NSW teachers secure pay rise and cost-of-living boost amid inflation pressures

NSW teachers are set to receive a pay increase and cash boost to combat the cost-of-living crisis.

Under a new agreement between the NSW Teachers Federation and the NSW Government, teachers will receive an annual salary increase of 3 per cent for the next three years, with additional 0.5 per cent superannuation increases in 2024 and 2025.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Win for NSW teachers following strike.

They will also receive annual $1000 cost-of-living adjustments if inflation exceeds 4.5 per cent.

The deal comes after schools started late on Monday, as tens of thousands of teachers across the state met from 8.30am to 10am to discuss the proposal.

Schools had “minimal supervision” available for students while teachers voted on the agreement and parents were asked to keep their children home until after the meeting if possible.

“This agreement maintains the structural reset of teacher salaries we achieved last year after a decade of wage suppression under the previous government,” federation president Henry Rajendra said.

“It ensures our pay keeps pace with inflation while remaining competitive with other jurisdictions — critical factors in attracting and retaining the teachers our students need.”

Under the agreement, teachers will also receive additional school development days from next year, a new consultation framework for teachers’ work and changes to assessment and professional learning practices.

New flexible working arrangements will now support teachers throughout their careers, which Rajendra said particularly benefits the profession’s 80 per cent female workforce.

This could mean two teachers could split a full-time job in order to fill critical gaps in the workforce.

‘‘The federation is delighted with this agreement which acknowledges and respects the gendered nature of the teaching profession by delivering on working conditions which address the gender pay gap and value the multiplicity of work, family and care responsibilities our members undertake,’’ Rajendra said.

“These improvements show greater respect from the employer — respect that has been absent for far too long.

“They begin to address the unmanageable workloads that have driven resignation rates above retirement rates and exacerbated the teacher shortage crisis.”

Teachers are the “cornerstone of our education system”, NSW Education Minister Prue Car said

“Pay is a function of respect,” Car said.

“I’m so pleased to see that teachers will continue to benefit from our once-in-a-generation pay agreement.

“Having teachers in our classrooms, providing the high-quality learning to students — it’s everything.

“It’s the key to improving learning outcomes in our state.

“By offering improved conditions and a greater work-life balance, we want to attract new teachers and retain the existing ones.

“Teacher vacancies are down by 24 per cent year on year, and this really demonstrates our commitment to addressing the teacher shortage crisis that we inherited from the former government.”

The new agreement “equates to more teachers in classrooms and a better education for students in public schools,” NSW Premier Chris Minns said.

“As part of the agreement we’re maximising teaching time by capping out-of-hours meetings and reducing the amount of admin work teachers are required to do — on top of maintaining wages with a 3 per cent pay increase per year,” Minns said.

“Because giving more time for teachers to do what they do best in front of classrooms is the key to building a better future in NSW.”

More to be done

While he was pleased with the agreement, Rajendra said there was more to be done.

Securing the teachers needed for every classroom requires the Federal Government to close the $1.9 billion annual funding gap facing NSW public schools, he said.

“When some private schools receive over $6000 more per student in government funding than public schools, it’s clear the system remains lopsided,” he said.

“The federal government reported a $15.8 billion surplus.

“They have the financial capacity to ensure every child gets the resources and support they need to succeed.

“The prime minister must step up and deliver the funding our schools urgently need.

“Our children’s future depends on it.”