On this page (10 sections)
The short answer
Queensland state school teachers received the higher of a 3% QIRC interim rise from 7 September 2026 or the 4.75% State Wage Case award rise from 1 September 2026. Most classroom teachers get the 4.75%: a graduate now earns $90,164. The full pay deal is still in QIRC arbitration, with a decision expected late 2026 or 2027.
This is the clearest timeline we can give of how Queensland teachers ended up in arbitration, what each September 2026 rise actually did to your pay, and what back pay could follow when the QIRC makes its final decision. It's dated, sourced, and separates what is decided from what is still argued.
Where QLD teacher pay stands right now
In QIRC arbitration: 3% interim rise from 7 Sep 2026 (or the higher 4.75% award rate from 1 Sep 2026); final decision expected late 2026 or 2027
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7 September 2026
QIRC 3% interim increase takes effect
The QIRC Full Bench granted a 3% interim rise on CA2022 rates operative 7 Sep 2026, paid in the fortnight ending 4 Oct 2026. The QTU's bid for backdating to 1 Feb 2026 was reportedly refused.
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4 September 2026
State Wage Case 2026: 4.75% award rise
Award rates rose 4.75% from 1 Sep 2026, beating the interim rate for Band 1-3, Senior Teacher, EST and supply teachers. Processed in the fortnight ending 18 Oct 2026 with back pay.
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5 January 2026
Bargaining referred to QIRC arbitration
The QTU received notice that the dispute was referred under s177(2) of the Industrial Relations Act 2016. A Full Bench will set the new terms.
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31 October 2025
Teachers reject the government's offer
67.6% of QTU members voted no to the Department's offer, so there was no in-principle agreement.
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6 August 2025
First statewide teacher strike in 16 years
A 24-hour QTU strike during bargaining, followed by a second strike in November 2025.
QLD teacher pay rise timeline
Old, current and upcoming rates
Proposed columns apply only once the agreement is approved; calculated columns are our arithmetic from the published percentage.
Where things stand on 16 October 2026
Interim rise (agreement)
3%
From 7 Sep 2026
Award rise (State Wage Case)
4.75%
From 1 Sep 2026
Graduate pay now
$90,164
Band 2 Step 1
Final decision
Late 2026 or 2027
QIRC Full Bench
- The 2022 certified agreement still applies. It passed its nominal expiry on 30 June 2025 and keeps operating until it's replaced.
- The 3% interim rise was paid in the fortnight ending 4 October 2026, with back pay to 7 September.
- The 4.75% award rise applies to Band 1-3, Senior Teacher, EST and supply teachers, and is being processed in the fortnight ending 18 October 2026, with back pay to 1 September.
- No further rise is scheduled. Everything after this depends on the arbitration or the 2027 State Wage Case.
How Queensland teachers ended up in arbitration
Arbitration means the QIRC Full Bench, not a member vote, decides the terms of the next agreement. The QTU says class sizes and non-contact time are no longer in dispute, so the hearing is mainly about wages.
The 'higher of' rule: why your rise was 3% or 4.75%
You are paid the higher of your agreement rate (now with the 3% interim rise) or your award rate (now with the 4.75% rise). Because the award moved more, most classroom teachers are on the award rate. Leaders and HALT teachers are on the agreement rate because their award rates are lower.
The Teach Queensland infographic shows the agreement-only rates (graduate $86,601). Those are not what Band 1-3, ST and EST teachers are paid.
What each side wants from arbitration
Sources: QTU Journal Vol 131 No 4. The State's position is the union's description, not a published government document.
QTU claim
- 3%, then 7% a year for three years (24% added together)
- Pay rises backdated (its bid for the interim rise to start 1 Feb 2026 was reportedly refused)
State position (as the QTU describes it)
- Apply government wage policy
- No further increase until 2027
- The October 2025 offer terms no longer apply
What back pay could follow the final decision
The Full Bench will set new agreement rates and the date they start. If that date is before the decision, the difference is paid as back pay. What's not settled is how far back it goes. In the interim decision the QIRC reportedly declined to backdate to 1 February 2026 (we have not been able to read the decision text, [2026] QIRC 267, so treat this as reported).
Hypothetical: Highly Accomplished Teacher, extra 4% backdated six months
- Current rate (agreement, interim)
- $134,694
- Extra 4% for six months
- about $2,694 before tax
- Extra tax and Medicare in 2026-27
- about $1,029
Illustration only, not a forecast. Every 1% on the HAT rate is worth about $1,347 a year. HAT, Lead Teacher, Coach and leaders are on agreement rates, so any arbitrated rise flows straight through to them.
When the decision lands
- 1
Read the operative date
The decision will state when new rates start. That date, not the decision date, sets how much back pay you get.
- 2
Compare with your award rate
If you're on Band 1-3, ST or EST, check whether the new agreement rate beats your current award rate. If not, nothing changes yet.
- 3
Check the payslip
Back pay usually shows as a separate line, and can take a few pay cycles to be processed after the decision.
- 4
Check the tax year
If back pay relates to an earlier financial year, ask a registered tax agent whether the lump sum in arrears tax offset applies.
Free calculator
Estimate your Queensland back pay
Enter your old and new rates and the dates to see your back pay before and after tax.
Calculate my back payWhat to watch next
- QIRC hearing dates and the Full Bench decision (the interim decision was reportedly [2026] QIRC 267).
- The 2027 State Wage Case, which could move award rates again.
- QTU member updates on the operative date and back pay.
- Catholic schools: the IEU-QNT is bargaining separately, and employers set a 31 Oct 2026 deadline for back pay. See Queensland Catholic teacher pay.
- Rises in other states, tracked on our teacher pay rise tracker.
Frequently asked questions
Did Queensland teachers get a pay rise in 2026?
When will Queensland teachers get the 4.75% back pay?
Why did my pay rise 4.75% but my HOD's rose 3%?
Why are Queensland teachers in arbitration?
When will the QIRC arbitration decision come out?
Will Queensland teachers get back pay from arbitration?
What did the government offer Queensland teachers?
Sources we checked · last verified 16 October 2026
- 1.DoE Salary Schedule (xls, updated 1 Sep 2026)
- 2.QTU Updated Salary Schedule flyer (1 Oct 2026)
- 3.QTU: Salaries under CA2022
- 4.QTU: EB referred to arbitration (QTJ Vol 131 No 1)
- 5.QTU: Pathway to arbitration and QTU submissions (QTJ Vol 131 No 4)
- 6.Teach Queensland: Pay and benefits
- 7.Teach Queensland: Beginning teacher incentives and support
- 8.QIRC: CA2022 certificate CB/2022/135
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.