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SA · Salary
SA Teacher Salary 2026:
Pay Scales, Steps,
and What to Expect
South Australia's full 2026 teacher pay scale: 9 steps, progression rules, CESA Catholic pay, independent school ranges, and country incentives.
Information is general in nature. Salary figures reflect the SA School and Preschool Education Staff Enterprise Agreement 2024 unless otherwise noted. Always verify current rates with SA DfE or education.sa.gov.au before relying on specific amounts.
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SA Teacher Salary 2026 — Pay Scales, Steps, and What to Expect
About this guide

This guide is for South Australian teachers and those considering a move to SA who want to understand how teacher pay actually works in the state. It covers the government school pay scale (9-step, EA 2024), the permanent/contract rate split, CESA Catholic pay, independent school salary ranges, the Country Incentive Zone Allowance, and take-home pay examples. Figures reflect the EA 2024 schedule (3% increase from May 2026) unless otherwise noted.

Contents
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SA Teacher Salary 2026 — Pay Scales, Steps, and What to Expect
01
Section one
How SA's teacher pay
structure works

SA DfE teachers are employed under a single 9-tier scale under the South Australian School and Preschool Education Staff Enterprise Agreement 2024. What makes SA distinct from most other states is a permanent/contract split within the same tier system, and that progression is tied to service days rather than performance reviews.

Permanent vs contract rates
C
Contract teachers (fixed-term/temporary)
Higher entry rate. Most graduate teachers commence on a contract — the contract Tier 1 rate ($86,111 from 8 May 2026) is the relevant "starting salary" for most new entrants.
P
Permanent teachers (ongoing appointments)
A slightly lower rate at the same step ($84,971 at Step 1 from 8 May 2026), alongside guaranteed employment security and greater job protections. The ~$74,000 figure sometimes quoted is the Special Authority rate for unqualified teachers, not a graduate rate.

The Department publishes two columns. Contract Tier 1 is $86,111 and permanent Step 1 is $84,971, $1,140 apart. Most new graduates commence on a fixed-term contract, so the contract figure is the one most will see first, but neither is the ~$74,000 sometimes quoted, which is the Special Authority rate for unqualified teachers.

How you progress through the steps

Steps 1–8 are automatic. Every 207 duty days of service (roughly one full school year of full-time teaching), you advance one step. At one step per year, a full-time teacher reaches Step 8 after approximately seven years of service.

Step 9 is not automatic. Reaching the top of the scale requires a formal reclassification application based on demonstrated competency, academic qualifications, and/or length of teaching service. Most teachers who qualify delay their application unnecessarily.

Reclassification at any step: teachers can also apply for placement above Step 1 based on prior qualifications or recognised service from another system. If you have experience from interstate or overseas, apply for reclassification at appointment — don't default to Tier 1.

Full TRB SA registration is required to progress beyond Step 4. Provisional registration is sufficient for Steps 1–4. [Source: education.sa.gov.au, May 2026]

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SA Teacher Salary 2026 — Pay Scales, Steps, and What to Expect
02
Section two
The 2026 SA DfE pay scale

Estimated rates for May 2026 (EA 2024 schedule, 3% increase from first full pay period on or after 1 May 2026). May 2025 confirmed base rates are included for reference.

Tier Est. Contract Annual (May 2026) Est. Permanent Annual (May 2026) May 2025 Contract (confirmed)
Tier 1$86,111$84,971$83,603
Tier 2$90,516$89,350$87,880
Tier 3$94,901$93,735$92,137
Tier 4$99,279$98,113$96,387
Tier 5$103,675$102,509$100,655
Tier 6$108,056$106,890$104,909
Tier 7$112,435$111,269$109,160
Tier 8$118,363$117,198$114,916
Tier 9$124,402$123,236$120,779
Figures from the SA School and Preschool Education Staff Enterprise Agreement 2024, Schedule 1.1, effective 8 May 2026. Superseded note, previously estimated by applying 3% per EA 2024 schedule. Verify exact figures against the official School Teachers Award Web Rates May 2026 at education.sa.gov.au before relying on specific amounts.
Above-scale positions (require application and selection)
Role Approx. Annual (May 2026)
Advanced Skills Teacher 2 / Key Teacher$127,798
Highly Accomplished Teacher (HAT)$133,736
Lead Teacher$141,365

HAT is a position, not a certification. In SA DfE, the Highly Accomplished Teacher role is a contracted position linked to AITSL HALT recognition. Achieving HALT accreditation does not automatically increase your salary — you must apply for and be appointed to a designated HAT position. Principal class salaries vary by school band and are beyond the scope of this guide.

