TAFE update
Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 130 No 5, 1 August 2025, page no 25.
Award variation underway
Clause 14 of the TAFE Queensland Educators Certified Agreement 2023 (TQECA23) outlines key enterprise bargaining commitments, including a joint undertaking to seek variation of the TAFE Queensland Award – State 2016 (TQAS16). Specifically, clause 14(b) commits the parties to submit a request to the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission to incorporate and extend coverage to the following classifications: educational team leader (ETL), senior teacher, senior tutor, foundation educator, and higher education educator.
The initial phase of the review involved a keyword search of the award for terms such as “tutor,” “teacher,” and “LVT.” This informed preliminary considerations around amending existing clauses to include senior tutor alongside tutor and senior teacher alongside teacher.
Subsequently, relevant schedules were added or amended, with text drawn directly from the 2022 certified agreement to ensure consistency and accuracy. A manual scan of the award followed, identifying conditions requiring amendment to reflect the inclusion or exclusion of the specified educator classifications.
A final review was conducted to assess the arrangement and readability of clauses. While this step arguably extends beyond the original scope of the enterprise bargaining commitment, it presents an opportunity to enhance the clarity and usability of the award document.
Following consideration by the TAFE Executive, a summary of proposed changes was presented to the TAFE Council for review and ratification. Upon endorsement, the Queensland Teachers’ Union was provided with a draft document and accompanying summary on a without-prejudice basis, formally submitting the proposed variation to TAFE Queensland
NAT matters
The QTU has previously advised of the outcome of a QIRC decision that will have a significant impact on how TAFE Queensland treats non-attendance time (NAT).
The QTU has decided to appeal the decision and has briefed its solicitors.
"...TAFE Queensland has issued a new policy regarding the management of NAT. The policy implies that teachers who do not have a flexible working arrangement in place will have to attend TAFE during NAT.."
At the same time, TAFE Queensland has issued a new policy regarding the management of NAT. The policy implies that teachers who do not have a flexible working arrangement in place will have to attend TAFE during NAT, and has references that restrict the movement of educators during NAT.
These are significant imposts on NAT that the QTU maintains impinge on the custom and practice of NAT use.
At the same time, in some regions the programming of NAT is questionable, with educators being directed to return to work from NAT to undertake activities such as mandatory training or professional development. This is despite undertakings from TAFE Corporate to the contrary. This has been raised through the TAFE Queensland Consultative Committee.
For clarity:
- NAT must be programmed in advance in the yearly plan (TQECA23 - 27.2)
- NAT taking can be directed by the GM, but with four-weeks’ notice. (TQAS16 – 19(e)).
- NAT must be taken in blocks of no less than one calendar week and up to four weeks at any one time (not a number of days) (TQAS16 – 19(f)).
- NAT must be taken in at least two periods in a year, which are not to be separated by more than 21 weeks (TQAS23 – 19(g)).
- NAT cannot be taken in the Christmas/New Year closure period (TQAS23 – 21.5(e)).
- If reversing a period of NAT provides for NAT periods shorter than one week, you cannot be directed to take annual leave unless your balance exceeds 26 days and you have 14 days’ notice in writing (TQAS23 – 21.6(c)).
New resources currently launching
A revised NAT poster for member use will soon be available on the QTU website, along with additional resources.
EB consultation
Special TAFE and CQU EB log of claims consultation meetings will be occurring throughout this term. Keep an eye out for your local branch meeting. Members will be encouraged to provide feedback by drafting and submitting motions through their branches.