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Understanding the NT Teachers Enterprise Agreement: Key Features and Benefits
If you are a teacher working in the Northern Territory (NT), you may be covered by the NT Teachers Enterprise Agreement (EA), which sets out the terms and conditions of your employment. The NT EA is negotiated between the NT Government, the Department of Education, and the Australian Education Union (AEU) NT Branch, which represents the majority of NT teachers. The current NT EA 2018-2021 was approved by the Fair Work Commission and came into effect on 2 April 2018.
The NT EA covers a range of matters, including salaries, allowances, leave, workload, professional development, and dispute resolution. Here are some of the key features and benefits of the NT EA:
– Salaries: The NT EA provides for annual increases in salaries, in line with the national indexation rate. As of 1 July 2021, the base salary for a Level 1 teacher with four years of experience is $72,314 per annum, while the base salary for a Level 12 teacher with 10 years of experience is $118,654 per annum. The NT EA also includes additional payments and allowances, such as remote area allowances, special education allowances, and higher duties allowances.
– Leave: The NT EA provides for various types of leave, such as personal leave, parental leave, carer`s leave, and long service leave. The NT EA also includes provisions for flexible work arrangements, such as part-time work, job sharing, and telecommuting. The NT EA also allows for up to 6 weeks of annual recreational leave, which can be taken during school holidays.
– Workload: The NT EA includes provisions for workload management, which aim to ensure that teachers have appropriate time and resources to prepare, teach, assess, and report on student learning. The NT EA also provides for professional development time, which allows teachers to engage in learning and development activities that enhance their skills and knowledge. The NT EA also includes provisions for consultation and collaboration between teachers, school leaders, and the Department of Education on matters that affect workload and teaching quality.
– Professional development: The NT EA includes provisions for professional development, which can be accessed through a range of modes, such as online courses, workshops, conferences, and mentoring. The NT EA also includes a professional development allowance, which can be used by teachers to fund their own learning and development activities, in consultation with their school leader. The NT EA also recognises the value of teacher accreditation and provides for support and recognition of accredited teachers.
– Dispute resolution: The NT EA includes provisions for dispute resolution, which aim to resolve conflicts between teachers, school leaders, and the Department of Education in a timely, fair, and constructive manner. The NT EA provides for informal and formal processes of dispute resolution, such as mediation, conciliation, and arbitration. The NT EA also allows for the involvement of the AEU NT Branch in resolving disputes that affect the interests of its members.
Overall, the NT Teachers Enterprise Agreement is an important document that governs the working conditions and rights of NT teachers. By understanding and exercising their rights and entitlements under the NT EA, teachers can promote their own wellbeing and professional growth, as well as contribute to the improvement of the quality of education in the NT. If you have any questions or concerns about the NT EA, you can contact your school leader, the AEU NT Branch, or the Department of Education for advice and assistance.