The Minns Labor Government has secured a multi-year pay deal with TAFE NSW teachers, benefiting nearly 9,000 teaching staff. Over 90 per cent of teaching staff, backed by the NSW Teachers Federation, voted to accept the government's 10.5% baseline pay offer, higher than ever offered under the former government.
This comes after a decade long wages cap by the former Liberal-National Government that left thousands of teachers underpaid and in insecure employment.
Nearly two thirds of NSW Public sector workers and their union have now signed wage agreements with the NSW Government.
The deal, which delivers on the Government's election commitment to rebuild TAFE NSW, consists of:
- A 3.5% pay rise, plus a 0.5% superannuation boost for 2024-25;
- A 3% pay rise annually in both 2025-26 and 2026-27, plus a further 0.5% increase to super in 2025-26.
Additionally, the Government will undertake reforms within 12 months to remove TAFE NSW from the former Government's "Smart and Skilled" competitive market, a key recommendation of the NSW VET Review.
This means TAFE NSW will no longer compete with the private training providers for funding and instead will have a more predictable annual budget.
These changes will slash red tape and give teachers more time to focus on the actual teaching of students.
In addition, the Minns Labor Government has transitioned more than 1700 casual teachers and delivery support staff from the beginning of this semester into permanent roles, providing long-overdue job security and stability for staff who have endured years of uncertainty.
80% of the TAFE NSW teaching workforce now enjoy greater job security, ensuring a stable, experienced workforce to deliver training in priority industries such as construction, manufacturing, and healthcare.
Minister for Industrial Relations, Sophie Cotsis said:
"This pay agreement with TAFE NSW teaching staff reaffirms the Minns Labor Government's industrial relations framework is working.
"It recognises not only the important service our teachers and educators provide but acknowledges and rewards their efforts.
"This is a good step forward but there is always more work to do to ensure we have the best public service in the world."
Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan said:
"I'm delighted that the TAFE NSW teaching staff have agreed to the Government's offer, recognising their contribution to the state. Our teachers are on the front line of delivering the skills education to fill shortages in our critical industries and we value them."
"We've heard from teachers that they want to see reform in TAFE NSW, and alongside the increase in pay, this agreement builds on reform by no longer requiring TAFE NSW to compete with private training providers for funding.
"Removing TAFE NSW from the competitive (Smart and Skilled) market was a key recommendation of the Government's VET Review. It will result in a major reduction in administrative burden for TAFE NSW, but more importantly it enhances the recognition that TAFE NSW is the core provider of vocational training in NSW.
"Funding certainty and a stable and secure vocational training workforce are crucial to meeting the increasing demand for skilled workers across several critical industries NSW communities rely on every day."
NSW Teachers Federation President, Henry Rajendra said:
"The Federation enthusiastically welcomes the strengthening of TAFE NSW, with more than 1700 teachers transitioning from casual to permanent role starting earlier this term.
We also commend the removal of the constraints of the contestable funding market on TAFE NSW, and the introduction of a new three-year enterprise agreement that delivers solid pay increases to some of the most essential educators in NSW.
"These are a clear demonstration of the NSW Government's commitment to rebuilding a strong and stable TAFE NSW.
"As the heart of the vocational education and training sector in Australia, TAFE NSW is critical to delivering the education and skills for our students, communities and economy across NSW.
"TAFE NSW has a proven track record of excellence, delivering dependable public education that meets individual, industry and community needs."
