Early childhood teacher salary in Australia (2026)

How early childhood teacher pay is set

Most early childhood teachers in Australia work in long day care centres or community and private preschools and kindergartens. Their minimum pay comes from the Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020, the same national award that sets the floor for non-government school teachers. Some employers, including large providers and community kindergarten groups, have enterprise agreements that pay more than the award.

A smaller group of ECTs work for a state education department, for example in a government preschool or a kindergarten attached to a school. Those teachers may be covered by the state teachers' agreement rather than the award, which can mean much higher pay. We have not verified each state's arrangements, so if you are applying for a government preschool role, ask which scale the position is paid on.

Award pay rates from 1 July 2026

The long day care rates are 4% higher because those teachers work across most of the year, while preschool and school teachers work to term dates with non-term weeks off. Levels move the same way as for school teachers: Level 2 needs proficient registration or accreditation (or equivalent), Levels 3 and 4 each need three years' satisfactory service at the level below, and Level 5 needs Highly Accomplished or Lead accreditation or equivalent. The teachers award guide has the detail.

The 15% Worker Retention Payment

Since December 2024 the Australian Government has funded a wage increase for early childhood workers at approved services that sign up to the Worker Retention Payment. It was 10% from 2 December 2024 and rose to 15% from 1 December 2025. In June 2026 the government extended it to 30 June 2028, with Year 3 starting on 1 December 2026, and expanded it to family day care and in-home care. Services already in the program do not need to reapply.

Early childhood vs school teacher pay

The gap widens with experience. A Level 5 ECT on the long day care award earns $109,279 (about $125,671 with the 15% payment), while the top classroom step in a government school is between $118,063 and $136,997. In many states, a qualified ECT who also holds primary registration can earn more by moving into a school. If you are weighing that up, see how to become a teacher and career change to teaching.

The July 2026 award rise and part-time pay

Award rates rose 4.75% from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, after the Fair Work Commission's Annual Wage Review. For a Level 1 ECT in long day care that was a rise of about $3,580 a year, to $78,979. If your service pays the Worker Retention Payment, ask how the 15% has been applied since the new rates started, and check your first July payslip showed the change.

Casual early childhood teacher pay

Casual ECTs on the award get a 25% loading instead of leave. The award calculates a casual full day as the weekly rate divided by 5, plus 25%, and a half day as the weekly rate divided by 10, plus 25%.

Extra money and support for ECTs

• Commonwealth Teaching Scholarships of $10,000 a year (up to $40,000 for an undergraduate degree) can support early childhood students. The service obligation can be met in government early learning as well as government schools. See Commonwealth Teaching Scholarships.
• Commonwealth Prac Payment of $338.60 a week (2026) helps with mandatory placements for eligible teaching students. See the prac payment guide.
• HELP debt reduction for teachers in very remote areas includes preschools and centre-based day care, after four years' full-time service. See HECS debt relief for remote teachers.
• Salary packaging may be available at not-for-profit centres, which can lift your take-home pay. See teacher salary packaging.

Moving to Australia as an early childhood teacher

Early Childhood (Pre-primary) Teacher (ANZSCO 241111) is no longer assessed by AITSL. Migration agents report that assessments moved to ACECQA from December 2024, so check ACECQA's current process before you apply. Early childhood teaching is reported to be on the Core Skills Occupation List, but confirm the current list with Home Affairs or a registered migration agent. Our moving to Australia hub covers registration and visas.