On this page (6 sections)
The short answer
Assistant principals in SA government schools are Band B leaders. From 8 May 2026 Band B pays $128,390 at B-0 up to $172,842 at B-6. The level for each assistant principal job is set by the position and is shown when it is advertised. SA doesn't publish a single assistant principal rate.
In SA, the assistant principal title sits inside the Band B leader structure, alongside coordinators, senior leaders and deputy principals. So the pay depends on the band the role is classified at, not on the title.
Assistant Principal pay in South Australia
Assistant principals in SA are Band B leaders, paid $128,390 (B-0) to $172,842 (B-6) from 8 May 2026. The Band B level for each job is set by the position and is not published per school. Effective 8 May 2026.
The Band B range
Take-home after income tax (with LITO) and Medicare, no HECS-HELP. Source: EA 2024 Schedule 1.3 and DfE web rates.
Which band will an assistant principal job be?
Check the job advertisement. SA classifies each leadership position by its responsibilities and the school's size and complexity. We haven't seen a published rule that maps assistant principal jobs to particular bands, so don't assume a level. If the band isn't clear, ask the school or the Department for Education before you apply.
B-2 assistant principal, $136,872
- Income tax (after LITO)
- $31,713
- Medicare levy
- $2,737
- Employer super (12%)
- $16,425
- Marginal rate
- 39% (just above $135,000)
Country assistant principal roles
Leaders in Zone 2 to 5 schools get the Country Incentives Zone Allowance too, from $2,261 to $11,391 a year. In Aboriginal and Anangu schools, Band B leaders other than deputy principals can get one term's paid study leave after two years. See SA rural and remote incentives.
What changes next
Leaders got 3% on 8 May 2026, the last rise under the 2024 agreement. The next rise depends on EA27, which hasn't been bargained. Follow it on the SA pay rise page. If you're thinking about the next step up, see SA deputy principal pay.
Free calculator
Promotion pay calculator
Compare take-home pay at each Band B level with your current step.
Open the calculatorFrequently asked questions
How much does an assistant principal earn in SA?
What band is an assistant principal in SA?
What does a B-2 assistant principal take home in SA?
Do SA assistant principals get country allowances?
When is the next pay rise for SA assistant principals?
Sources we checked · last verified 16 October 2026
- 1.SAET: South Australian School and Preschool Education Staff Enterprise Agreement 2024 (ET-24-00640)
- 2.SA DfE: School teachers pay rates, effective 08/05/2026 (PDF)
- 3.SA DfE: Pay rates, forms for new employees and enterprise agreements
- 4.TRB SA: Payment of registration fees
- 5.AEU SA: EA27 campaign next phase (Oct 2026)
- 6.IEU SA: Same Work, Different Pay (Mar 2026)
- 7.IEU SA: Catholic EB24 – more than just numbers (Aug 2026)
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.