QTAD Q&A

Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 126 No 5, 30 July 2021, page no.29

Can my principal ask me to attend a meeting during my NCT? 

The award entitlement to non-contact time can be used for the preparation, planning and correction of class activities. During non-contact time, teachers make decisions regarding what tasks they will complete during this period (2.3.3, 2019 certified agreement).

The award entitlement to NCT is 210 minutes per week for secondary teachers (full-time) and 120 minutes per week for primary school teachers (full-time). 

From the beginning of this year and onwards, a permanent or temporary classroom teacher in their first 12 months of teaching will receive additional NCT, i.e. an additional 60 minutes for primary and 70 minutes for secondary. 

When teachers receive an over-allocation of NCT, i.e. beyond the award entitlement, the principal can decide how teachers should use it (2.3.6, 2019 certified agreement).

If we receive an over-allocation of NCT each week, does this allow the school to refuse to make up lost NCT in a week during which I go away for school camp? 

As per the certified agreement, any award entitlement to non-contact time that cannot be accessed (or is lost) due to planned school activity should be banked and paid at a later date within the term that the NCT is lost. 

Any allocation of NCT provided in excess of the award entitlement cannot be used as a means to under-allocate NCT in future weeks, unless mutually agreed between the teacher and admin.