New South Wales teachers could become the highest paid in the country under a proposed pay deal from the state government.
On Tuesday, Premier Chris Minns and his government offered a four-year agreement which will see the starting salary for NSW teachers increase from $75,791 to $85,000 and the salary for top-tier teachers increase from $113,042 to $122,100.
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Wages will then increase in the following three years in line with the state government’s wages policy.
If agreed on by the NSW Teachers Federation, 95,000 public school teachers will benefit from the pay rise which aims to tackle teacher shortages.
Acting president of the federation Henry Rajendra welcomed the agreement, with it now to be taken to the federation’s council on Saturday to be voted on.
The agreement reflects Mr Minns’ election promise of improving pay and conditions of NSW teachers and fixing “serious issues” within the education system.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said teachers “urgently deserve” the pay rise.
“Negotiating an outcome that demonstrates respect to teachers has always been my highest priority,” Ms Car said.
“In order to tackle the teacher shortage crisis, we must restore respect to the teaching profession, so teachers are free to do their jobs without additional stress.
“While there is much more to do, today marks an important step forward as we continue working to rebuild our state’s education system.”