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SA Teacher Salary 2026 — Pay Scales, Steps, and What to Expect
03
Section three
CESA (Catholic) school pay

Catholic school teachers in SA are employed under the SA Catholic Schools Enterprise Agreement, negotiated between Catholic employing authorities and the Independent Education Union (IEU-SA). CESA is the system employer for most SA Catholic schools.

Historically, CESA pay has tracked slightly below SA DfE government rates, making SA one of the few states where Catholic school teachers earn less than their government counterparts. Recent CESA increases of 3% per year (2025 and 2026) match the SA DfE schedule. [Source: IEUSA, May 2026]

CESA Benchmark Pre-2026 (approx.) Est. Post-May 2026 (+3%)
Graduate starting salary$82,659$85,139
Top of classroom scale$116,160$119,645
IEUSA survey data — all SA non-government schools (1 May 2026)
Measure Beginning Teachers Top Step Teachers
Average$88,392$119,842
Median$88,824$120,887
Range (lowest)$61,418$79,011
Range (highest)$115,475$133,257
[Source: IEUSA Salary Trends Across SA Non-Government Schools, 1 May 2026] Averages are pulled by high-paying independent schools. CESA's own rates remain slightly below government at most steps.

The IEU-SA and CESA have agreed that Catholic employer increases will continue to track government school outcomes. As SA DfE rates rise under the EA 2024 schedule, CESA rates are expected to follow at the same percentage. For the current CESA pay scale, contact IEU-SA or check cesa.catholic.edu.au.

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SA Teacher Salary 2026 — Pay Scales, Steps, and What to Expect
04
Section four
Independent school pay in SA

Independent school pay in SA cannot be summarised as a single scale. Each school sets its own terms via an individual enterprise agreement or falls back on the Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020 (national minimum rates). The IEUSA survey (May 2026) documents a $54,000 gap between the lowest and highest-paying SA independent schools at beginning teacher level.

Notable SA independent school rates (May 2026)
School Beginning Teacher Top Step
St Peter's College$100,757$133,564
Prince Alfred College—$129,882
Seaview Christian College—$133,257
Lowest-paying schools$61,418$79,011
[Source: IEUSA Salary Trends Across SA Non-Government Schools, 1 May 2026] Schools at the lower end are typically non-union, small, or faith-based schools relying on Award minimum rates. Schools with IEU-negotiated enterprise agreements consistently outperform those without union coverage.
Questions to ask before accepting an independent school offer
Due diligence for independent school roles
Enterprise agreement? Is there an EA, or are staff on the Award? An EA is a stronger signal of pay above minimum.
Progression? How many steps does the scale have, and what does progression require each year?
Non-contact time? What is the weekly face-to-face teaching allocation? Differences here can be significant.
Super rate? Does the employer contribute above the compulsory 12%?
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SA Teacher Salary 2026 — Pay Scales, Steps, and What to Expect
05
Section five
Country incentives for SA teachers

SA has one of the more transparent country incentive schemes in Australia. The Country Incentive Zone Allowance (CIZA) is paid fortnightly to teachers at eligible schools and continues for as long as you remain at an eligible site — it is not a one-off payment. [Source: education.sa.gov.au, May 2026]

Zone Annual CIZA One-Off Incidentals Example Locations
Zone 2$2,261$589Berri, Bordertown, Port Lincoln
Zone 3$3,986$788Keith, Kingston, Robe
Zone 4$7,031$985Hawker, Kimba, Roxby Downs
Zone 5$11,391$1,179Coober Pedy, APY Lands

Eligibility: permanent and contract teachers appointed to Zone 2–5 schools and preschools. The one-off incidentals payment applies to first permanent appointments in country zones.

Additional country support

Zone 4 package in context. A teacher at Tier 7 (est. $111,269 from May 2026) plus $7,031 CIZA reaches $118,300 gross. With government housing at a 50% discount in a location where comparable accommodation costs $25,000/year, the effective benefit package is considerably higher than the salary figures suggest. Zone 5 (Coober Pedy, APY Lands) offers up to 100% housing discounts plus the $11,391 CIZA.

Teach First in Country: For final-year pre-service teachers, this program secures a guaranteed country teaching position starting January following graduation, along with the standard CIZA from day one. The 2027 intake is expected to open during second semester 2026.

