Steve Whan
Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education

MEDIA RELEASE

TAFE NSW teachers set to receive largest pay increase in over two decades

Tuesday, 23 May 2024

TAFE NSW teachers are set to receive the largest pay increase in two decades following the successful endorsement of the new TAGE NSE Teacher's Enterprise Agreement.

Following the NSW Labor Government's removal of the prohibitive sector wages cap, every TAFE NSW teacher will now receive an increase to salaries and work-related allowance of 4%. This will come in effect 7 days following approval by the Fair Work Commission.

A key election commitment from the NSW Labor Government is investing in rebuilding TAFE NSW after more than a decade of neglect from the former Coalition Government. This agreement will be pivotal to addressing the critical shortage of skilled workers in NSW by recognising the contribution of TAFE teachers through increased salary.

TAFE NSW teachers voted overwhelmingly in favour of endorsing the new Agreement, which recognises the value of the work they perform in delivering training that meets the skills needs of industry and communities.

The new Teacher Enterprise Agreement means starting salaries will increase from $88,842 to $92,396, and salaries for those at the top of the scale increase from $105,362 to $109,576. This will apply from the first full pay period on or after 1 February 2024.

This is a one-year Agreement with negotiations for a multi-year agreement to commence later in the year.

In addition to the TAFE Commission of NSW Teachers and Related Employees Enterprise Agreement 2024, the TAFE Commission of NSW Teachers in TAFE Children's Centres Enterprise Agreement 2024 and the TAFE Commission of NSW TAFE Managers Enterprise Agreement 2024 were successfully endorsed.

Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan said:

"I'm pleased the NSW Government has been able to secure the wage increase our TAFE NSW teachers so rightly deserve. Under the unfair wages cap policy from the Liberals and Nationals our TAFE staff saw the value of their wage massively eroded.

"It really was head-in-the-sand stuff from the previous Government, how on earth do you attract and retain teachers to teach vital trades like building when the gap between teachers' pay and the amount they could earn working in the sector grew so much. 

"I'd like to acknowledge the work of the NSW Teachers Federation for working constructively with TAFE NSW to deliver this outcome for our TAFE teachers.

"Vocational education and training will be critical to skilling the workforce needed for the continued prosperity of the NSW economy. A pay increase and fairer working conditions will make TAFE NSW a more attractive option for industry professionals to make the transition to a rewarding career as a vocational education and training teacher."