Background: Teacher welfare is a strategic factor influencing professionalism, motivation, and educational quality, yet significant disparities remain between Indonesia and developed countries. Objective: This study compares teacher welfare in Indonesia with the United States and Australia to identify policy implications for improving educational quality. Method: A qualitative comparative approach was employed using semi structured interviews, focus group discussions, and document analysis of policy reports and scholarly publications. Data were analyzed through the interactive model of Miles, Huberman, and SaldaƱa, including data condensation, data display, and conclusion verification. Results: The findings reveal that Indonesian teachers experience income disparities, unequal access to professional development, excessive administrative workloads, and limited psychological support. In contrast, the United States and Australia provide competitive salaries, structured career pathways, continuous professional development, mental health services, and work life balance policies. Conclusion: Indonesia should adopt a holistic teacher welfare framework integrating economic, professional, and psychological dimensions. Originality/Value: This study provides novel empirical and comparative insights in the field of educational policy and teacher workforce management by revealing multidimensional disparities spanning income inequality, unequal professional development opportunities, excessive administrative burdens, and scarce psychological support regarding teacher welfare systems within the context of a cross national comparative analysis between Indonesia, the United States, and Australia, which has been underexplored holistically. These findings enrich empirical evidence and serve as a strategic reference for formulating holistic, evidence based, and sustainable teacher welfare policies aimed at enhancing teacher professionalism and nationwide educational quality.
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