Agreement reached with Queensland Teachers Union

Queensland’s most experienced teachers will earn $101,000 following agreement between the Palaszczuk Government and QTU.

The three-year in-principle agreement deal will cover more than 40,000 classroom teachers, heads of programs and school leaders.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the agreement would see classroom teachers now able to earn $101,000 a year, recognising the vital role they play in shaping our state’s future.

“Our teachers do an outstanding job in ensuring students receive a quality education,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“Until now, Queensland teachers could only earn more than $100,000 a year by taking their experience and expertise outside of the classroom.

“We want to encourage teachers to stay in the classroom to use their experience and expertise to ensure Queensland students get a quality education.”

The agreement includes:

• A 2.5 per cent increase per annum for all state school teachers
• A new $101,000 salary for Experienced Senior Teachers by the end of the agreement
• A streamlined and modernised salary structure for classroom teachers to ensure Queensland state school teachers receive competitive remuneration
• The implementation of the Government’s commitment to introduce Highly Accomplished Teacher (HAT) and Lead Teacher (LT) classifications
• A strengthened commitment to maximising permanency for temporary classroom teachers
• Enhanced opportunities to attract qualified professionals into the teaching profession
• Measures to address workload concerns raised by the Queensland Teachers’ Union.

Education Minister Kate Jones said the Palaszczuk Government valued the entire teaching workforce for the integral role they play as part of the school community.

“This is about creating a contemporary and competitive professional pay-scale,” Ms Jones said

“Queenslanders value our teachers and want them be paid accordingly.

“We committed to employ more than 2,500 additional teachers this term of government.

“This includes 875 extra teachers above growth putting downward pressure on class sizes and allowing more individual teaching time for students.

“We are delivering on this promise and we are ensuring that Queensland state school teachers are fairly paid for their important work.”

QTU members will vote on the agreement following consultation.

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