NewsExtra: Independent schools and public sector teacher pay
What are the public sector teacher pay rises?
The NSW Government has agreed to pay rises of between 12% and 8% from the beginning of October this year for teachers in government schools. Casual teachers and teachers in promotions positions will also benefit from the pay rises. Pursuant to separate agreements between the IEU and Catholic dioceses, teachers in NSW Catholic dioceses will receive the same increases at the same time as the NSW public sector increases. Support staff pay rates have also increased substantially in both Catholic systemic and government schools in 2023.
Where do AIS schools fit in?
Most schools represented by the Association of Independent Schools (AIS) are covered by multi-enterprise agreements (MEAs) that do not expire until January 2025. These MEAs were negotiated in 2021 in a context of NSW Government policy that limited public sector increases to 2.5%, inclusive of superannuation. The IEU has written to the AIS requesting a meeting about the recent public sector teacher pay rises. The AIS has declined to meet – click here for the correspondence.
Comparison of teacher pay rates
The union also understands casual pay rates will increase significantly, with experienced casual teachers to receive an amount approaching $550 per day, above the rate in AIS MEAs.
The way forward
The IEU believes that pay rates in the AIS MEAs must be re-opened to restore the traditional relativities and ensure rates in independent schools are attractive to both casual and ongoing teachers. The union suggests IEU members meet as a Chapter and form a delegation to discuss the issue with your principal. Your IEU Organiser is available to assist you.
Authorised by Mark Northam, Secretary, Independent Education Union of Australia NSW/ACT Branch
The Briscoe Building 485 – 501 Wattle St Ultimo NSW 2007
P 8202 8900 | E ieu@ieu.asn.au | www.ieu.asn.au