NSW graduate teacher salary 2026

NSW pays new teachers by accreditation stage. If you hold Conditional or Provisional accreditation as a new graduate, you start on Step 1 regardless of whether you teach primary or secondary, in the city or the country. Only the rural incentives and allowances change with location.

Graduate teacher pay in New South Wales

Your first two years of pay

Step 1 is $92,882 and Step 2 is $99,889, both Graduate steps. You move from Step 1 to Step 2 after a year of full-time service (203 days) and a satisfactory Performance and Development process. That move is about time, not accreditation, so most full-time graduates get it at the start of their second year.

What a graduate takes home

Extra money for new teachers

• Teacher Education Scholarship: up to $7,500 a year while you study plus a $6,000 appointment allowance and a guaranteed permanent job, for secondary maths, science, TAS and inclusive/special education.
• teach.Rural Scholarship: up to $50,000 towards course fees, $7,500 a year, a $6,000 appointment allowance and up to $5,000 for rural practicum, with a permanent rural or remote job at the end.
• Rural Teacher Incentive: $20,000 to $30,000 a year at eligible 4-, 6- and 8-point schools, including for temporary teachers on at least a term or 10 consecutive weeks.
• Rental subsidy: 50%, 70% or 90% of rent at 4-, 6- and 8-point schools (paid out of the Rural Teacher Incentive).

A graduate on Step 1 at an incentive school paying the minimum $20,000 incentive earns $112,882 before tax in the first year, less any rental subsidy taken out of the incentive. See rural and remote teaching in NSW for every payment and how to apply.

Graduate checklist for your first pay

For the bigger picture, read our first-year graduate teacher guide and how to become a teacher in NSW.