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The IEU’s updated analysis of salaries at 1 May 2026 shows continued incremental improvement across the sector, driven by scheduled Enterprise Agreement increases rather than widespread bargaining outcomes.

However, large gaps between employers persist, with differences of more than $50,000 at both entry and top levels.

Beginning Teachers (Step 3 unless stated)

Using the May 2026 data:

• Average: $88,392
• Median: $88,824
• Range: $61,418 – $115,475
• Difference: $54,057

Movement since March 2026

• Increase of approximately $300–$500 on average or 0.3–0.5% since March

The Best (Beginner)

Highest paying:

• Indie School (Level 9): $115,475
• St Peter’s College: $100,757

SA now has two schools that are paying over $100,000 to beginning teachers. This is an important development for teacher entry level salaries at time housing affordability reaches crisis levels.

Top Step Teachers (Step 10 unless stated)

Using May 2026:

• Average: $119,842
• Median: $120,887
• Range: $79,011 – $133,257
• Difference: $54,246

Movement since March 2026

• Increase of approx. $600–$800 or 0.5–0.7% since March

The Best (TST)

Highest paying:

• Seaview Christian College: $133,257
• St Peter’s College: $133,564
• Prince Alfred College: $129,882

Top-end union negotiated agreements in schools now exceed the lowest employers by over $50,000 annually.

Education Support Officer (Grade 2 Year 3 unless stated)

Using May 2026:

• Average: $74,284
• Median: $75,274
• Range: $50,795 – $82,135
• Difference: $31,340

The Best (ESO)

Highest paying:

• Trinity College: $82,135
• Prince Alfred College: $82,126
• Suneden Specialist School: $79,525
• DfE equivalent: $79,526

ESO disparities remain significant. While schools across the independent sector for top step teachers use Department for Education (DfE) as a benchmark, for general staff this is not the case, and salaries are often significantly lower than the public sector. The employers together have actively supressed general staff salaries

Inflation Context (Australian Bureau of Statstics Consumer Price Index)

Latest ABS CPI data shows inflation accelerating again:

• The Annual CPI (March 2026) is 4.6%. Up from:  3.7% (Feb 2026) and 3.8% (late 2025)

What this means

• Inflation at 4.6%   real wages still going backwards if the increase is less than 4.6%
• Only the strongest agreements are keeping pace

Key Bargaining Insights

1. Union agreements deliver clearly better outcomes

• Top EA schools exceed:
  • Entry: +$25k–$50k
  • Top step: +$30k–$50k
• Strong correlation between IEU coverage and salary outcomes

2. Non-union / expired agreements falling behind

• Flat salary line salaries in expired and non-union agreements have led to greater salary inequality across the sector. Those on these agreements or reliant on the award face significant disadvantage.
• The ACTU advocacy (of which the IEU is apart) will be important for these workers
• Workers have faced real wage cuts when CPI is considered

Conclusion

The May 2026 data confirm:

1. 1. • Salaries are still increasing, but only modestly
      • Inflation is outpacing many agreements
      • The gap between best and worst employers remains extreme

Most importantly:

Where members are organised, salaries are significantly higher
Where they are not, wages stagnate or fall behind inflation

Note: Based on IEU salary dataset current to 1 May 2026. Some recently approved agreements may not yet be reflected. E&OE.