Following the teacher pay rises achieved by the IEU in our Hear Our Voice campaign in Catholic systemic schools and the teacher pay rises achieved by the NSW Teachers Federation in NSW government schools from Term 4, pressure has mounted on independent schools to offer additional pay rises to staff.
Schools represented by the Association of Independent Schools (AIS) are covered by multi–enterprise agreements (MEAs) negotiated in 2021 and concluding in January 2025. The AIS rejected an approach by the union earlier this year to negotiate sector-wide increases in light of the prevailing high inflation. Only a small number of schools agreed to limited pay rises, many paid in the form of lump sum payments.
However, since the substantial teacher pay increases from October, more than 100 independent schools so far have acknowledged that to stay competitive and retain and recruit staff, they must pay above the MEA rates.
For details of the increases being paid by schools, see our website: ieu.asn.au
Many schools are yet to come to the table to recognise and reward their staff.
If your school is one of them, please contact your IEU Organiser in early 2024 so we can start the conversation with the school’s leadership.