A guide to early childhood teacher salaries in Australia
By Sarah Vercoe
Curious about what you could earn as an early childhood teacher? We’ve gathered the key figures and simple ways to boost your income, so you can get a clear picture of what’s possible.
Early childhood teacher salaries in Australia: an overview
If you’re thinking about becoming an early childhood teacher, there’s plenty to feel excited about. Salaries are going up, and your job options are stronger than ever.
Dr Jennifer Cutri from Swinburne University echoes this good news, revealing: "Full-time employment rates are up to 100% in recent years, with the median starting salary increasing from $63,500 to $70,600."
But these numbers also reflect a bigger shift. “In the last five years, there's been a massive increase in awareness of early childhood education's importance," Dr Cutri explains. "We're getting professional recognition, and salaries are reflecting that.”
This recognition stems from understanding what’s at stake. "By the age of five, a child's brain is 95% developed. Every experience we have with a child shapes how they view the world." The sector is finally compensating teachers for taking on this immense responsibility.
What to expect from your graduate early childhood teacher salary
While starting salaries have gone up, Professor Jeff Brooks from Curtin University says there’s quite a bit of nuance to understand.
“Salary expectations depend on whether you’re in a school or standalone service, your state, qualifications, whether the work is full-time or part-time, and whether the employer is private or government funded,” he explains.
Here’s a breakdown of starting salaries by workplace
Long daycare (private): $65,000-$72,000
Sessional kindergartens: $72,000-$78,000
Government preschools/kindergartens: $73,000-$80,000
School-based settings: $73,000-$82,000
Most roles start at the base of the pay scale with 2–4% annual increases. You’ll typically reach the top after 8–12 years, as your experience grows.
Early childhood teacher salaries by state
Like many professions, salaries for early childhood teachers also vary by state.
Salaries also differ between towns, cities and regions due to demand, so keep that in mind too.
How an early childhood educator salary compares to an early childhood teacher salary
An early childhood educator and early childhood teacher might sound like they have the same role, but they actually have different responsibilities and qualifications, which impacts their salaries.
Understanding early childhood education pay rates and agreements
Your pay isn’t just determined by your role or qualification level – it’s also determined by what award you’re employed under. An award is a government framework that sets minimum pay rates, entitlements, and working conditions.
Understanding which award applies to you is the first step to knowing if your pay is right, and whether you can negotiate or seek change.
Early childhood awards
Australia's early childhood sector operates under two main awards. Which one applies to your role can make a big difference to your take-home pay, your planning time, and your career growth.
In 2012, new regulations were introduced requiring every early learning service to employ at least one qualified early childhood teacher. Many long daycare providers met this requirement by hiring teachers under their existing Children's Services Award instead of the Teachers Award, resulting in lower pay and less planning time for degree-qualified teachers in long daycare.
This has created a significant pay gap between teachers in long daycare and those working in sessional kindergartens or schools – something every educator should be aware of before accepting a role or contract.
From a graduate: what to know about the pay gap
For many educators, earning a degree is the key that unlocks higher pay and professional recognition, but only if you’re employed under the right award.
Tamara Ellis, a Swinburne Online graduate who is now a lecturer with Swinburne Online, experienced this gap firsthand when she transitioned from an educator to a teacher role.
"When I tried negotiating from room leader to early childhood teacher in my long daycare centre, they wouldn't pay an extra 80 cents an hour. I'd been there 12 years. So I applied elsewhere, moving from the Children's Services Award to the Teachers Award, which was $8 more per hour.”
That $8 difference adds up to around $15,000 more a year! For many educators, this kind of increase – and the recognition it represents – is what makes pursuing a teaching degree worthwhile.
Tip: If you’ve recently completed your degree, make sure you’re classified under the Teachers Award, not the Children’s Services Award.
How your award impacts your planning time
Your award doesn’t just influence your pay. It also decides how much time you get to devote to planning, a crucial part of your workload, wellbeing, and the quality of your programs.
"Long daycares generally give you two hours of planning per week. Sessional kindergartens get a full day," Tamara explains. Now a lecturer, she tells students, "If you don't agree you should only get two hours planning weekly, you have the ability to barter with the centre or look elsewhere.”
More planning time means less burnout and better outcomes for children – and for you. If you’re considering a career move or negotiating a contract, knowing what’s standard under your award gives you the confidence to ask for what you’re entitled to.
What to consider when applying for your first role
Tamara advises flipping the interview script. "It's not just the centre interviewing you. You’re interviewing them, too.” Asking the right questions can help you find a workplace that values your skills. Essential ones include:
"Which award governs this position?”
"What classification level will I start at?” (Classification levels indicate your pay step within the award. A higher classification usually means more responsibility and higher pay).
"How much planning time is included each week?”
