Temporary to permanent conversion update

Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 125 No 2, 20 March 2020, page no.23

Job security is union business and is consistently one of the top priorities identified in our QTU member surveys. Noting this, the QTU fought hard during EB negotiations to improve the temporary to permanent conversion process. 

We were successful in securing a reduction in the teaching service required for teachers to be eligible for conversion from temporary to permanent. This reduction, from three years down to two, is one of the big wins the QTU secured for temporary teachers in the new certified agreement. 

Temporary teachers now have the opportunity to secure permanency more quickly; an advantage for teachers, schools and students. 

The conversion to permanency process is governed by provisions in the certified agreement, along with a QTU/DoE memorandum of agreement (MoA) and a DOE business process. 

In light of the new provisions, the MoA and the business process need to be updated, to be consistent with the certified agreement. 

The QTU and DoE are working together on this, and the Union has repeatedly stressed the need for this process to happen as quickly as possible. 

In the interim, DoE has temporarily stopped issuing new invitations to opt in to the conversion process. 

There is no reason why temporary teachers who received an invitation last year and have already opted in to the process should be impacted by the current halt. 

We are also working with DoE to ensure that permanent offers are made to temporary teachers who have previously opted in to the conversion process. 

Are you a temporary teacher who has worked for DoE for more than two years? 

While the QTU understands that it takes time to establish the new process, we also assert that temporary teachers who have completed two years of eligible service should be offered ongoing contract work while the process is finalised. 

This is consistent with the existing practice of teachers being offered ongoing contract work in the time between opting in to the process and receiving their permanent offer. 

Temporary teachers who believe they are now eligible to receive an invitation and who do not currently have contract work should contact the QTU for assistance, via their Organiser or services@qtu.asn.au

Please note that eligible service is for two years’ cumulative service, ie. with breaks no greater than 60 school days and no more than 20 per cent supply work in any year. 

Kim Roy

Industrial/Research Officer