Early Childhood Teacher salary in Australia
ANZSCO occupation: Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teachers
Last reviewed July 2026
Source: Jobs and Skills Australia — Occupation Profiles (ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025) · 2025 data. Annual figure derived from median weekly earnings × 52.
See your take-home pay on $99,000 →At a glance
- People employed
- 71,900
- Annual employment growth
- +2,700/yr
- 5-yr projected growth
- +5.7%
- Skills shortage rating
- Shortage
- Main industry
- Education and Training
- Works full-time
- 57%
- Avg full-time hours
- 41 hrs/wk
- Works part-time
- 43%
- Female share
- 95%
- Median age
- 37 yrs
Source: Jobs and Skills Australia — Occupation Profiles (ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025) (2025) · Jobs and Skills Australia — Employment Projections (May 2025 to May 2030), produced with Victoria University (2025) · Jobs and Skills Australia — 2025 Occupation Shortage List (unit-group level) (2025)
What does a early childhood teacher do?
Early Childhood (Pre-Primary School) Teachers teach the basics of numeracy, literacy, music, art and literature to early childhood (pre-primary) students and promote students' social, emotional, intellectual and physical development.
- Planning and structuring learning in both indoor and outdoor environments using a variety of materials and equipment to facilitate students' development
- Providing a variety of experiences and activities to develop motor skills, cooperative social skills, confidence and understanding
- Promoting language development through story telling, role play, songs, rhymes and informal discussions held individually and within groups
- Observing students to evaluate progress and to detect signs of ill health, emotional disturbance and other disabilities
- Observing nutritional health, welfare and safety needs of students and identifying factors which may impede students' progress
- Discussing students' progress with parents
- Attending parent interviews, and staff and committee meetings
- Participating in community and family support programs as appropriate
- Supervising student teachers on placement
How to become a early childhood teacher
Typical education for this occupation, and courses that lead to it.
Education held by people in this role
Courses to get started
Where early childhood teachers are employed
Share of workers by state and territory (employment distribution, not pay).
Early Childhood Teacher jobs
Related occupations
Jobs that pay similar to a early childhood teacher
Frequently asked questions
How much does a early childhood teacher earn in Australia?
The median early childhood teacher earns $99,112 per year ($1,906 per week, or about $50/hour), based on Jobs and Skills Australia — Occupation Profiles (ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025) (2025).
What qualifications do you need to be a early childhood teacher?
Most early childhood teachers hold a bachelor degree (60.4% of workers). Pathways vary — see typical courses above.
Is early childhood teacher a job in demand in Australia?
Around 71,900 early childhood teachers are employed in Australia. Employment is changing by about +2,700 workers per year.
Earnings, employment and education data: Jobs and Skills Australia — Occupation Profiles (ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025) (2025). Used under CC BY 4.0.
Employment projections: Jobs and Skills Australia — Employment Projections (May 2025 to May 2030), produced with Victoria University (2025). Used under CC BY 4.0.
Skills shortage ratings: Jobs and Skills Australia — 2025 Occupation Shortage List (unit-group level) (2025). Used under CC BY 4.0.
The ABS median refers to full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate; individual pay varies. Annual figures derived from median weekly earnings × 52. Figures are estimates for guidance only.