NSW Teacher Salary 2025 PDF: What You Actually Take Home After Tax and Medicare

What the NSW Teacher Salary 2025 PDF Reveals

If you are a teacher in New South Wales or considering the profession, the nsw teacher salary 2025 pdf – the official Crown Employees (Teachers in Schools and Related Employees) Salaries and Conditions Award – is your definitive source for pay rates. The NSW Department of Education publishes this award, which sets out the salary steps for teachers based on accreditation level. The figures you see in that PDF are your base salary, before tax and the Medicare levy, and before superannuation (which is paid on top).

This guide walks you through the salary scales, then shows you how much of that money actually reaches your bank account each fortnight after the Australian Tax Office takes its share. We use the 2026–27 tax rates and the latest single-person Medicare thresholds of $28,011 and $35,013.

Understanding the Salary Scales

The award uses a seven-step scale plus a Highly Accomplished/Lead Teacher classification. Your step depends on your accreditation level and years of service.

Graduate Teacher (Step 1) Salary

A teacher with Graduate accreditation starts at Step 1. According to the award, from the first full pay period on or after 9 October 2025, the Step 1 salary is $90,177. This is the figure you will see in the nsw teacher salary 2025 pdf. After one year of satisfactory service, you move to Step 2 ($96,980 from October 2025).

Experienced Teacher (Step 7) Salary

Once you reach Proficient accreditation and progress through the steps, you can earn Step 7: $129,536 from October 2025. The award also includes a Highly Accomplished/Lead Teacher rate of $137,861 from the same date.

Casual Teacher Rates

Casual teachers are paid a daily rate. From October 2025, Casual Teacher 1 (graduate level) earns $466.44 per day, Casual Teacher 2 $523.04, and Casual Teacher 3 $582.38. These rates are for a 6.5-hour day including a 30-minute break.

Calculating Your Take-Home Pay

Your take-home pay is what remains after income tax and the Medicare levy are deducted. Superannuation (12% from 1 July 2026) is not deducted from your salary – it is an employer contribution on top. So your fortnightly bank deposit is based on your base salary.

Tax Brackets for 2026–27

The Australian Tax Office applies these resident tax rates for 2026–27:

• $0 – $18,200: Nil
• $18,201 – $45,000: 15c for each $1 over $18,200
• $45,001 – $135,000: $4,020 plus 30c for each $1 over $45,000
• $135,001 – $190,000: $31,020 plus 37c for each $1 over $135,000
• Over $190,000: $51,370 plus 45c for each $1 over $190,000

You may also be eligible for the Low Income Tax Offset (LITO), but at salaries above $66,667 it phases out to zero.

Medicare Levy

The Medicare levy is 2% of your taxable income, but there are thresholds. For singles, if your income is below $28,011 you pay no levy; between $28,011 and $35,013 you pay a reduced rate (10c per $1 over the lower threshold); above $35,013 you pay the full 2%. All full-time teachers earning over $35,013 will pay the full 2%.

Example: Step 1 Teacher ($90,177)

• Taxable income: $90,177
• Income tax: $4,020 + 0.30 × ($90,177 – $45,000) = $4,020 + $13,553.10 = $17,573.10
• LITO: $0 (phased out completely)
• Medicare levy: $90,177 × 0.02 = $1,803.54
• Total deductions: $19,376.64
• Annual take-home: $70,800.36
• Fortnightly take-home: $70,800.36 ÷ 26 = $2,723.09

Example: Step 7 Teacher ($129,536)

• Taxable income: $129,536
• Income tax: $4,020 + 0.30 × ($129,536 – $45,000) = $4,020 + $25,360.80 = $29,380.80
• LITO: $0
• Medicare levy: $129,536 × 0.02 = $2,590.72
• Total deductions: $31,971.52
• Annual take-home: $97,564.48
• Fortnightly take-home: $97,564.48 ÷ 26 = $3,752.48

These are estimates. Actual tax may vary due to rounding in payroll systems, and we have not included HELP/HECS repayments or the Medicare levy surcharge (which applies if you do not have appropriate private hospital cover and earn over a threshold).

Superannuation and Salary Packaging

Your salary in the nsw teacher salary 2025 pdf is exclusive of super. From 1 July 2026, your employer must contribute 12% of your ordinary time earnings into a super fund. That is on top of your base salary. So a Step 1 teacher receives $90,177 in cash (before tax) plus $10,821.24 in super.

You can also use Salary packaging to reduce your taxable income. NSW public school teachers can package items such as a motor vehicle, laptop, or additional super contributions. This lowers the amount of tax and Medicare levy you pay, increasing your take-home pay. The arrangement must be cost-neutral to the employer – you reimburse any fringe benefits tax and admin fees.

For more details on how tax and Medicare affect your pay, see our Tax and Medicare guide. If you want to compare your take-home pay with other professions, check the Benchmarks page.

Final Thoughts

The nsw teacher salary 2025 pdf gives you the official base rates. Your actual fortnightly deposit will be lower due to tax and Medicare, but you also receive super on top. Use the figures above to plan your budget, and consider salary packaging to keep more of your earnings. Remember, this is an estimate – always consult a tax professional for your personal situation.