Temporary teachers and support staff in our local schools could be offered permanent roles as part of the NSW Government's plans to shift up to 10,000 surplus teachers and support staff into permanent positions.

A successful pilot scheme last year saw more temporary teachers across NSW offered permanent roles in schools where there was demand. 

Member for Ku-ring-gai Alister Henskens SC welcomed the NSW Government plans, which from early next year will see temporary teachers and Student Learning Support Officers in areas of need across the region offered permanent roles. 

“Thanks to record funding from the NSW Government, local schools have been able to employ more teachers in our schools, albeit many on a temporary basis.

“This latest action means temporary teachers in areas of need can now have the certainty of a permanent position. It is not only good news for them, but also for our students.”

Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell confirmed at least 10,000 roles across the State have been identified and the Department of Education will continue to work directly with principals to identify more. 

"This is an issue that has been raised with me by teachers and principals alike, including our Ambassador School Principals when we met earlier this year, and I made it clear that I wanted to have more staff in permanent roles,” Ms Mitchell said.  

“We have more teachers working in NSW public schools than ever before, and we need to ensure they are working in the places we need them most.

“The pandemic allowed us to amend the existing staffing agreement to create new ways of converting excess temporary teachers to permanent positions.

“However, progress has been hampered by the union, who have since blocked attempts to continue these new permanent pathways. I am determined to see more teachers in permanent roles across the state and will press ahead regardless.” 

Ms Mitchell also confirmed plans to convert temporary Student Learning Support Officers (SLSO) roles into permanent positions.  

“Our Student Learning Support Officers are critical – they play a vital role in our schools alongside our teachers, often working with our more disadvantaged students and those who have additional needs,” Ms Mitchell said. 

“We want to give those SLSOs on temporary contracts more certainty by also offering them permanent roles.” 

This latest action is in addition to the NSW Government’s ongoing teacher recruitment and innovative $125m Teacher Supply Strategy to attract and retain more teachers in our schools.  

The Government has already announced programs to fast track high-calibre graduates and experienced professionals into our classrooms, recruit more teachers from overseas, and plans to reward our best teachers with higher salaries to keep them in the classroom.