Education Pay Rates 2025-26
Minimum pay rates for education workers in Australia under the Educational Services Award. Updated 1 July 2025.
Last verified: 1 July 2025Education Minimum Pay Rate
Educational Services (Post-Secondary Education) Award 2020 (MA000023)
$24.10
Base rate/hr
$30.13
Casual rate/hr
The minimum pay rate for education workers is $24.10/hr under the Educational Services Award. Casuals receive $30.13/hr (base + 25% loading). Rates effective from 1 July 2025.
Teachers' aides, school support staff, and education workers outside of universities are covered by the Educational Services (Teachers) Award. Whether you're a classroom assistant, lab technician, or school admin officer, these are the minimum rates your employer must meet.
Education Classification Rates
| Level | Classification | Base Rate/hr | Casual Rate/hr | Annual (38hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Education Support Level 1 | $24.10 | $30.13 | $47,621.60 |
| Level 2 | Education Support Level 2 | $25.52 | $31.90 | $50,427.52 |
| Level 3 | Education Support Level 3 | $27.10 | $33.88 | $53,549.60 |
| Level 4 | Education Support Level 4 | $29.84 | $37.30 | $58,963.84 |
| Level 5 | Education Support Level 5 | $32.15 | $40.19 | $63,528.40 |
Rates effective from 1 July 2025 under the Educational Services (Post-Secondary Education) Award 2020. Casual rates include 25% loading.
Casual Education Pay Rates
Casual workers get a 25% loading on top of the base rate. This compensates for no paid leave, no notice period, and no redundancy pay. Here's what that looks like for each level:
| Level | Base Rate | + 25% Loading | Casual Rate/hr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | $24.10 | +$6.03 | $30.13 |
| Level 2 | $25.52 | +$6.38 | $31.90 |
| Level 3 | $27.10 | +$6.78 | $33.88 |
| Level 4 | $29.84 | +$7.46 | $37.30 |
| Level 5 | $32.15 | +$8.04 | $40.19 |
Education Penalty Rates
Penalty rates are calculated on the base rate (Level 1: $24.10/hr). Casual employees receive penalty rates on their base rate before casual loading is applied.
Saturday
$36.15/hr
1.5x base
Sunday
$48.20/hr
2x base
Public Holiday
$60.25/hr
2.5x base
| Penalty Type | Multiplier | Level 1 Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday | 1.5x | $36.15/hr |
| Sunday | 2x | $48.20/hr |
| Public Holiday | 2.5x | $60.25/hr |
| Overtime (first 2 hours) | 1.5x | $36.15/hr |
| Overtime (after 2 hours) | 2x | $48.20/hr |
Full Educational Services Award Details
View the complete Educational Services Award including all classification levels, break rules, allowances, and more.
View Full Educational Services Award Pay Rates →Getting Paid Less Than This?
If your payslip shows less than $24.10/hr (or $30.13/hr casual), you might be getting underpaid. It happens more than you'd think in education. Use our underpaid checker to calculate what you're actually owed.
Check If You're Underpaid →Pay Rates by Industry
Education Pay Rates FAQ
What is the minimum pay rate for education support workers in 2026?
The minimum base rate for education support workers is $25.52/hr (Level 1) under the Educational Services Award. Casual workers receive $31.90/hr including the 25% casual loading. Rates took effect from 1 July 2025.
Do education workers get penalty rates?
Yes. Saturday pays 1.5x, Sunday pays 2.0x, and public holidays pay 2.5x your base rate. However, most education roles are Monday to Friday during school terms, so penalties are less commonly triggered than in other industries.
What are the classification levels in the Educational Services Award?
There are multiple levels based on qualifications and duties. Level 1 covers entry-level support staff ($25.52/hr). Higher levels cover qualified teachers' aides, coordinators, and senior education workers with higher base rates.
Are teachers underpaid under the award?
Most teachers in government schools work under enterprise agreements that pay above the award. However, some private tutoring companies, small private schools, and after-school care providers do rely on award rates, which can result in lower pay than the public sector.
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General information and estimates only — not legal, financial, or tax advice. Always verify with the Fair Work Ombudsman (13 13 94) or a qualified professional.
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