Tens of thousands of NSW public school teachers are receiving their latest salary increase this week, with some earning up to $20,000 more than they did before the state’s recent pay reforms.
The increase is the final three per cent of an overall nine per cent pay rise over three years, introduced as part of efforts to improve teacher recruitment and retention across NSW public schools.
Starting salaries for NSW public school teachers have increased from $75,791 to $92,882, while salaries for experienced classroom teachers at the top of the scale have risen from $113,042 to $133,422.
The latest increase continues a broader uplift in teacher pay and conditions introduced after the NSW Government removed the previous public sector wages cap.
Teacher workforce shortages have been a major focus of the reforms. The NSW Department of Education says teacher vacancies are now at a 12-year low, while resignation and retirement rates have also declined.
The Department’s latest available annual report showed the resignation rate among permanent teachers fell from 3.8 per cent in 2023 to 3.2 per cent in 2024, while the permanent teacher vacancy rate had fallen to 2.2 per cent.
The pay changes have been accompanied by measures aimed at improving job security across the public school system.
Since July 2023, more than 25,000 teachers and school support staff previously employed on temporary contracts have moved into permanent roles, including 14,672 teachers and 10,363 school staff.
The government has also introduced curriculum and classroom reforms focused on early literacy and numeracy, targeted student support and implementation of the new NSW Curriculum.
These workforce measures are being delivered alongside a $9.2 billion school infrastructure program, funding new and upgraded public schools across NSW.
NSW Education Minister Prue Car said higher salaries and improved conditions were intended to make teaching more competitive and provide greater workforce stability in public schools.
The latest salary increase is now reflected in teacher pay from October 2026.