New deal for Queensland teachers certified

The Queensland Industrial Relations Commission has today certified a new deal for Queensland state school teachers which delivers some of the best pay and conditions in the country.

The enterprise bargaining agreement, which was overwhelmingly endorsed by teachers with 94% voting in favour, will operate up until the end of June 2025.

Education Minister Grace Grace said the deal was great news for teachers and would deliver good jobs and better services right across the state.

“The Palaszczuk Government is committed to making the Queensland Department of Education the employer of choice for teachers in Australia,” Ms Grace said.

“There are wage rises of 4%, 4%, and 3% over three years, and a cost-of-living adjustment payment each year of the agreement (capped at 3%) if CPI in the relevant year is higher than the base wage increase.

“The first pay increase of 4%, back dated to 1 July 2022, will be paid as a lump sum payment before the end of January 2023.

“The agreement includes an attraction and retention package for regional, rural, and remote teachers which improves existing entitlements like travel and relocation allowances, as well as introducing new ones.

“For example, under the new agreement, if a beginning teacher chooses to head to Georgetown SS in the Gulf country to start their career, they will now take home over $86,000, compared to $78,000 for their city counterparts.   

“Meanwhile a teacher with 4 years' service transferring to Winton will see their new base salary of $94,015 topped up to $98,515 thanks to the incentives we’re offering to attract experienced teachers to rural and remote areas.

“Throw in housing assistance, funded flights home, and increased travel allowance for dependants, and it really is a great deal.

“The agreement also reflects the Department of Education’s commitment to conduct a comprehensive review of school resourcing arrangements to support a modern and agile education system that reflects the needs of our Queensland schools, which will form a key part of our new Equity and Excellence Strategy.

“I’d like to acknowledge the hard work of the Queensland Teachers Union and thank everyone involved in making this excellent bargaining agreement possible.”

Regional and remote attraction and retention benefits in the new agreement include:

• Beginning teacher one-off payment extended from 95 to 237 schools, and the maximum payment increased from $1,000 to $2,000
• Existing annual recognition of service payment has increased, is starting earlier, and will be paid for more years. Annual payments range from $1,200 to $6,000
• Increased travel allowance for dependants
• Additional flights for those in most remote locations
• $2,000 lump sum attraction payment for teachers who return to Australia to work in rural and remote Queensland

The new agreement includes a range of improved conditions and entitlements, including:

• A specific clause to encourage a culture where teachers are supported to digitally disconnect when they’re not at work, except in exceptional circumstances
• Special leave for sorry business/kinship obligations
• Restructured Community Teacher pay and classifications for those working in schools in First Nations communities, including a new classification of Senior Community Teacher to provide improved career pathways
• Payment of applications for graduate QCT registrations, saving new teachers up to $295.81
• Strengthening existing provisions of health, safety, and wellbeing to ensure the provisions are clear and apply in all circumstances.

ENDS

Media contact: Kate Talbot, 0439 803 211