2024 News

Game changing reforms in 2024: IEU gender & equity wins Gender and equity reforms, driven by union campaigns in 2024, will benefit over 50,000 women workers who make up 72% of IEU members. Read here about these important wins for women workers: IEU Speaks on gender equality in 2024 Rights to fairer working conditions and gender safety, and reforms to build a sustainable and equitable teacher workforce, have been historic achievements this year.

Parliament’s Final Week Delivers for Quality Education & IEU Members The final week of parliament has secured important education reforms and big wins for IEU members and their students. Read here about these important changes: IEU Speaks on end of year wins for IEU members The federal government’s move to slash HECS debts for student teachers, combined with government funding for a 15% pay rise for early childhood education workers, will benefit students, teachers and quality education. These important reforms will help build and maintain a sustainable education workforce.

School Funding Reforms: Steps Forward, Opportunities Missed Federal parliament has passed the Better and Fairer Schools (Funding Reform) Act following years of research and consultation with the education sector. These laws aim to reduce educational inequality and student disadvantage. While the government is to be commended for increasing their investment in education, the funding reforms fall short of full funding for all public schools, and fail to require meaningful employer action on teacher workload. Read more here: IEU Speaks on new school funding laws Without concrete workload reduction outcomes for teachers and school leaders, and full funding for all schools, the [...]

The recent Sexual Harassment of Teachers Report has found harmful sexual behaviours are increasing in Australian schools, and that women teachers often don’t feel safe at work. The IEU calls for urgent action to end such harassment and we support the report’s six recommendations seeking immediate intervention from governments and school employers. Read here about the concerns raised by IEU members and the action needed to end harassment: IEU Speaks on Gendered Harassment in Schools Schools will play their part, but we need parents and the wider community, including sporting organisations, to call out bad behaviour and mentor positive role models [...]

The Australian Professional Experience Guidelines offer the opportunity for a renewed focus on the components of effective high quality professional teacher experience. The Guidelines, developed by AITSL after consultation with stakeholders including the IEU, provide an appropriate focus on all aspects of successful teacher practicum placements. Initial Teacher Education (ITE) providers and school employers have a shared responsibility to better support both graduate teachers and supervising teachers. Read more about the new Guidelines: IEU Speaks on the Australian Professional Experience Guidelines IEU members have a clear understanding of the integral role of high-quality professional experience in the development of classroom-ready teachers. [...]

World Teachers' Day on Friday, 25 October is an opportunity to celebrate and thank our amazing teachers. We think every day should actually be teacher appreciation day, because every day teachers play a vital role inspiring and educating our children and young people. World Teachers' Day is a valuable reminder that teachers deserve professional respect and support all year round - from governments, school employers, parents and the broader community. Teachers inspire, motivate and shape our nation's future - let's show them how much they are valued.   

The latest wages and collective bargaining report from the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations provides yet another stark example of the difference union membership makes. Pay rises have hit a 12-year high with union negotiated agreements once again exceeding non-union wage deals. The IEU has an outstanding record of collective bargaining success negotiating over 800 separate collective agreements delivering better pay and conditions. Read here about the growth in new agreements and the 'wage premium' paid to union members: IEU Speaks on unions leading the way on wages & agreements While challenges remain with bargaining, the Labor government’s changes to [...]

The federal government’s latest response to the issue of AI in education is badly needed to help guide the safe and ethical use of generative AI (GenAI) in classrooms. The voice of IEU members was essential to inform the report and provided first-hand accounts of how GenAI is impacting teachers and students. Read here about the Parliamentary Report: IEU Speaks on AI in education The reality is that the technology is outpacing efforts to provide a comprehensive regulatory response on behalf of students, teachers and school staff. School employers must take every opportunity to work with the IEU and our members [...]

Superannuation contributions have been legally mandated for over 30 years, yet millions of workers are still being denied their entitlements. New analysis has highlighted the reality of unpaid super for 2.8 million workers. Urgent legislative protections and tougher compliance laws are needed to bring an end to the widespread underpayment of vital retirement savings. Read more here: IEU Speaks on the need to protect employee super  The union movement has been the key driver behind the development of our world leading superannuation industry. The system must be strengthened so that workers are guaranteed their full entitlements to ensure financial certainty and [...]

Like all workers, school staff need a break from work and deserve much needed down time. Right to disconnect laws that commence operation today (Monday, 26 August 2024) are another clear example of the difference union membership makes for thousands of education workers across the country. The current teacher recruitment and retention crisis is directly linked to unsustainable workloads and career burnout. A legislated right to disconnect from work is a valuable tool for IEU members seeking to push back ever creeping work intrusions into their precious home and family time. Read here about the new laws: IEU Speaks on the [...]