ST and EST update: the 2023 process
Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 128 , 21 July 2023, page no.21
In June, employees identified as being eligible for senior teacher (ST) or experienced senior teacher (EST) in Semester 2 received an email notification advising of their eligibility with instructions on what they had to do if they wished to access the classifications. Principals were also advised of eligible employees at their workplace.
The notification included a link to the teacher progression form, which is to be used when applying for the new classification. The form can also be accessed via MyHR. The ST and EST1 processes will be “opt in”, so if you do intend to access ST or EST1, you are advised to follow the instructions.
Eligibility on or before 28 July
If the teacher progression form is submitted by your principal, or their delegate, by 28 July, it will be processed in the fortnight ending 27 August.
Eligibility after 28 July
Teachers should ensure that their principal, or their delegate, has submitted the teacher progression form by their eligibility date. The classification will be backdated to the eligibility date or date of certification (whichever is later).
For the remainder of 2023, employees eligible for the EST2 classification will continue to be notified approximately three months before their predicted eligibility date. If the additional non-service requirements have been met, payment will be made from either their eligibility date, or the date the teacher progression form was submitted, whichever is later.
From the start of the 2024 school year, employees eligible for ST, EST1 or EST2 will be aligned. This means that employees eligible for all classifications will be notified approximately three months before their predicted eligibility date. Access to these classifications will occur, if the additional non-service requirements are met, from either the eligibility date, or the date the teacher progression form was submitted, whichever is later.
If you think you should have been notified and you have not received an email, you should use the payroll classification enquiry form on Service Catalogue Online.
While teachers should be notified of their eligibility, it is up to them to discuss progression with their principal (or their delegate) and request completion of the teacher progression form.
Service and non-service requirements
Senior teacher
- Completion of one year’s teaching service at Band 3 Step 4 (4-year trained teacher).
- Completion of two years’ teaching service at Band 3 Step 1 (3-year trained teacher).
- Annual performance review (APR) by the teacher and their supervisor.
- Senior teacher undertaking and personal action plan (STAP) as part of the APR.
Experienced senior teacher 1
- Completion of two years’ service as an ST or senior instrumental music teacher, or five years as a senior instrumental music instructor.
- APR discussion between the teacher and their supervisor within the past 12 months.
Experienced senior teacher 2
- Completion of three years’ service at EST1.
- APR discussion between the teacher and their supervisor within the past 12 months, using the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) highly accomplished teacher focus areas and standard descriptors.
Note: There is no requirement for the APR to contain a goal that aligns to the highly accomplished teachers focus areas and standard descriptors.
FAQs
Can my principal refuse access to ST?
No. Only the information contained in the STAP & APR can be discussed between the principal, or their delegate, and the eligible teacher. However, if you are currently in a formally documented managing unsatisfactory performance process (MUP), then your principal should not submit the teacher progression form. If you are having informal performance conversations, you are not prevented from accessing ST.
Is full-time equivalent service required for part time teachers?
Service eligibility is based on years of service, irrespective of fraction, from 1 January 2022. Prior to this date, full-time equivalent service is applied. The criteria for access to the ST/EST classification otherwise remains unchanged (i.e. APR).
Do I need to complete a special project or task to progress to ST, EST1/2?
Senior teacher requires a personal action plan and undertaking, and the list of indicative tasks in the undertaking is not intended to be exhaustive. The draft plan should identify tasks from one or more of the higher-level duties listed on the undertaking. For most teachers, the plan need only be the formal recording of the higher-level duties already being undertaken. The EST1 or EST2 classifications do not have an undertaking associated with them. The non-service requirements are linked to the APR only.
If you have more questions, contact QTAD on 1300117823