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SA Teacher Salary 2026 — Pay Scales, Steps, and What to Expect
06
Section six
Take-home pay and
interstate comparison

Estimates based on 2025–26 ATO income tax brackets. These do not account for HECS-HELP debt or salary packaging.

Example 1 — New graduate, Adelaide (Contract Tier 3, est. May 2026)
Gross annual salary$94,901
Income tax−$19,258
Medicare levy (2%)−$1,898
Net annual$73,745Net fortnightly: ~$2,836
Employer super (12%)$11,388
Example 2 — Experienced teacher, regional SA (Perm Tier 7 + Zone 4 CIZA)
Base salary (Tier 7 permanent)$111,269
CIZA (Zone 4)+$7,031
Total gross$118,300
Income tax−$26,278
Medicare levy (2%)−$2,366
Net annual$89,656Net fortnightly: ~$3,448
Employer super (12% on base)$13,352

The Zone 4 country allowance adds about $4,781 to net take-home pay after tax, plus any housing discounts and relocation reimbursements. HECS-HELP: from 2025–26 repayments are marginal, 15% of income above the $67,000 threshold, so at $94,901 that is about $4,185 a year. The super guarantee reached 12% on 1 July 2025 and is paid on top of salary.

How SA compares to other states
State Graduate Starting Top of Classroom Scale
NT $96,180 $136,997
NSW $92,882 $133,422
VIC $92,882 $133,456
ACT $91,396 $129,106
WA $88,178 $127,737
QLD $86,600 $126,795
SA $84,971 $123,236
TAS $81,762 $122,393
[Source: the pay scale data behind this site, traced to each state's current agreement or award; rates reflect various effective dates by state] SA ranks seventh of eight state and territory systems for graduate starting pay, ahead of Tasmania only. Its country incentive scheme and comparatively lower cost of living in regional areas partially offset that.
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SA Teacher Salary 2026 — Pay Scales, Steps, and What to Expect
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Six common questions answered
1. What is the starting salary for a teacher in South Australia in 2026?
Most graduates start on a contract (fixed-term) appointment. The contract Tier 1 rate from 8 May 2026 is $86,111 and the permanent Step 1 rate is $84,971, $1,140 apart. Teachers arriving with recognised prior service can be placed above Tier 1 through reclassification, but that is applied for rather than automatic. [Source: SA DfE EA 2024, Schedule 1.1]
2. How long does it take to reach the top of the SA teacher pay scale?
Steps 1–8 are automatic at one step per 207 duty days (roughly one school year). A full-time teacher reaches Step 8 after approximately seven years of service. Step 9 requires a formal reclassification application and is not automatic — typically 8–10 years total. [Source: education.sa.gov.au]
3. How does SA teacher salary compare to NSW and Victoria?
A permanent SA graduate on $84,971 earns about $7,900 less than a graduate in either NSW or Victoria, which both reach $92,882 from October 2026. At the top of the classroom scale, SA ($123,236) sits about $10,200 below both NSW ($133,422) and Victoria ($133,456). SA ranks seventh of eight for graduate starting pay, ahead of Tasmania only.
4. How does CESA Catholic school pay compare to SA government schools?
CESA pay has historically been slightly below SA DfE government rates — unusual nationally, as most states have Catholic pay at or above government levels. Recent CESA increases of 3% per year match the SA DfE schedule. IEU-SA reports CESA graduate starting salary at approximately $82,659 (pre-May 2026 increase), slightly below the SA DfE equivalent. [Source: IEUSA]
5. What is the Country Incentive Zone Allowance and how much is it worth?
The CIZA is a fortnightly allowance paid to teachers at Zone 2–5 country schools and preschools. Annual amounts range from $2,261 (Zone 2) to $11,391 (Zone 5). There is also a one-off incidentals payment of $589–$1,179 for first permanent country appointments, plus housing discounts of 15–100% and relocation expense reimbursement. [Source: education.sa.gov.au, May 2026]
6. What is Step 9 and how do I qualify for it?
Step 9 (~$124,402 from May 2026) is the top step of the SA classroom teacher pay scale. Unlike Steps 1–8, which progress automatically with service, Step 9 requires a formal reclassification application based on demonstrated competency, qualifications, and/or length of service. Many eligible teachers delay unnecessarily. Contact your school HR or the AEU SA for guidance. [Source: education.sa.gov.au]
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