"What are the steps for salary progression?"
Private vs government: pay differences across settings
Whether you work in a private or government setting can have a big impact on your pay and conditions too.
Government kindergartens: The "cream of the crop”
Higher salaries ($73,000-$82,000 starting), Teachers Awards, generous planning time, school holidays, and strong job security make these positions highly sought-after.
"Sessional kindergarten positions don't come up often because teachers will generally retire there,” Tamara says. “They know they've got the cream of the crop.”
Private long daycare: Where most jobs are
While these offer lower salaries ($65,000-$72,000), the Children's Services Award, and limited planning time (sometimes 2 hours weekly), there are more positions available and they’re more accessible for new graduates.
"Because long daycares have most teaching positions, people just get stuck," Tamara says. "But you can build experience and strategically move.”
How qualifications affect early childhood teacher pay
One last decider is of course your qualification, which can impact not just your salary but also your career trajectory.
A bachelor degree
This is your entry point to early childhood teaching positions and teacher salaries. A bachelor degree is the minimum requirement for registration and access to the Teachers Award in most settings.
A graduate certificate or graduate diploma
These postgraduate qualifications may help increase your classification level, opening doors to specialised roles and a higher salary.
A masters degree
This qualification positions you as an expert in your field, potentially bumping you to higher pay scales and leadership opportunities. Experienced teachers with master degrees can access senior positions with significantly higher salaries.
How to become an early childhood teacher in Australia
If you want to start a career in early childhood teaching, there are multiple ways to get qualified.
With a bachelor degree
The most traditional route is to complete a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education, which is typically 4 years full-time.
With a masters degree
If you already have a bachelor degree in another field, you may be eligible to apply for a Master of Teaching (Early Childhood). This postgraduate qualification recognises your prior study and experience, helping you transition into teaching in as little as two years full-time.
Through an Open Universities Australia Pathway
If you don’t meet the entry requirements for a degree, don’t let that stop you. The below entry pathways are designed to lower your barriers to uni, build your confidence, and help you ease into study, no matter your starting point.
Option 1: The Open Access pathway
Through our partnership with Curtin University, you can begin your early childhood studies right away by enrolling in two of these Open Access subjects:
They’re open to everyone, and no ATAR is required. Complete them successfully (with evidence you meet English language proficiency), and you’ll qualify for direct entry into Curtin’s Bachelor of Early Childhood Education, receiving full credit for what you’ve learnt.
Option 2: The undergraduate certificate pathway
Your other option is to complete an Undergraduate Certificate in Education Studies, also through Curtin University. This is a short, introductory, recognised qualification that is made up of just 4 subjects!
Once you finish, you can move straight into a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education with Curtin or other universities.
Start your early childhood career online
While early childhood education has traditionally been studied on-campus, online learning has made it easier than ever to get qualified on your own terms.
Study with your uni through Open Universities Australia, and you can gain access to additional support, including dedicated advisors who can help you find your best pathway and plan your study around work or family.
Tamara says studying online with Swinburne gave her flexibility and a sense of independence while also allowing her to hone important skills that she was able to take into her teaching career.
“You can continue working and balance family life easier. Online students are more independent with strong problem-solving skills, all qualities that feed into career readiness.”
Take the first step towards the career — and pay — you deserve
Find a course that helps you build a future doing what you love.
FAQs about early childhood teaching salaries
What’s the difference between an early childhood educator and a teacher in terms of pay?
There’s a noticeable gap. Early childhood educators start out on an award that’s thousands of dollars less annually. The biggest difference, though, is the potential to earn more as you progress through your career. Educators have a modest earning ‘ceiling’, while teachers with a bachelor degree or above can progress into higher paying roles. They can earn tens of thousands more.
Are early childhood teacher pay rates the same in childcare and kindergarten settings?
No. In fact, this is one of the biggest pay differences in the sector. Kindergartens use the Educational Services (Teachers) Award, which offers higher pay, more planning time and school holidays. Long daycare uses the Children's Services Award, which means a lower pay rate and less planning time.
Do graduate early childhood teachers earn less?
Yes, but only at the start. Graduates begin at the base of the pay scale ($65,000-$80,000 depending on setting and state) and move up each year. While the median starting salary has seen an increase from $63,500 to $70,600, your starting point varies dramatically depending on your place of employment.
For example, if you’re employed by a government kindergarten, these roles typically offer significantly more pay than long daycare positions.
How do enterprise agreements affect early childhood education pay?
An enterprise agreement is a negotiated workplace agreement between employers and employees that sets out pay and working conditions for a group of workers.
In early childhood education, enterprise agreements can offer better conditions than standard awards, with higher salaries, improved leave, better professional development opportunities, and additional planning time — helping ensure your pay and conditions truly reflect your skills and contribution.
