service, NSW has the most jobs and lists every teacher group for 190 nomination, and remote areas pay the biggest incentives.
Where is the most demand for teachers in Australia?
Rural, regional and remote schools in every state, plus secondary maths, science and special education. That's why the largest incentives, such as Victoria's up to $50,000 and NSW's $20,000 to $30,000 a year, target hard-to-staff schools.
Is it better to teach in Sydney or Melbourne?
On pay they will be almost identical once Victoria's 2026 agreement is approved: $92,882 at the start in both, and $133,422 (NSW) vs $133,456 (VIC) at the top. Victoria's explicit credit for international experience can put experienced teachers on a higher step.
Do Catholic schools pay the same as government schools?
In NSW, yes: the Catholic systemic agreement copies the government Steps 1 to 7. Elsewhere Catholic rates track government rates closely but may lag or lead by months.
Will my overseas experience count toward my salary?
Usually, but the employer decides and wants statements of service. Victoria credits equivalent international experience one step per year, the NT places you by completed years of service, and WA assesses case by case.
Which state has the lowest teacher pay?
Victoria, until its new agreement is approved: $79,589 to $118,063. Once approved it moves to $92,882 to $133,456, with back pay to 1 October 2026.

Sources we checked · last verified 2026-10-16

  1. 1.NSW: Crown Employees (Teachers in Schools) Salaries and Conditions Award 2024
  2. 2.NT Public Sector Educators' 2024-2027 Enterprise Agreement
  3. 3.Proposed Victorian Government Schools Agreement 2026
  4. 4.Queensland DoE salary schedule (updated 1 Sep 2026)
  5. 5.WA Department of Education: Teacher salaries
  6. 6.WA Department of Education: Recognition of experience and qualifications
  7. 7.DECYP Tasmania: Salary scales (27 Aug 2026)
  8. 8.ACT Education Directorate Teaching Staff EA 2023-2026
  9. 9.NSW DoE: Teacher subsidies, allowances and bonuses
  10. 10.Victoria: Targeted initiative to attract more teachers

About this page

Written and fact-checked by the TeacherPay AU editorial team against the enterprise agreements, awards and official pages listed in the sources. It is general information, not personal financial, tax or legal advice. Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we'll fix it, usually within a day. See our editorial policy and how we calculate.

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