Over the past 12-18 months, new enterprise agreements have been rolled out across multiple states. These agreements significantly impact the financial well-being of teachers and may attract those considering relocation. Let’s explore the enterprise agreement employee highlights and benefits for Catholic education teachers in various Australian states to determine which state offers the best conditions.
Graduate Teacher Salaries:
Experienced Teacher Salaries:
Notably Catholic Dioceses typically follow the salaries enlisted by the state or territories department of education in which they reside.
Below is the list of leave, superannuation and additional perks in each state/territory and linked enterprise agreements. It should be noted that some Diocese have some great additional perks and incentives outside of their agreements, which can be seen on their Diocese website. Some great examples are Catholic Education South Australia regional incentives and Catholic Education Diocese of Wilcannia/Forbes.
Queensland
Graduate Teacher Salary: $81,628
Experienced Teacher Salary: $119,518
Key Benefits:
- 3% salary increase on 1 July 2024. (Clause 4.5.1 (b), page 36)
- 12.75% superannuation, above the commonwealth superannuation entitlements. (Clause 7.3.4, page 87)
- Long service leave (LSL) after 7 years. (Clause 8.4.2 (a), page 95)
- 10 personal/carer’s leave days per year. (Clause 8.5.1 (a), page 99)
- Clear process for casual, part-time, and full-time teachers to meet requirements for full registration. (Clause 4.21.2 (c), page 46)
Victoria
Graduate Teacher Salary: $77,248
Experienced Teacher Salary: $114,591
Key Benefits:
- 1% salary increase in July 2024 (bi-annually increases). (Schedule 1, Table 1.1, Page 193)
- Aligned with the commonwealth’s superannuation entitlements. (Clause 43.5 (a))
- Long service leave (LSL) after 7 years. (Appendix 3, Section 2.1, page 143)
- 15 personal/carer’s leave days per year. (Clause 30.1 (c), page 47)
South Australia
Graduate Teacher Salary: $80,093
Experienced Teacher Salary: $116,162
South Australia Catholic Schools Enterprise Agreement 2020
Key Benefits:
- Next salary increases aligned with SA Department for Education. (Clause 45.3, page 43)
- Higher teacher salaries for temporary contracts.
- Aligned with the commonwealth’s superannuation entitlements. (Clause 50.1, page 46)
- Long service leave (LSL) after 7 years. (Clause 27.1, page 29)
- 10 personal/carer’s leave days per year. (Clause 24.6 (a), page 26)
- Maximum student contact time: primary teachers 24 hours/week, secondary teachers 22.5 hours/week. (Clause 76.4, page 73)
- Study scholarship available up to $1,500. (Clause 17, page 20)
- Country/regional financial incentives available. (Clause 74.1, page 69)
Western Australia
Graduate Teacher Salary: $78,397
Experienced Teacher Salary: $119,246
WA Catholic School Teachers Enterprise Agreement 2023
Key Benefits:
- Next salary increases aligned with WA Department of Education. (Clause 7.1 (b), page 10)
- Regional/remote location allowance, up to $414.83 per fortnight. (Schedule 3 (2)(a), page 43)
- Aligned with the commonwealth’s superannuation entitlements. (Clause 10.1, page 13)
- 13 personal/carer’s leave days per year. (Clause 43.1, page 35)
- ‘Right to Disconnect’ written into the enterprise agreement, ahead of national changes scheduled for August 2024. (Clause 24, page 22)
Northern Territory
Graduate Teacher Salary: $85,094
Experienced Teacher Salary: $122,036
Catholic Schools (Northern Territory) Collective Enterprise Agreement 2022
Key Benefits:
- Next salary increase is yet to be confirmed. (Schedule 1, page 119)
- Aligned with the commonwealth’s superannuation entitlements. (Clause 4.7.1 (a), page 23)
- Long service leave (LSL) after 7 years. (Clause 5.1.5 (a), page 34)
- 10 personal/carer’s leave days per year. (Clause 5.5.2, page 42)
- Release from face-to-face contact time: primary teachers 3 hours/week, secondary teachers 5 hours/week. (Clause 6.13, page 66)
- Clear process for casual, part-time, and full-time teachers to meet requirements for full registration. (Clause 6.3.4 (g), page 51)
Tasmania
Graduate Teacher Salary: $70,571
Experienced Teacher Salary: $114,882
Tasmanian Catholic Education Single Enterprise Agreement 2018
Key Benefits:
- Salary increase of 3% in March 2025. (Arrangements outside of the agreement)
- Aligned with the commonwealth’s superannuation entitlements. (Clause 21.1, page 27)
- LSL after 10 years, accessible upon termination after 7 years. (Clause 44.2.1, page 46)
- 10 personal/carer’s leave days per year. (Clause 37.6.1, page 41)
- Additional personal leave entitlements for communicable diseases. (Clause 48, page 50)
Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
Graduate Teacher Salary: $84,978
Experienced Teacher Salary: $119,288
NSW and ACT Catholic Systemic Schools Enterprise Agreement 2023
Key Benefits:
- Salary increase of 4.25% in August 2024 (increase to $88,615!). (Schedule A, Table 1B, page 145)
- Aligned with the commonwealth’s superannuation entitlements. Additional employer superannuation contributions available at an additional 1% upon employee request. (Annexure C, 3, page 187)
- LSL after 7 years, accessible upon termination after 5 years. (Clause 37.5 (b), page 107) (Clause 37.7, page 109)
- 15 personal/carer’s leave days per year. (Clause 35.1 (b), page 96)
New South Wales
Graduate Teacher Salary: $85,000
Experienced Teacher Salary: $122,100
NSW and ACT Catholic Systemic Schools Enterprise Agreement 2023
Key Benefits:
- Next salary increase not listed within the agreement. (Schedule A, Table 1A, page 144)
- Aligned with the commonwealth’s superannuation entitlements. (Clause 25.1, page 76; also refer to definitions on page 16)
- LSL after 10 years, accessible upon termination after 5 years. (Clause 37.5 (b), page 107) (Clause 37.7, page 109)
- 15 personal/carer’s leave days per year. (Clause 35.1 (b), page 96)
Conclusion
The comparative analysis of enterprise agreements for Catholic education teachers across Australia reveals a range of benefits all tailored to attract, support and retain teaching professionals. Support and benefits unmatched by previous enterprise agreements.
While each state and individual Dioceses offers distinct advantages, if we’d have to select a top-runner, Queensland and Northern Territory emerges as the top choices. Queensland not only provides competitive salaries for both graduate and experienced teachers but also promises a substantial 3% salary increase in July 2024 and a superannuation rate of 12.75%, which is notably higher than the standard. The Northern Territory boasts the highest salaries across Australia. Additionally, Queensland and Northern Territories commitment to professional development through clear registration processes and generous leave entitlements further cements its position as the best state and territory for Catholic education teachers looking for optimal working conditions and financial benefits.
South Australia, Western Australia and New South Wales boast some very attractive financial incentives and additional support (via programmes, allowances, scholarships and additional leave) for teachers looking to relocate to regional/remote regions.
