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Queensland vs Western Australia: teacher pay 2026

Queensland's rates are being decided in arbitration, so this page doesn't say which pays more.

Which pays more?

Queensland: rates being decided in arbitration: not ranked. In arbitration, interim rise in effect

FigureQLDWADifference
First year$90,164$88,178not compared
Top of the classroom scale$127,549$127,737not compared
Steps to the top11 steps9 levels—

Not compared: Queensland's rates are being decided in arbitration. Disputed and proposed rates are never ranked.

Base salary for public school teachers at today's rates, before tax. Differences only where both states' rates are decided.

After tax, and the dates

Queensland

First year

$90,164

$2,713 a fortnight after tax

Top of scale

$127,549

$3,688 a fortnight after tax

Rates since 1 Sep 2026. The Queensland page

Western Australia

First year

$88,178

$2,662 a fortnight after tax

Top of scale

$127,737

$3,693 a fortnight after tax

Rates since 6 Dec 2025. The Western Australia page

Side by side, as usual

What happens next with pay?

Queensland

Being decided

In arbitration, interim rise in effect

What happens next in Queensland

Western Australia

Nothing decided yet

The WA agreement ends 5 Dec 2026. Rises are usually backdated when a new one arrives.

What happens next in Western Australia

Employer super

Queensland

12.75% of salary, paid by the employer on top. Source

Western Australia

12% of salary, paid by the employer on top. Source

Registering to teach

Queensland

$107.64 each year. Source

Western Australia

$95 each year. Source

Country and remote schools

Queensland

6 payments for country and remote schools, on top of salary.

What each school gets, on the Pay map

Western Australia

5 payments for country and remote schools, on top of salary.

What each school gets, on the Pay map

Moving between QLD and WA

Moving from QLD to WA

Start at Level 2.1, up to Level 2.9 · Assessed case by case

Experience is assessed after you start, from statements of service. The Department publishes no formula or ceiling. Source

The Western Australia rule · Compare every state on Moving states

Moving from WA to QLD

Start at Band 2 Step 1, up to Band 3 Step 4 · Years counted

Prior teaching service is recognised at 100%, 50% or 33% depending on the kind of service. Apply within one month of starting. A late application takes effect only once it is received. Source

The Queensland rule · Compare every state on Moving states

Also shown, not compared

What do relief and casual teachers earn?

Queensland

$515.75

a day, Supply teacher, from 1 Sep 2026. Includes a 25% loading. Source

Western Australia

No daily rate printed. See the casual pay page.

Plan a year of relief work

Every step, side by side

Queensland

  1. EST Step 2 · top

    $127,549

    $3,688 a fortnight after tax

    +$0

  2. EST Step 1

    $127,549

    $3,688 a fortnight after tax

    +$2,948

  3. Senior Teacher

    $124,601

    $3,611 a fortnight after tax

    +$5,244

  4. Band 3 Step 4

    $119,357

    $3,474 a fortnight after tax

    +$4,096

  5. Band 3 Step 3

    $115,261

    $3,368 a fortnight after tax

    +$3,783

  6. Band 3 Step 2

    $111,478

    $3,269 a fortnight after tax

    +$3,835

  7. Band 3 Step 1

    $107,643

    $3,169 a fortnight after tax

    +$3,861

  8. Band 2 Step 4

    $103,782

    $3,068 a fortnight after tax

    +$4,566

  9. Band 2 Step 3

    $99,216

    $2,949 a fortnight after tax

    +$4,617

  10. Band 2 Step 2

    $94,599

    $2,829 a fortnight after tax

    +$4,435

  11. Band 2 Step 1 · first year

    $90,164

    $2,713 a fortnight after tax

Every classification in Queensland

Western Australia

  1. Level 2.9 · top

    $127,737

    $3,693 a fortnight after tax

    +$4,596

  2. Level 2.8

    $123,141

    $3,573 a fortnight after tax

    +$4,273

  3. Level 2.7

    $118,868

    $3,462 a fortnight after tax

    +$4,048

  4. Level 2.6

    $114,820

    $3,356 a fortnight after tax

    +$3,895

  5. Level 2.5

    $110,925

    $3,255 a fortnight after tax

    +$3,750

  6. Level 2.4

    $107,175

    $3,157 a fortnight after tax

    +$3,607

  7. Level 2.3

    $103,568

    $3,063 a fortnight after tax

    +$7,941

  8. Level 2.2

    $95,627

    $2,856 a fortnight after tax

    +$7,449

  9. Level 2.1 · first year

    $88,178

    $2,662 a fortnight after tax

Every classification in Western Australia

Steps aren't the same length in each state, so compare first year and top rather than step by step.

See sources (13) ▾

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