Classification restructure: an overview
Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 124 No 6, 16 August 2019, page no. 10
The new EB contains a huge number of changes and improvements to the classification structure. Here is a summary of some of the changes – for more details, visit www.qtu.asn.au
- A new 10-point scale for principals, resulting in those in single teacher schools receiving a salary higher than lead teacher, with the top step of the new principal level 1 receiving $121, 975 p.a. in 2019, moving to $130,172 p.a. by the end of the agreement. Half of the current Band 5 schools (129) will go to Level 2. This salary structure achieves an objective of QTU policy: “The QTU supports a salary structure that: remunerates the principal as the highest paid officer in the school.” (2017-2019 QTU Education Leaders policy (Section 2 dot point 4))
- There will be differential outcomes for different classification levels, with the uplift phased in over the life of the agreement. Effectively, your first pay increment will be on 1 July – with two subsequent pay increases on 1 July 2020 and 1 July 2021
- The current biennial progression structure will be retained - the new promotional position classification structure will transition from the previous three pay-point structure to two by the end of the agreement, resulting in greater separation between classification levels and faster progression through the salary increments.
- Executive principals will return to the classification scale, receiving a salary in the final year of the agreement of $211 398p.a. (this is the same salary as an assistant regional director). Queensland state school principals will have the highest executive principal salary horizon of all principals in the country. Executive principal salaries will now be broken up into three salary levels (P-8 to P-10). The vehicle allowance has been rolled into executive principals’ salary, so this money is now superannuable, which has significant implications, especially for those who retain the Defined Benefits Scheme.
- Primary heads of curriculum are to be harmonised with secondary heads of department. The position description of HOCs will be revised to support this outcome.
- All deputy principals will be recognised under the same classification and remuneration scale.
- Guidance officers, heads of department and HOSES 2 will have a top step salary of $128,884.
- Senior guidance officers and HOSES 3 will have a top step salary of $135,384.
- There will be different thresholds for SDEs, OEECs and special schools.
While the salary structure contained in the offer holds many significant increases, we are aware that we haven’t achieved parity between the primary and secondary sectors. This will remain a priority for the Union and we will continue to advocate and campaign around this matter to achieve a better outcome. It has become clear that this classification structure will not last 25 years, and in some aspects will be easier to alter in future, based on the use of funding thresholds.
Since the announcement of the Queensland Government’s offer, the QTU has been working on finalising transition arrangements to the new structure. An overview of these transition arrangements can be found in detail on the Education Leader members section of the QTU website.
The QTU is also continuing to work with members and the department on some of the unique circumstances found in schools across the state.