UK teachers are remunerated on the National Pay Spine according to their qualifications and years of service. Australian teachers are assimilated to this scale. A graduate teacher would enter the profession on Spine Point M1 and climb the scale annually to the ceiling point of M6 on the teacher pay scale.

Additional payments are made for managerial and departmental responsibility. Working within the Special Educational Needs sector may also bring additional allowances.

Classroom teachers start on the main pay scale. Teachers working in England and Wales (excluding inner and outer London or the fringe area) are all paid on the England and Wales main pay scale. Teachers working in inner or outer London or the fringe area are paid on separate pay scales, which reflect the higher cost of working and living in London and the surrounding areas. The current pay rates from 1 September 2007 are as follows:

UK MAIN SCALE TEACHER FROM 1 SEPTEMBER 2007
	England and Wales	Inner London	Outer London	Fringe
M1	£20,133	£24,168	£23,118	£21,102
M2	£21,726	£25,548	£24,501	£22,692
M3	£23,472	£27,327	£26,247	£24,438
M4	£25,278	£29,328	£28,053	£26,250
M5	£27,270	£31,584	£30,432	£28,239
M6	£29,427	£33,936	£32,751	£30,393

Teachers usually start on M1. But if they have other teaching experience they may start higher up the scale. Schools may also award discretionary points for other relevant experience. Each school’s pay policy should explain how these points are awarded.

Further guidance on UK Teachers’ Pay and Conditions can be found at:
http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/pay.