Teachers salary: what you actually take home after tax and super

Understanding your teachers salary: gross, package, and take-home

If you're a teacher in Australia, you've probably seen job ads quoting a salary figure and wondered how much of that actually reaches your bank account. The confusion often comes from mixing up three different numbers: your gross salary (the award or agreement rate), your total package (gross plus super), and your take-home pay (what's left after tax and the Medicare levy).

This guide breaks down each part using the latest award rates from the Fair Work Ombudsman and the 2026–27 tax rates from the Australian Taxation Office.

Award rates for teachers

Under the Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020, full-time teachers are classified into five levels. The minimum weekly and annual salaries depend on whether you work in a preschool or school, or in a long day care centre.

Level	Preschool/school weekly	Preschool/school annual	Long day care weekly	Long day care annual
1	$1,455.40	$75,941	$1,513.60	$78,979
2	$1,590.70	$83,004	$1,654.40	$86,324
3	$1,731.70	$90,362	$1,801.00	$93,976
4	$1,872.70	$97,720	$1,947.70	$101,629
5	$2,013.70	$105,076	$2,094.30	$109,279

These are the minimum rates. Your actual salary may be higher if you have a certified agreement or individual contract. The award also includes allowances for directors and leadership roles.

What about super?

From 1 July 2026, your employer must pay super guarantee of 12% on top of your ordinary time earnings, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year. If a job ad says "$90,000 plus super", your total employment cost is $90,000 + $10,800 = $100,800. The super goes into your nominated fund, not into your pocket. If the ad says "$100,800 package including super", then your gross salary is about $90,000 and the super is included in that figure.

From gross salary to take-home pay

Your take-home pay is what remains after your employer withholds:

• Income tax according to the 2026–27 resident tax rates
• Medicare levy of 2% of your taxable income (with a shading-in range for low incomes)

For a single person, the Medicare levy thresholds are $28,011 (lower) and $35,013 (upper). If your taxable income is below $28,011, you pay no Medicare levy. Between $28,011 and $35,013, the levy is 10 cents per dollar over the lower threshold. Above $35,013, you pay the full 2%.

Example: Level 1 teacher in a school

• Gross annual salary: $75,941
• Less tax (using 2026–27 rates):
• First $18,200: nil
• Next $26,800 ($18,201 to $45,000): 15c per $1 = $4,020
• Next $30,941 ($45,001 to $75,941): 30c per $1 = $9,282.30
• Total tax before offsets: $13,302.30
• Less Low Income Tax Offset (LITO): at $75,941, LITO is $325 minus 1.5c per $1 over $45,000 = $325 – $464.12 = nil (LITO phases out completely by $66,667)
• Net tax: $13,302.30
• Medicare levy: 2% of $75,941 = $1,518.82 (full levy applies)
• Total deductions: $13,302.30 + $1,518.82 = $14,821.12
• Estimated take-home pay: $61,119.88 per year (about $2,350 per fortnight)

This is an estimate only. It excludes HELP/HECS repayments, the Medicare levy surcharge, salary sacrifice arrangements, and payroll tax-table rounding. Your actual take-home may differ.

Why your teachers salary might not match your take-home

Many teachers are surprised that their fortnightly pay is lower than expected. Common reasons:

• Super is not included – if your salary is quoted as a package, the super component is deducted before you see it.
• Tax is withheld progressively – your employer uses tax tables that may withhold slightly more than your actual liability, which you reclaim at tax time.
• Medicare levy – at full-time salaries, you almost always pay the full 2%.
• Salary packaging – if you salary sacrifice for a car, laptop, or other benefits, your taxable income reduces but your take-home also reduces because the sacrifice comes out before tax.

Claiming deductions to boost your take-home

The Australian Taxation Office provides a guide for teachers on work-related deductions. You can claim expenses such as:

• Classroom resources and stationery
• Professional development courses
• Travel between work sites
• Home office expenses if you work from home

Keeping receipts and a logbook is essential. Deductions reduce your taxable income, which can lower the tax you pay and increase your refund or reduce your bill.

Key takeaways

• Your teachers salary as advertised is your gross pay. Super is extra unless stated otherwise.
• Take-home pay is gross minus tax and Medicare. Use our Take-home pay tool to estimate yours.
• The Tax and Medicare page explains the rates and thresholds in detail.
• Always check your pay slip to see what's being deducted and confirm your employer is paying the correct super.

If you're comparing job offers, look at the total remuneration package but also calculate what you'll actually bank each fortnight. That's the number that matters for your budget.