Education Queensland Enterprise Agreement
Education Queensland Enterprise Agreement: What It Means for Teachers and School Staff
The Education Queensland Enterprise Agreement (EQEA) is an agreement between the Queensland Government and the Queensland Teachers’ Union (QTU) that governs the employment conditions of teachers and other school staff in Queensland state schools.
The latest EQEA, which came into effect on 21 October 2019, covers a three-year period (2019-2022) and includes several key changes that impact the working lives of teachers and support staff.
Here are some of the main features of the EQEA:
1. Pay rise
Under the EQEA, teachers and support staff in Queensland state schools will receive a pay rise of 2.5% per annum over the three-year period. This increase is in line with the current inflation rate and is designed to ensure that salaries keep pace with the rising cost of living.
2. Workload management
One of the primary concerns of teachers and school staff is the workload associated with their jobs. The EQEA includes measures aimed at addressing workload issues, such as:
– The establishment of a joint taskforce to develop strategies for managing workload;
– The provision of additional resources to schools to support workload management; and
– The creation of a new classification for senior teachers, which includes additional responsibilities and higher pay.
3. Professional development
The EQEA places a strong emphasis on professional development for teachers and support staff. The agreement includes provisions for:
– The development of individual professional learning plans for all staff;
– The provision of release time for professional development activities; and
– The establishment of a new professional development fund to support the ongoing learning and development of staff.
4. Employee wellbeing
The EQEA recognises the important role that employee wellbeing plays in ensuring effective teaching and learning. The agreement includes measures to support employee wellbeing, such as:
– The introduction of a new leave entitlement for family and domestic violence;
– The provision of additional mental health support for staff; and
– The establishment of a new employee wellbeing fund to support initiatives that promote staff wellbeing.
5. Job security
Finally, the EQEA includes provisions aimed at improving job security for teachers and support staff. These include:
– The provision of greater job security for temporary and casual employees;
– The establishment of a new transfer and secondment process for teachers; and
– The expansion of the permanent part-time employment category for support staff.
Overall, the Education Queensland Enterprise Agreement represents a significant step forward in the recognition and support of teachers and school staff in Queensland state schools. By providing pay rises, workload management strategies, professional development opportunities, and employee wellbeing initiatives, the agreement aims to ensure that teachers and support staff are valued, supported, and able to perform their important roles effectively.