On this page (6 sections)
The short answer
In SA government schools, nationally certified Highly Accomplished Teachers are paid $133,736 a year and Lead Teachers $141,365, from 8 May 2026. Both are salary classifications above Step 9 ($123,236), so certification is worth $10,500 a year (HAT) or $18,129 (Lead) more than the top of the classroom scale.
SA pays HALT as a salary level rather than an allowance on top of your step. Certification has to be at Highly Accomplished or Lead level under the national framework (EA cl. 6.8). You still teach in the classroom, so it is the highest-paid path that doesn't take you into a Band B leadership job.
Highly Accomplished and Lead Teacher pay in South Australia
In SA, HALT certification moves you onto its own salary: $133,736 for Highly Accomplished and $141,365 for Lead Teacher from 8 May 2026, against $123,236 at Step 9. Effective 8 May 2026.
What HALT is worth in SA
Step 9 to Highly Accomplished Teacher
- Step 9 take-home
- $93,280
- HAT ($133,736) take-home
- $100,420 ($3,862 a fortnight)
- Gross gain
- $10,500
Step 9 to Lead Teacher
- Lead Teacher ($141,365) take-home
- $105,163 ($4,045 a fortnight)
- Gross gain
- $18,129
- Marginal rate
- 39% (above $135,000)
2026–27 tax rates, no HECS-HELP. Employer super of 12% adds $16,048 (HAT) or $16,964 (Lead).
How SA's HALT pay compares
SA's Lead Teacher rate of $141,365 is close to NSW's HALT rate ($141,997), even though SA's classroom scale tops out about $10,000 lower. So the jump from the top classroom step to HALT is unusually large in SA. The catch is that SA's rises have stopped until EA27, while other states keep moving. See the national HALT guide.
Where AST2 fits
The rate sheet also lists AST2 at $127,798. Advanced Skills Teacher 2 is a legacy classification and is now used as the Key Teacher Fallback salary. It isn't a pathway you can apply for, and it sits below the HAT rate. If you are on AST2, check whether certification would move you to HAT or Lead.
How to get there
- 1
Check you're ready
Most applicants are well established at Proficient with several years in the classroom. Talk to your principal early, because you need referees who have seen your practice.
- 2
Plan your evidence
National certification needs annotated evidence against the Highly Accomplished or Lead descriptors and direct observation. Our HALT evidence planner helps you map it out.
- 3
Apply through the SA certifying process
Follow the HALT application process and the Department for Education's current guidelines and timelines.
- 4
Ask payroll to reclassify you
Once you are certified, make sure your classification changes to HAT or LT and confirm the date the new salary starts.
Free calculator
Promotion pay calculator
Compare the take-home gain from HALT with a Band B leadership role.
Open the calculatorFrequently asked questions
How much do Highly Accomplished Teachers earn in SA?
How much do Lead Teachers earn in SA?
Is HALT an allowance or a salary in SA?
Do I need to be on Step 9 to apply for HALT in SA?
What is the take-home pay of an SA Lead Teacher?
What is AST2 in SA?
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.