Teacher Class Salary
Overview
The remuneration for the Teacher Class is expressed in terms of a salary package. The remuneration for the principal class is expressed in terms of a total remuneration package. The difference between a salary package and a total remuneration package relates to the cost of employer superannuation that is included within a total remuneration package but excluded from a salary package. This difference is illustrated in the diagram below:
The Teacher Class salary package includes:
- salary
- any optional benefits the individual may have elected to include in the salary package in lieu of salary such as a novated lease vehicle.
In addition to the salary package the Department pays the employer contribution to a statutory superannuation fund or other complying superannuation fund on behalf of the individual.
Employer superannuation contribution
The Department is required to make employer superannuation contributions on behalf of all members of the Teaching Service to either a defined benefits scheme (the Revised Scheme, the New Scheme or the SERB Scheme) or an accumulation scheme (e.g. VicSuper).
For members of the Teacher Class this cost is met by the Department in addition to their salary package.
Salary for superannuation purposes (statutory schemes)
The salary package of a member of the Teacher Class who is a member of one of the statutory superannuation schemes (Revised, New or SERB) is their salary for superannuation purposes. A member of the Teacher Class who is not a member of a statutory superannuation scheme, will be required to nominate a complying superannuation fund for the purpose of receiving the employer's compulsory contribution.
Salary packaging
In keeping with modern remuneration practices, Teacher Class employees are able to determine the mix of salary and benefits (from the approved list) that will constitute their salary package.
The Department’s salary packaging arrangements provide individuals with the flexibility to meet their personal and financial needs while at the same time ensure the benefit arrangements comply with relevant taxation legislation and rulings.
Information on salary packaging arrangements is available by selecting the link to salary packaging under 'Related Topics' below.
Salary
Employment
A leading teacher will commence employment at the minimum leading teacher salary level unless otherwise determined by the Secretary.
The commencing salary on each new period of employment as a classroom teacher (excluding transfer) is determined in accordance with (a), (b) or (c) below (whichever results in the higher commencing salary):
(a) subdivision G-1, provided that:
- for positions advertised as classroom teacher (accomplished) the commencing salary will be subdivision A-1;
- for positions advertised as classroom teacher (expert) the commencing salary will be subdivision E-1;
(b) the current equivalent of the salary subdivision received by the teacher on the last day of his or her most recent employment as a teacher in the Teaching Service. Provided that where the salary in the former employment in the Teaching Service was determined incorrectly or is inconsistent with normal salary progression for a classroom teacher, the teacher's commencing salary will be determined in accordance with (c) below;
(c) salary subdivision G-1, plus a salary subdivision for each equivalent full time year of approved teaching experience (as defined below) up to a maximum of subdivision E-3.
A commencement salary calculator available under Procedures and Forms below can be used by principals and teachers to assist in determining salary on commencement.
Transfer
The salary level of a person who transfers to a position at the same classification level shall be his or her current salary or the minimum commencing salary of the category of the position that was advertised whichever is the higher. Provided that:
- the salary of a teacher whose salary progression has been accelerated shall be the salary subdivision that would have applied had acceleration not been approved;
- the salary of a leading teacher transferred to a classroom teacher position shall be the salary subdivision determined as if all of the leading teacher's service at or above that lower classification level had been at that lower classification level;
- the salary determined cannot exceed the maximum salary of the position.
Promotion
A teacher promoted to a position at a higher classification level commences at the minimum salary level for that higher position. Where prior to the effective date of the promotion the teacher has current service (including any higher duties allowance) at or above the higher position the salary on promotion will be determined as if all of the teacher’s current service at or above the minimum salary of the higher position had been at that higher position.
