NSW Head Teacher Salary 2026: $153,531 From 9 October

On this page (6 sections)

Head Teacher pay in NSW
One rate for every Head Teacher
What changes in your week
What the promotion is worth
Getting the job
FAQs

The short answer

A Head Teacher in a NSW public high or central school is paid $153,531 a year from the first full pay period on or after 9 October 2026. That is $20,109 more than a Step 7 classroom teacher ($133,422). After tax and Medicare, a Head Teacher takes home about $112,584 a year, or $4,330 a fortnight.

Head Teachers lead a faculty or a whole-school area in NSW high schools and central schools. The rate is set in Schedule 3 of the 2024 award and is pegged to other first-level executive roles: primary Assistant Principals, Teaching Principal 1 and School Counsellor SC5 all earn the same $153,531.

Head Teacher pay in New South Wales

	Annual salary	Take-home / year	Take-home / fortnight
Head Teacher, high school or central school (Schedule 3)	$153,531	$112,584	$4,330

Head Teachers in high and central schools are paid $153,531 from 9 Oct 2026, the same rate as primary Assistant Principals and Teaching Principal 1. Effective 9 October 2026.

One rate for every Head Teacher

Unlike some states, NSW has no bands or steps for Head Teachers. A Head Teacher of a small faculty in a regional school is paid the same as one leading a large faculty in Sydney. It is a promotion by merit selection, so you apply for a specific position rather than progressing into it.

What changes in your week

Award cl 16 teaching loads.

Classroom teacher (high school)

Up to 28 x 40-minute periods a week
Up to 6 relief periods a term
Plus up to 3 sport periods

Head Teacher

Up to 22 periods a week
Up to 5 relief periods a term
Plus faculty leadership, programming, supervision

What the promotion is worth

Worked example

Step 7 to Head Teacher

Step 7 take-home: $100,207
Head Teacher gross: $153,531
Income tax and Medicare: $40,947
Head Teacher take-home: $112,584

Gain after tax $12,377 a year (about $476 a fortnight)

With a HELP debt the Head Teacher take-home is about $99,507. Employer super rises from $16,011 to $18,424. 2026-27 rates.

Part of the gross increase is taxed at 39% because the rate crosses the $135,000 threshold. If you are already on HA/Lead ($141,997), the step to Head Teacher is $11,534 gross or about $7,036 after tax.

Free calculator

Is the promotion worth it?

Compare take-home pay, super and hours for your current step against a Head Teacher position.

Open the calculator

Getting the job

NSW executive positions are filled by merit selection against targeted selection criteria. Our NSW targeted selection criteria guide and teacher interview questions cover what panels look for. The AI selection criteria coach can help you draft responses.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Head Teacher earn in NSW?

$153,531 a year in NSW public schools from the first full pay period on or after 9 October 2026. That is about $4,330 a fortnight after tax.

Do all NSW Head Teachers earn the same?

Yes. The award has a single Head Teacher rate for high and central schools, regardless of faculty or school size.

Do NSW Head Teachers and Assistant Principals earn the same?

Yes. Both are paid $153,531 under Schedule 3 of the award, the same as Teaching Principal 1.

How many periods does a NSW Head Teacher teach?

Up to 22 periods a week, compared with 28 for classroom teachers, plus up to 5 relief periods a term.

Is becoming a Head Teacher worth it financially?

It adds $20,109 a year before tax over Step 7, or about $12,377 after tax. See is promotion worth it for teachers for the non-pay side.

Sources we checked · last verified 16 October 2026

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