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WA · Head of Learning Area / Head of Department

Head of Learning Area salary in WA

WA Heads of Learning Area are paid on the School Administrator levels, from $141,551 (Level 3.1). How levels are set, take-home pay and what to check.

✓ Fact-checked against official sources Updated 16 October 2026 3 min read

Salary

$141,551

Take-home / fortnight

$4,049

Effective

December 2025

On this page (5 sections)
  1. Head of Learning Area / Head of Department pay in WA
  2. The School Administrator levels
  3. Is it worth it over Level 3 Classroom Teacher?
  4. Winning a Head of Learning Area job
  5. FAQs

The short answer

Heads of Learning Area (the WA equivalent of a head teacher or head of department) are paid on the School Administrator salary levels, which start at $141,551 at Level 3.1 and reach $154,896 at Level 3.4 from 6 December 2025. The agreement sets salary levels, not job titles, so the level for each job depends on the school's classification.

WA's agreement doesn't list a separate Head of Learning Area salary. Positions are classified at a School Administrator level, and we haven't verified which level applies at each type of school. Always check the classification on the job advertisement before you compare offers.

Head of Learning Area / Head of Department pay in Western Australia

ClassificationAnnual salaryTake-home / fortnight
Administrator Level 3 (3.1-3.4)$141,551$4,049
Administrator Level 4 (4.1-4.4)$159,316$4,466
Administrator Level 5 (5.1-5.4)$173,171$4,791
Administrator Level 6 (6.1-6.4)$193,532$5,258

Heads of Learning Area are paid on the School Administrator levels, which start at $141,551 (Level 3.1) from 6 Dec 2025. The agreement sets salary levels, not job titles, so check the level on the job advertisement. Effective 6 December 2025.

The School Administrator levels

School Administrator ranges and take-home, 2026–27
LevelRange (from 6 Dec 2025)Take-home at bottom of range
Level 3 (3.1–3.4)$141,551 – $154,896$105,276
Level 4 (4.1–4.4)$159,316 – $169,438$116,113
Level 5 (5.1–5.4)$173,171 – $186,301$124,564
Level 6 (6.1–6.4)$193,532 – $206,662$136,702

After income tax (after LITO) and Medicare, no HECS-HELP. Agreement Table 16.

Is it worth it over Level 3 Classroom Teacher?

Administrator Level 3.1 ($141,551) pays the same as Level 3.2 Classroom Teacher, and $13,814 more than Level 2.9 before tax, or about $8,935 more after tax. The difference is the work: a Head of Learning Area leads a team and a program, while a Level 3 Classroom Teacher stays focused on teaching. If you want to stay in the classroom, compare Level 3 Classroom Teacher pay first.

Winning a Head of Learning Area job

  1. 1

    Read the job description and level

    It tells you the salary range and what the school expects from the role.

  2. 2

    Address the selection criteria

    Use specific examples of leading colleagues, programs and student results. Try our selection criteria coach.

  3. 3

    Prepare for the panel

    Expect questions on leading change, data and staff development. Practise with the interview coach.

Country Teaching Program and Remote Teaching Service allowances also apply to administrators, so a leadership role in a country school can pay well above these figures. See WA rural and remote incentives.

Free calculator

Promotion pay calculator

See what moving from Level 2.9 to an administrator level adds to your take-home pay.

Open the calculator

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Head of Learning Area earn in WA?
Heads of Learning Area are paid on the School Administrator levels, from $141,551 at Level 3.1. The exact level depends on the school's classification.
Is there a head teacher role in WA schools?
The WA equivalent is the Head of Learning Area, sometimes called head of department, paid at a School Administrator level.
How is the level for a WA leadership job decided?
It follows the Department of Education's classification of the school and position. The agreement lists salary levels, not job titles.
How much more does a Head of Learning Area earn than a teacher at the top of the scale?
At Level 3.1, $13,814 a year more than Level 2.9 before tax, or about $8,935 more after tax.
Do WA leadership roles get country allowances?
Yes. CTP and RTS allowances apply to administrators as well as teachers.

Sources we checked · last verified 16 October 2026

  1. 1.WAIRC: School Education Act Employees' (Teachers and Administrators) General Agreement 2023 listing
  2. 2.General Agreement 2023 full text (PDF)
  3. 3.Teachers (Public Sector Primary and Secondary Education) Award 1993 (PDF)
  4. 4.WA Department of Education: Teacher salaries
  5. 5.WA Department of Education: Incentives and allowances
  6. 6.WA Department of Education: Attraction and retention incentive
  7. 7.TRBWA: Fees

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.