Compare · public school teachers
South Australia vs Australian Capital Territory: teacher pay 2026
The ACT's rates are in dispute, so this page doesn't say which pays more.
Which pays more?
Australian Capital Territory: rates in dispute: not ranked. Offer not accepted, dispute continuing
South Australia
Rates since 1 May 2026. The South Australia page
Australian Capital Territory
Rates since 4 Dec 2025. The Australian Capital Territory page
| Figure | SA | ACT | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| First year | $84,971 | $91,396 | not compared |
| Top of the classroom scale | $123,236 | $129,106 | not compared |
| Steps to the top | 9 tiers | 8 levels | — |
Not compared: the Australian Capital Territory's rates are in dispute. 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
South Australia
Rates since 1 May 2026. The South Australia page
Australian Capital Territory
Rates since 4 Dec 2025. The Australian Capital Territory page
Side by side, as usual
What happens next with pay?
South Australia
Nothing decided yet
The SA agreement ends 25 Mar 2027. Rises are usually backdated when a new one arrives.
What happens next in South AustraliaAustralian Capital Territory
Being decided
Offer not accepted, dispute continuing
What happens next in Australian Capital TerritoryEmployer super
Registering to teach
South Australia
More than one fee applies: see the state page.
Australian Capital Territory
$115 each year. Source
Country and remote schools
South Australia
2 payments for country and remote schools, on top of salary.
What each school gets, on the Pay mapAustralian Capital Territory
No country or remote allowances on record for Australian Capital Territory public schools.
What each school gets, on the Pay mapMoving between SA and ACT
Moving from SA to ACT
Start at Level 1, up to Level 8 · Assessed case by case
Prior experience is recognised in full years, including work outside teaching. The detailed guidelines are not published. Source
The Australian Capital Territory rule · Compare every state on Moving states
Moving from ACT to SA
Start at Tier 1, up to Tier 8 · Assessed case by case
Everyone starts on Tier 1, then can apply to be reclassified to a tier between 2 and 8, based on qualifications and length of teaching service. Source
The South Australia rule · Compare every state on Moving states
Also shown, not compared
What do relief and casual teachers earn?
Every step, side by side
South Australia
Tier 9 · top
$3,575 a fortnight after tax
$3,575 a fortnight after tax
+$6,038
Tier 8
$3,418 a fortnight after tax
$3,418 a fortnight after tax
+$5,929
Tier 7
$3,264 a fortnight after tax
$3,264 a fortnight after tax
+$4,379
Tier 6
$3,149 a fortnight after tax
$3,149 a fortnight after tax
+$4,381
Tier 5
$3,035 a fortnight after tax
$3,035 a fortnight after tax
+$4,396
Tier 4
$2,921 a fortnight after tax
$2,921 a fortnight after tax
+$4,378
Tier 3
$2,807 a fortnight after tax
$2,807 a fortnight after tax
+$4,385
Tier 2
$2,692 a fortnight after tax
$2,692 a fortnight after tax
+$4,379
Tier 1 · first year
$2,578 a fortnight after tax
$2,578 a fortnight after tax
Australian Capital Territory
Level 8 · top
$3,728 a fortnight after tax
$3,728 a fortnight after tax
+$1,830
Level 7
$3,681 a fortnight after tax
$3,681 a fortnight after tax
+$7,174
Level 6
$3,494 a fortnight after tax
$3,494 a fortnight after tax
+$7,178
Level 5
$3,307 a fortnight after tax
$3,307 a fortnight after tax
+$4,305
Level 4
$3,194 a fortnight after tax
$3,194 a fortnight after tax
+$4,305
Level 3
$3,082 a fortnight after tax
$3,082 a fortnight after tax
+$4,308
Level 2
$2,970 a fortnight after tax
$2,970 a fortnight after tax
+$8,610
Level 1 · first year
$2,746 a fortnight after tax
$2,746 a fortnight after tax
Steps aren't the same length in each state, so compare first year and top rather than step by step.
See sources (10) ▾Hide sources ▴
- ACT Education Directorate: Pay and benefits (as at 4 Dec 2025)
- ACT Government / Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate: ACT Public Sector Education Directorate (Teaching Staff) Enterprise Agreement 2023-2026 (as at 5 Jan 2023)
- ACT Government / Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate: ACT Public Sector Education Directorate (Teaching Staff) Enterprise Agreement 2023-2026 — Annex A (as at 4 Dec 2025)
- ACT Government / Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate: Explanatory Notes: Education Directorate (Teaching Staff) Enterprise Agreement 2023-2026 (issued June 2023)
- Fair Work Commission: NSW and ACT Catholic Systemic Schools Enterprise Agreement 2025 (AE531578) (as at 24 Dec 2025)
- Fair Work Commission: South Australian Catholic Schools Enterprise Agreement 2020 (AE517602) (as at 11 Oct 2022)
- Fair Work Commission: Teachers (Daramalan College, Marist College Canberra, and St Edmund's College, Canberra) Multi-Enterprise Agreement 2025 (AE529321) (as at 18 Jun 2025)
- SA Department for Education / South Australian Employment Tribunal: South Australian School and Preschool Education Staff Enterprise Agreement 2024 (as at 1 May 2024)
- SA Department for Education: School Teacher Web Rates (as at 8 May 2026)
- Super SA (South Australian Superannuation Board): Understanding your employer obligations (page of 21 September 2026) (as at 21 Sep 2026)