What is the Relief Teacher Pay in NSW?

(Last Updated On: September 8, 2023)

This article covers the pay rates for Casual Relief Teachers in New South Wales. For salary rates for full-time classroom teachers, see What is the Pay Rate for NSW Teachers?

Summary:

Public school relief teacher pay rates.

Casual relief teachers working in NSW public schools will be paid between $381.41 and $460.01 per day from the beginning of 2022.

The exact pay rate that you receive will be based on what tier you are on, which is based on experience. You can find your exact pay rate in the table below:

BandDaily rate from 1/1/2020Daily rate from 1/1/2021Daily rate from 1/1/2022
1$365.45$373.78$381.41
2$440.76$450.81$460.01
Source

See more: How to Increase Your Salary as a Teacher.

If you are just starting your teaching career, you will get paid at the Band 1 rate. You will only be able to move up to the Band 2 rate once you have worked for the full-time equivalent of two years. 

This doesn’t mean that you move up to Band 2 automatically after your second year as a relief teacher. As a casual relief teacher, it is unlikely that you will be working every day. You will need to have worked for the same number of days as there are school days in two years.

In addition to having worked for the equivalent of two years, you will also need to have moved from the Graduate career stage to the Proficient career stage.

See more: How Much Tax Should Relief Teachers Pay?

Catholic school relief teacher pay rates

As a relief teacher in a NSW Catholic school, you will also be paid a daily rate. If you are working as a casual relief teacher in Catholic schools, you will be paid between $337.06 and $450.81 as of 2021 depending on your experience.

You can calculate your exact pay rate from the table below:

ClassificationDaily pay rate from 1/7/2020Half-day pay rate from 1/7/2020Daily pay rate from 1/7/2021Half-day pay rate from 1/7/2021
Conditionally Accredited Teacher (Level 1)$329.54$164.77$337.06$168.53
Conditionally Accredited Teacher (Level 2)$365.44$182.72$373.77$186.89
Band 1 (Graduate)$365.44$182.72$373.77$186.89
Band 2 (Proficient)$440.76$220.38$450.81$225.41
Source

NSW Catholic Education also gives specific rates for half days. Like in NSW public schools, there are two Bands and a teacher can move up to the second band if they have become a certified Proficient teacher.

See more: Is it Worth Becoming a Permanent Relief Teacher?

Independent school relief teacher pay rates.

There are a number of Independent schools across NSW that will set their own pay rates. If you are a relief teacher who is thinking about working in an Independent school, you will need to contact the school directly to find out how much you would be paid. 

While public and Catholic schools in NSW are all governed by the same office, Independent schools work independently and each of them will pay a different rate to their relief teachers.

See more: 3 Skills All Principals Look For in a Relief Teacher

Do the pay rates for NSW relief teachers increase?

You will notice that the above table only goes up to 2021. This is because at the time of writing, the Catholic Education Office is in the middle of a new bargaining period. These pay rates will continue to rise by a certain percentage each year, but the percentage has not been determined yet. The pay rates in public schools will also increase by a percentage each year. 

As these pay increases occur every year, the new agreement may start from 2022. If this is the case, you will still be paid the extra percentage as backpay once everything is finalised.

A NSW relief teacher is sitting at a desk looking at his laptop. He has a smile on his face because he's just been paid.

See more: How to Make Sure You Get Paid as a Relief Teacher

You will also move up tiers or bands as you become more experienced. Just like in the ACT, NSW casual relief teachers only have two different pay tiers. Both of these are dependent on a certain amount of time at a full-time teaching load as well as achieving your Proficient teacher certification. It can be much more difficult for relief teachers to accumulate enough days to move up a tier as you are unlikely to be working every day, and it is also more difficult to move to the Proficient career stage if you do not have a school supporting you.

If you have the required experience to move up a tier but your teaching experience was in another state, overseas, or in a different sector, you will be able to contact your previous schools to get a statement of service. You can submit this to your current employer (whether that’s an individual school, the Department for Education or the Catholic Education Office) and get your teaching experience recognised. Independent schools may also recognise your experience, but this will be up to the individual school.

See more: How to Pick a Realistic Side Hustle as a Teacher

How do the pay rates for relief teachers in the NSW compare to elsewhere in Australia?

Click on the below links to find out how relief teachers are paid in other states and territories around Australia:

WA

SA

VIC

NT

QLD

ACT

TAS

See more:

Work, Health and Safety in NSW Public Schools

Flexible Working Arrangements in NSW Schools

Understanding Allowances for NSW Schools: A Comprehensive Guide

Understanding Casual Teachers’ Pay and Entitlements in NSW

Elise is an enthusiastic and passionate Australian teacher who is on a mission to inspire and support fellow educators. With over a decade of experience in the classroom, Elise leverages her expertise and creativity to provide valuable insights and resources through her blog. Whether you're looking for innovative lesson ideas, effective teaching strategies, or just a dose of inspiration, Elise has got you covered.

Related Posts

Navigating Teaching Opportunities with a Criminal Record: A Guide for Educators

For teachers, concerns can be even greater due to the nature of their work. However, having a criminal record doesn’t automatically disqualify you from teaching.

International Criminal History Checks: A Guide for Teachers

These checks are a standard part of the hiring process for most schools worldwide and can have a significant impact on your ability to secure employment.

TEFL vs TESOL: A Comprehensive Comparison for Teachers

While they may seem similar in many respects, there are subtle differences that can impact your teaching career. This guide offers an in-depth comparison of TEFL and TESOL to help you choose the right certification for your needs.

Getting Your TEFL/TESOL: A Comprehensive Study Guide

This guide is designed to provide effective strategies to help you study for your TEFL/TESOL course and excel in your future English teaching career.

Decoding TEFL/TESOL: An Insightful Guide to English Teaching Certifications

If you’re considering a career in English language teaching, this guide will help you understand these certifications and how to obtain them.

A Comprehensive Guide for Teaching in China

If you’re contemplating a teaching career in China, this guide will provide you with the necessary insights to make an informed decision.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *