HSC markers information
FAQS
Q. When does marking take place?
The majority of HSC marking takes place outside of school hours. Sometimes, briefing and practice marking sessions take place on schooldays; in such cases, NESA pays for schools to employ relief for any affected markers.
Q. How long does marking normally last?
The marking of written exams generally starts in late October, and usually runs for one-to- two weeks. NESA will send you the start date for marking when they confirm your application has been successful.
Q. How can markers give feedback about marking
Q. What times am I likely to be asked to work?
Day markers
Day marking usually takes one week to complete, starting on a Saturday, and finishing the following Saturday. Dates for day marking are advertised when applications open in March. Markers should discuss arrangements with their Principal prior to applying for marking so that their absence from school can be covered.Also see Q.4.
Day marking hours: Weekdays 9.00am to 5.30pm Saturdays: 8.30am to 4.30pm
Night/Evening markers
The duration of marking will vary from subject to subject, but will usually take approximately two weeks. Start and finish times for marking will be included in your letter of appointment.
Usual hours of marking: Weeknights: 4.00pm to 9.00pm Saturdays: 8.30am to 4.30pm
Onscreen Corporate
Corporate onscreen marking is conducted at a corporate marking venue, on a computer provided by NESA. Generally, when a pen and paper subject transitions to onscreen marking, the first onscreen year will be marked in a corporate venue for the entire marking period. Some onscreen-marked subjects will remain corporate marked.
Hours of marking: Weeknights: 4.00pm to 9.00pm Saturdays: 8.30am to 4.30pm
External Onscreen Markers
External onscreen marking is carried out by markers using a computer at their home or other another secure location. Briefing sessions are conducted at designated corporate venues prior to the start of external marking. As for all types of marking, it is a condition of employment that markers attend all briefing sessions.
Hours of marking: Anytime between 6.00am and midnight
Q. What happens if my briefing session or marking is on during school time?
NESA will pay for the cost of relief to replace teachers who are required to attend weekday briefing sessions and/or weekday marking sessions during the marking period.
By approving applications for marking, Principals agree that teachers are released on full salary when required.
Q. Can the school get paid relief if I’m on LSL during marking?
If the marker is on long service leave during that period, the school cannot claim for relief from NESA.
Q. How much will I get paid?
Click on the link below for the pay rates for HSC Markers in 2018
Q. What is the current meal rate (2018)?
$29.40 is payable to a marker on each day of corporate marking (including briefing and pilot marking sessions) where the marker works for at least an hour before and an hour after the meal break. The requirement for a marker to work before and after a meal break to be paid a meal allowance is waived for LOTE Examiners and LOTE Casuals.
Q. What is the travel allowance?
Markers employed to mark in metropolitan area of Sydney, Wollongong and Newcastle will receive $10.56 per day. Itinerant markers and those marking outside of the metropolitan areas should contact the IEU if unsure of their travel rate or see the Award below.
Q. When will I get paid?
Markers are paid at the conclusion of the HSC examinations. This will often take some time to process; however, BOSTES have committed to processing all pay claims prior to Christmas.
Q. What questions will I be marking?
Generally, markers are briefed to mark a specific question and may be re briefed during marking to mark a different question.
Generally markers are briefed to mark a question. however, they may be re-briefed during marking to mark a different question.
Q. Can the meal break be changed?
Markers at corporate marking sessions are entitled to a meal break of 60 minutes. If a majority of markers elect at the initial briefing sessions to reduce meal breaks (Meal breaks may be reduced by 30 minutes). the time saved by reducing meal breaks may enable the whole group of markers to exercise one of the following options; A later than usual start for marking sessions; or An earlier than usual finish for marking sessions; or A combination of a later start and earlier finish for marking sessions.
The Supervisor of Marking is to conduct the vote. Markers may elect to have no meal break reduction, in which case the whole group starts and finishes marking at the usual times each session.
Q. Can I store and heat up meals during the lunch break?
Yes, NESA provides refrigerators to store food and microwave ovens / pie ovens to heat up food.
Q. Do we get a morning or afternoon tea break?
Yes, employees will be entitled to a morning and afternoon tea break of ten minutes each on each work day which will count as time worked.
Q. What is provided to markers for morning or afternoon tea break?
Tea, coffee, milk, sugar and refrigerator facilities will be provided at each marking centre.
Access of markers to tea and coffee facilities will, at all times, be subject to the directions of the Supervisors of Marking to ensure minimal interruption to the marking process.
Q. Do I need to bring my own cup?
Markers will need to bring their own cups for tea and coffee during marking.
Q. External Onscreen Markers - when can I contact my senior marker?
Senior markers in an external environment must work corporate hours - ie 4.00pm to 9.00pm each evening of the marking period, and 9.00am to 5.00pm each Saturday. These are the hours that senior markers are available to support their markers. Markers may mark at any time between 6.00am and midnight; however, senior markers can only assist their markers during the hours stated above.
Generally, Friday evening are "laynights" for the SOM and senior markers. This means that they are unable to provide support to their markers on these nights. Senior markers will advise their markers of any schedules laynights during briefing.
Q. What is a lay night?
The Supervisor of Marking (SOM) may set aside Friday evenings as "laynights" and markers are not required to attend marking. This usually only occurs when marking is meeting projected timeframes. A word of caution, having Friday night off cannot be guaranteed so be careful if you plan to attend a function such as a year 12 formal on the night.
Q. What happens if I am sick?
HSC markers are employed as casuals and there is no provision in the agreement for sick leave. NESA may not re engage you as a marker after taking time off.
Q. Can I take family leave during HSC marking?
Yes, you are entitled to take family leave. It is unpaid and can be taken up for up to 48 hrs per occasion. Refer to the award or contact the IEU for more details.
Q. What are the notice periods for stopping marking?
Markers will be provided with an indicative finishing date on the first night of the corporate briefing period, but must understand that this date may change, depending on how marking progresses. If the marking completion date needs to be changed, the supervisor of marking will give you 48 hours' notice of the changed time.
Q. How do we elect an IEU rep?
SOM's will allow time on the first day of marking to elect IEU and TF Union representatives.
Q. What happens if I get elected as the rep?
Congratulations! Don't be concerned, we are here to support you.
Please fill out this registration form (it's very quick): https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/V5JQSCR
If you need to contact someone at the IEU, please call and ask for Keith or Mark on 8202 8900 or 1800 467 943.
Q. How can markers give feedback about marking?
To give feedback about marking (either during or after the marking period), please use this form: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/V5Q8JYL
Q. How can I find out more?
Join the HSC Markers Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/134356937519954/