Compare · public school teachers
Western Australia vs South Australia: teacher pay 2026
Western Australia pays $4,501 more at the top of the classroom scale. Western Australia pays $3,207 more in the first year.
Which pays more?
Top of the classroom scale
WA +$4,501 (3.7%)
Western Australia
Rates since 6 Dec 2025. The Western Australia page
South Australia
Rates since 1 May 2026. The South Australia page
After tax, and the dates
Western Australia
Rates since 6 Dec 2025. The Western Australia page
South Australia
Rates since 1 May 2026. The South Australia page
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
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
Steps aren't the same length in each state, so compare first year and top rather than step by step.
More, state by state
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 AustraliaSouth 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 AustraliaWhat do relief and casual teachers earn?
Western Australia
No daily rate printed. See the casual pay page.
South Australia
$355.03 to $590.59
a day, Temporary Relieving Teacher, Special Authority to Temporary Relieving Teacher Tier 9, from 1 May 2026. Includes a 25% loading. Source
Employer super
Country and remote schools
Western Australia
5 payments for country and remote schools, on top of salary.
What each school gets, on the Pay mapSouth Australia
2 payments for country and remote schools, on top of salary.
What each school gets, on the Pay mapMoving between WA and SA
Moving from WA 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
Moving from SA 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
Registering to teach
Western Australia
$95 each year. Source
South Australia
More than one fee applies: see the state page.
See sources (9) ▾Hide sources ▴
- Catholic Education Western Australia Limited: SALARY SCHEDULES September 2026 (Catholic Education Western Australia Limited) (as at 18 Sep 2026)
- Fair Work Commission: South Australian Catholic Schools Enterprise Agreement 2020 (AE517602) (as at 11 Oct 2022)
- 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)
- 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)