Approved Teaching Experience
For the purposes of calculating the commencing salary of a classroom teacher all teaching experience, other than casual relief teaching prior to 1 January 2005, gained subsequent to completion of an approved course of teacher training, and undertaken in a P-12 school setting or equivalent has been approved as teaching experience for commencing salary purposes and includes:
- employment (other than casual employment) with a Victorian Government school;
- employment (other than casual employment) with a Victorian registered non government school;
- employment (other than casual employment) with a Government school of another state or territory;
- employment (other than casual employment) with a non government school of another state or territory that is approved in accordance with the requirements of that state or Territory to provide instruction at P-12 or part thereof;
- employment as a casual relief teacher on or after 1 January 2005 in any of the above schools
Teaching experience in a school setting other than as set out above, including international experience, may be recognised for commencement salary purposes. Advice should be sought from Schools HR Services in these circumstances.
Teaching experience in early childhood, kindergarten, TAFE or Higher education settings has not been approved as teaching experience for salary purposes.
Annual Salary Progression
Salary progression for teachers and leading teachers is not automatic. The performance of a classroom teacher or leading teacher will be assessed annually based on achievement against Departmental criteria appropriate to each classification level. Salary progression will be linked to achievement against the applicable professional standards and the use of relevant data. Teachers must demonstrate that all the relevant standards have been met to receive salary progression.
From 2009 the salary progression cycle will be common to all classroom teachers and leading teachers commencing on 1 May each year and concluding on 30 April in the following year. A performance assessment will be undertaken at the end of each salary progression cycle. If a classroom teacher or leading teacher is absent on leave at the time of assessment alternative arrangements for the assessment can be agreed.
A classroom teacher or leading teacher with four or more months’ eligible service in any particular progression cycle is eligible for salary progression. Eligible service includes all periods of paid leave and any periods of unpaid leave that have been approved to count as service. Approved teaching experience (as set out above) undertaken during a period of leave without pay will be included as eligible service for salary progression purposes.
Salary progression will be suspended during any period that a classroom teacher or leading teacher is the subject of unsatisfactory performance procedures.
Acceleration
A classroom teacher may be considered for accelerated salary progression within their school in accordance with procedures determined by the Department. Where a principal wishes to recommend a classroom teacher for acceleration the case is to be put to the Deputy Secretary, Office for Government School Education, who has the delegated authority to approve acceleration.
In general, applications for accelerated salary progression are considered having regard to the need to retain a teacher or to recognise a teacher’s performance.
Acceleration is available to recognise that a teacher’s performance demonstrates that the teacher is operating at a higher category and can satisfy the professional standards at that higher level (i.e. graduate to accomplished or expert or accomplished to expert). Acceleration within a category on performance grounds is not available as the annual performance arrangements are designed to recognise performance within a category. Where approved, acceleration is to the base of the new category with normal performance and development arrangements being the mechanism to progress within the category.
Applications for acceleration are considered on their merits having regard to factors such as:
- is the risk of the staff member leaving the Teaching Service real or perceived
- the current salary of the teacher;
- opportunities for future salary increases;
- relativity with the salary levels of other teachers performing similar duties;
- the level of skill, experience and qualifications which the teacher may possess;
- meeting the professional standards at a higher level;
- the degree of difficulty in replacing the teacher.
Where acceleration is approved it is confined to the school in which it is granted. That is, should the teacher change schools the teacher’s salary will be that which it would have been had the acceleration not occurred, including recognition of the years of service at the higher level for salary purposes.
Secretary's Discretion
The Secretary may determine the salary of any teacher other than set out above provided the salary determined cannot exceed the maximum salary for the relevant classification.
Principals | Education Support Class | Teachers
Other Resources
Procedures & Forms
The commencement salary for a teacher is based on their previous approved teaching experience. Choose the relevant commencement calculator as follows:
- Where the commencement date of the period of employment is 1 January 2009 or later, use Version 7 (Excel, 211K) (Version date 18 February 2009)
- Where the commencement date of the period of employment is between 30 July 2008 and 31 December 2008, use Version 6 (Excel, 211K) (Version date 18 February 2009)
- Where the commencement date of the period of employment is between 1 January 2006 and 29 July 2008 later, use Version 5 (Excel, 398K) (Version date: 30/8/2008)
- Request for recognition of teaching experience form (Word, 208k)
Legislation
Related Topics
