Teacher pay increases over time in Australia: a state-by-state history

Why teacher pay jumped after 2023

Before 2023, teacher pay in most states rose in small annual steps, often limited by state public sector wage policies. From 2023, teacher shortages, high inflation and union campaigns pushed governments to restructure scales, especially for early-career teachers. The pattern since then has been large one-off resets (NSW in 2023, the NT and ACT in 2024, Victoria in 2026), followed by smaller annual percentage rises.

Two things make history tables tricky. First, a 'pay rise' usually lifts every step, but a restructure can lift some steps far more than others, so graduate and top-of-scale changes differ. Second, most rises start from the first full pay period on or after a date. The dates below are the dates in each agreement. For live changes, see the teacher pay rise tracker.

NSW: the 2023 reset and three 3% rises

The 2023 restructure was worth 12.2% to a graduate and 8.0% at the top of the scale, and it shortened the path to the top step. Since then the three 3% rises have compounded to 9.3%. Overall, NSW graduate pay is up 22.6% and top-of-scale pay 18.0% since before October 2023. NSW Catholic systemic schools have matched every one of these rises. See NSW teacher pay rise.

Victoria: small steps, then a big jump pending

Victoria's eight 1% rises added about 8.3% over four years. The new agreement is much bigger: once approved, graduate pay rises 16.7% and top-of-scale pay 13.04% by 1 October 2026 alone, and over the life of the deal the graduate step rises 32.4% and the top step 28.3%. Use the back pay calculator to estimate what you are owed, and see Victorian teacher pay rise.

Queensland: rises to 2024, then arbitration

Queensland's 2022 agreement reached nominal expiry on 30 June 2025. Members rejected the government's October 2025 offer, and the dispute went to the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission for arbitration around the start of 2026. In the meantime, classroom teachers have had the 2025 and 2026 award increases, and other roles a 3% interim rise from 7 September 2026. Since July 2024, graduate pay is up 7.2%. No further rise is scheduled until the arbitration decision, expected in late 2026 or 2027. See Queensland teacher pay rise.

Tasmania, ACT and NT

The NT deal is the standout: graduate pay is up 14.2% on pre-October 2024 rates and will be up 19.2% by January 2027. That is why the NT is the best-paying jurisdiction for most teachers. See which state pays teachers the most.

WA and SA

WA teachers have had 12.5% compounded since December 2023, and SA Step 1 teachers about 13.6% since before May 2023. Both states are now at the end of their agreements, so their next rises depend on new deals: WA's agreement expires on 5 December 2026 and SA's runs to about March 2027, with the union's campaign for a new agreement under way. See WA teacher pay and SA teacher pay.

What the history means for you

• Back pay is common. Victoria, Queensland and the ACT have all had periods where rises were agreed or decided after the date they apply from. Keep your payslips. See tax on teacher back pay.
• Restructures favour early-career teachers. Recent deals in NSW, Victoria and the NT lifted graduate pay faster than top-of-scale pay.
• Expiry dates matter. NSW's award ends 8 October 2027 with no rise agreed after October 2026; the NT's agreement ends 31 December 2027. Expect bargaining news in 2027.
• Step progression is on top. These tables show what happens to each step. In your early years you also move up a step each year. See how teacher pay steps work.