Anonymous #057

Submitter information

Name

Anonymous #057

Where are you located?

Australian Capital Territory

What type of area do you live in?

Metropolitan

Are you an education professional?
(e.g. teacher, school leader, learning support assistant, teacher’s aide)

No

Elevating the profession

The actions proposed recognise the value teachers bring to students, communities and the economy.

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

Improving teacher supply

The actions proposed will be effective in increasing the number of students entering ITE, number of students completing ITE and the number of teachers staying in and/or returning to the profession.

Neither agree nor disagree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

These actions appear to focus predominantly on ITE and pathways into teaching, without sufficiently addressing increases to "the numbers of teachers staying in and/or returning to the profession". As reported in the AITSL 'Building a sustainable teaching workforce' report, "teachers are leaving the professional due to a combination of excessive workloads, work environment, work stress and stagnating salaries". Noting that States and Territories are responsible for determining teacher salaries, a national response could pay consideration to implementing changes to Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) laws to provide the same FBT exemptions to public school employees that are received by public hospital and ambulance employees. In addition to this providing further financial incentive for teachers to remain in the teaching profession, this would also support the attraction and retention of high-quality support staff to remain working in public education. Making these changes would demonstrate to the public that the Australian Government values the important role that teachers and school staff play in providing high-quality learning outcomes to our children.

Strengthening Initial Teacher Education (ITE)

The actions proposed will ensure initial teacher education supports teacher supply and quality.

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

Maximising the time to teach

The actions proposed will improve retention and free up teachers to focus on teaching and collaboration.

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

Better understanding future teacher workforce needs

How effective are the proposed actions in better understanding future teacher workforce needs, including the number of teachers required?

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

Better career pathways to support and retain teachers in the profession

The proposed actions will improve career pathways, including through streamlining the process for Highly Accomplished and Lead Teacher (HALT) accreditation, and providing better professional support for teachers to retain them in the profession.

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?