Education

Increasing Teachers Pay

The Federal Government will provide the first reward payment to top performing teachers in 2014, based on teacher performance in 2013. 

Around one in ten of the best classroom teachers will receive a performance bonus each year. Based on current wages, this bonus would be around $8000 for our most experienced teachers.

The Government will develop a nationally consistent, transparent and equitable performance management system the 'Australian Teacher Performance Management Principles and Procedures' so the best performing teachers can be identified and rewarded.

These will be developed by the Australian Institute of Teaching and School Leadership and will set out the aspects of a teacher's performance to be assessed and will cover elements such as:

• Student achievement,
• Contribution to the school community including providing support to other teachers,
• Contribution to extra-curricular activities and student support.
  

Child Care Rebate

The Federal Labor Government has increased the Child Care Rebate from July 2008 from 30 per cent to 50 per cent of out-of-pocket child care expenses, providing families with up to $7,500 per child per year towards their child care costs.

We also made the rebate, received by around 700,000 families, payable fortnightly.

Education Tax Refund 

Helping working families meet the cost of education through the Education Tax Refund. 

• Providing a rebate for things like laptops, software, school text books and uniforms;
• For the 2009-10 financial year, eligible expenses of up to $780 for each child undertaking primary school studies and up to $1,558 for each child undertaking secondary school studies.
• Around 800,000 families and 1.4 million students have already received to around $500 million in claimed tax rebates for eligible educational expenses incurred in the 2008-09 financial year, with more families to benefit as they complete their tax returns.

Trades Training Centres

From 2012 students from Years 9 to 12 will be offered a new National Trade Cadetship as an option under the National Curriculum. This cadetship will be delivered through their local Trades Training Centre and through other eligible venues.

There will be two streams of National Trade Cadetship available:

1. National Trade Cadetship - Foundation which will focus on essential work readiness skills and laying the foundation for further training; and

2. National Trade Cadetship - Pre-Apprentice which will focus on specific trade or occupation area.

Cadet Work Experience

The Federal Government will invest $25 million to ensure school students gain experience and confidence in a real work environment as part of the National Trade Cadetship being delivered in Trades Training Centres. 

Up to 50,000 additional structured work experience places will be provided, with the first cohort of students undertaking a National Trade Cadetship in 2012 to be the first to benefit.

Teach Next 

We all know the difference a great teacher can make in the life of a student. That is why the Federal Government is committed to recruiting, training, retraining and rewarding great teachers.

The Federal Government's Teach Next program is designed to tap into the knowledge of highly skilled and qualified professionals in areas such as maths and science, so they can share their expertise and passion with Australian students.

Many highly skilled and experienced individuals, like accountants, bankers, engineers and scientists have considered a career in teaching, but have been put off by the time it takes to meet the qualification hurdles.

Teach Next will offer experienced professionals a new option, by providing intensive training that will allow them to quickly move into classrooms with appropriate support and start earning a wage.