On this page (6 sections)
The short answer
In the ACT, HALT certification earns an extra increment if you are below the top of the scale. If you are already at Teacher Level 8 ($129,106) or Executive Teacher SLC2, you receive a HALT payment of $7,495 a year from December 2025, taking a TL8 teacher to $136,601.
The ACT treats HALT differently from NSW or Queensland. There is no HALT salary band. Instead, certification is rewarded in one of two ways depending on where you are on the scale. That makes the value of certification depend heavily on timing.
Highly Accomplished / Lead Teacher (HALT) pay in Australian Capital Territory
There is no separate HALT salary step. Certified HALTs below the top get an extra increment; those at TL8 or SLC2 get a HALT payment of $7,495 a year (from Dec 2025), paid fortnightly for one calendar year. Effective 4 December 2025.
The two ways HALT is paid
Below the top (TL1-TL7)
- Extra increment on certification
- You jump a level earlier than you otherwise would
- Gain is the gap to the next level ($1,830 to $8,610)
At TL8 or SLC2
- HALT payment of $7,495 a year (from Dec 2025)
- Paid fortnightly for one calendar year
- TL8 + HALT = $136,601; SLC2 + HALT = $156,602
The research we hold says the payment is made fortnightly for one calendar year. Check with the Education Directorate how the payment renews alongside your certification before you plan around it.
Is it worth applying at TL7?
Usually not for the money alone. The step from TL7 ($127,276) to TL8 ($129,106) is only $1,830, so an extra increment at TL7 gives you little. Certify once you reach TL8 and the $7,495 payment is four times as valuable. Earlier certification still matters if you want an Executive Teacher role.
Take-home at TL8 with the HALT payment
TL8 + HALT payment
- TL8 salary
- $129,106
- HALT payment
- $7,495
- Total gross
- $136,601
- Income tax + Medicare
- $34,344
Part of the HALT payment is taxed at 39% because it pushes you over $135,000.
How to get certified
- 1
Check eligibility
You need full registration with the TQI and evidence against the Highly Accomplished or Lead career stage of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers.
- 2
Build your evidence
Gather annotated work samples, observations and referee statements over at least a year.
- 3
Submit for assessment
Apply through the ACT certification process run with the TQI.
- 4
Notify payroll
Once certified, make sure the increment or HALT payment is actioned.
Free calculator
Plan your HALT evidence
Map your evidence to each standard and set a timeline.
Open the calculatorFrequently asked questions
How much is the HALT payment in the ACT?
What is the HALT salary in the ACT?
Is HALT worth more in the ACT or NSW?
Do Executive Teachers get the HALT payment?
What do Catholic HALT teachers earn in Canberra?
Sources we checked · last verified 16 October 2026
- 1.ACT Public Sector Education Directorate (Teaching Staff) EA 2023-2026, [2023] FWCA 2456 (AEU ACT copy)
- 2.AEU ACT: 2025/6 Teaching Staff Bargaining
- 3.Region Canberra: Term 4 strikes possible as teachers reject offer (14 Sep 2026)
- 4.ABC News: Canberra public school staff take more industrial action (24 Sep 2026)
- 5.ACT Teacher Quality Institute (Fees) Determination 2026 (No 1), DI2026-1
- 6.Your Agreement Explained: NSW and ACT Catholic Systemic Schools EA 2025
- 7.IEU: Catholic systemic EAs 2025
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.