Graduate teacher salary in the NT

No other state or territory pays a new graduate more. On top of the base salary, a graduate posted remotely can earn up to $10,319 a year in Remote Incentive Allowance (single rate) and live in department housing rent-free.

Graduate teacher pay in Northern Territory

Where you start

• CT1 ($96,180): a fully qualified, four-year-trained graduate with less than 12 months' post-qualification experience.
• CT2 or higher: if you have more than 12 months of teaching after qualifying, the Salary Assessment Procedure places you by completed years. Bring evidence of interstate or overseas service.
• Authorised Person ($91,587): if you are teaching before you are fully qualified or registered, for example while finishing your degree.

The fast track to CT4

The NT is unusual in rewarding early study. Under Rapid Incremental Progression (cl. 39.3) you can jump to CT4 at the start of year 3 rather than CT3, if you complete two years in NT government schools within four years and pass two semester units of postgraduate study. At 2026 rates that is $109,962 instead of $105,369, and you stay a step ahead until you reach CT9.

Extra money for remote and regional starts

• Remote Incentive Allowance: $1,513 to $10,319 a year (single rate) depending on location category, paid fortnightly.
• 100% rental concession on department housing in remote localities, and 2 or 3 return airfares a year under FOIL.
• Katherine or Alice Springs urban schools: $4,500 a year attraction and retention allowance, plus relocation payments.
• Up to $3,000 HELP debt reimbursement for new recruits, at the CEO's discretion.
• A guaranteed transfer to Darwin, Palmerston, Katherine or Alice Springs after three years remote.

A CT1 graduate in a Category 3 location earns $106,499 with the single-rate allowance and takes home about $81,899. See NT rural and remote incentives and the first-year teacher guide.