Australia: More casual teachers for regional schools

Up to 12 casual teachers will be employed permanently to cover classes at rural or remote public schools in a trial starting in Term 1, 2021.

Teacher at school, Image credit- Ilmicrofono Oggiono

Oct 1, Education: Under the program, 2 casual teachers will be employed permanently at a ‘hub’ school. The casual teachers can be deployed to schools under an hour away when permanent teachers are accessing professional development or sick.

Targeting schools with teacher shortages, the trial will improve employment opportunities for casual teachers, and promote the teaching in rural and regional NSW.

Benefits for casual teachers include: 

• Commute time reduced to less than one hour

• Longer engagements 

• Temporary or permanent positions, including leave and other benefits 

• Employment certainty

• Professional development opportunities.

Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell said the trial aims to bring more teachers to regional NSW.

Ms Mitchell said-

It can be difficult to attract and retain teachers in rural and remote areas for a number of reasons including travel distances, lack of suitable accommodation close to schools and limited opportunities for teachers to access professional learning.

It will provide certainty to casual teachers, knowing they have a permanent position.