Compare · public school teachers
Western 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
Western Australia
Rates since 6 Dec 2025. The Western Australia page
Australian Capital Territory
Rates since 4 Dec 2025. The Australian Capital Territory page
| Figure | WA | ACT | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| First year | $88,178 | $91,396 | not compared |
| Top of the classroom scale | $127,737 | $129,106 | not compared |
| Steps to the top | 9 levels | 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
Western Australia
Rates since 6 Dec 2025. The Western 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?
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 AustraliaAustralian Capital Territory
Being decided
Offer not accepted, dispute continuing
What happens next in Australian Capital TerritoryEmployer super
Registering to teach
Country and remote schools
Western Australia
5 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 WA and ACT
Moving from WA 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 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
Also shown, not compared
What do relief and casual teachers earn?
Western Australia
No daily rate printed. See the casual pay page.
Australian Capital Territory
$329.00 to $558.00
a day, Permit to Teach casual to Casual teacher rate 2, from 4 Dec 2025. Source
Every step, side by side
Western Australia
Level 2.9 · top
$3,693 a fortnight after tax
$3,693 a fortnight after tax
+$4,596
Level 2.8
$3,573 a fortnight after tax
$3,573 a fortnight after tax
+$4,273
Level 2.7
$3,462 a fortnight after tax
$3,462 a fortnight after tax
+$4,048
Level 2.6
$3,356 a fortnight after tax
$3,356 a fortnight after tax
+$3,895
Level 2.5
$3,255 a fortnight after tax
$3,255 a fortnight after tax
+$3,750
Level 2.4
$3,157 a fortnight after tax
$3,157 a fortnight after tax
+$3,607
Level 2.3
$3,063 a fortnight after tax
$3,063 a fortnight after tax
+$7,941
Level 2.2
$2,856 a fortnight after tax
$2,856 a fortnight after tax
+$7,449
Level 2.1 · first year
$2,662 a fortnight after tax
$2,662 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 (11) ▾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)
- Catholic Education Western Australia Limited: SALARY SCHEDULES September 2026 (Catholic Education Western Australia Limited) (as at 18 Sep 2026)
- Fair Work Commission: NSW and ACT Catholic Systemic Schools Enterprise Agreement 2025 (AE531578) (as at 24 Dec 2025)
- 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)
- WA Department of Treasury and Finance: Superannuation guarantee contributions (page of 8 September 2026) (as at 8 Sep 2026)
- Western Australian Department of Education: Incentives and allowances (Attraction and Retention Initiative, CTP and MTP counts)
- Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission: District Allowance (Government Officers) General Agreement 2010, PSAAG 7/2010, registered 31 August 2010 (as at 31 Aug 2010)
- Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission: School Education Act Employees' (Teachers and Administrators) General Agreement 2023 (2024 WAIRC 00949) (as at 6 Dec 2025)