The IEU is calling on Aspect to respect the work of teacher aides by addressing the 17.5% pay gap between them and their counterparts in NSW government schools and Catholic systemic schools.
A full-time teacher aide working at Aspect earns about $360 per fortnight less than employees doing comparable work in NSW government schools and Catholic systemic schools.
In response, the union is set to launch a petition, widely endorsed by IEU reps from across the state.
It reflects widespread concern among Aspect employees about the big gap in pay for teacher aides.
The petition will call on Aspect employers to commit to pay equity through an additional 5% increase in February 2027 (on top of pay rises already negotiated), and a clear binding timetable to close the pay gap by 2028.
Vital work
Aspect teacher aides perform vitally important work. They support students with high and diverse needs, often in demanding and challenging circumstances. They bring skills, experience and specialist knowledge to their roles every day.
Yet a full-time Aspect teacher aide is paid hundreds of dollars less a fortnight than their colleagues in NSW government schools and Catholic schools.
This is clearly not fair and is contributing to staff shortages. The union believes Aspect has the capacity to pay its teacher aides fairly.
In Term 4 2025, the union began talks with the employer seeking additional pay increases for teacher aides.
Despite discussions with the union, the employer has not committed to pay its teacher aides fairly. This is having a big impact on staff morale.
What you can do
The IEU will email our petition to Aspect staff. Reps will be asking every Aspect employee to sign – teachers and support staff, members and non-members.
Support your rep by making sure your chapter gets involved. Sign the petition and ask your colleagues to sign.
Explain the campaign to non-members and encourage them to join the union – there is real strength in numbers.
Pay parity will not be achieved through employer goodwill. It will be achieved through employees standing together and building a strong collective voice.
More information: ieu.asn.au/respect-at-aspect
Do you work in an Aspect school? Say yes to pay parity for teacher aides.