Whether you’re starting a new career or celebrating diversity, we have a network for you.
Our member networks don’t just run great training and events, they also allow you to build the connections and relationships that will enhance your career. We want you to know that our union stands with you, whether you’re navigating those tricky first years of teaching or furthering the causes of inclusion and diversity.
New educators network
Are you within your first three years of teaching? The AEU is committed to helping new educators survive and thrive during their early career. We understand how challenging the early years of teaching can be and that in order to retain your enthusiasm, training and expertise, you need support!
The New Educator Network meets once every term. Each gathering delivers targeted professional practice sessions to help you tackle the challenges unique to the first few years of teaching.
Term 1: New Educator Conference
Term 2: Report Writing
Term 3: Progressing to full registration
Term 4: TBC
Network events are also an opportunity to seek advice on your rights and entitlements and provide feedback on what matters to you as a new educator.
Participation in New Educator Network meetings is free, with finger food and drinks provided. All new educator members, New Educator Contact Officers and new educator mentors are welcome to attend.
If you know a new educator who is not yet a member, invite them to join today and attend the next gathering of the New Educator Network!
Keep an eye on our events calendar for the next meeting. For more information, contact our New Educator Organiser, Ingrid Bean, on 6272 7900 or at ingrid.bean@aeuact.org.au.
First nations network
The AEU acknowledges the traditional owners of country throughout Australia and recognises their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to elders both past and present.
In solidarity with the First Nations Peoples, the AEU is committed to:
- securing significant ongoing funding to improve the achievement gap and retention rates for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
- ensuring that non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander teachers and workers have an understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories and cultures and that the Australian curriculum includes these perspectives.
- working closely with the ACTU and other unions to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have fair employment and working conditions no matter what industry they work in.
The AEU is a proud supporter of Reconciliation Australia.
In 2023 the AEU, walking shoulder to shoulder with Yalukit Yulendj, (the AEU’s national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Committee) has committed to campaign for a successful yes vote in the referendum on the first nations voice to parliament. Participating in this campaign aligns with the goals of public education and with our commitment to social justice and equity. By supporting the efforts of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, we can help to create a more inclusive and just society, and we can contribute to the ongoing work of reconciliation. Most importantly, we can ensure that all Australians benefit, as we always have done, by listening to the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and being enriched by their culture and perspectives.
For more information or to join our network, contact Katie Slater on 6272 7900 or at katie.slater@aeuact.org.au.
School assistants network
The School Assistant Network provides our school assistant members with an opportunity to learn more about their rights and conditions at work, discuss collective ways to resolve common issues in the workplace and work together to make change.
The network meets once each term, so members can get up-to-date information and have an opportunity to meet with like-minded school assistant members in the education system.
Keep any eye on our calendar for upcoming meetings and events! For more information about how to get involved, contact Ingrid Bean, on 6272 7900 or at ingrid.bean@aeuact.org.au.
Women's network
Supporting and advocating for women’s rights is part of the AEU ACT’s core business. Women, non-binary, and gender diverse members make up 76% of our membership. We campaign and lobby around issues that impact women, including family friendly work arrangements, equitable promotion practices, and work environments that are free of discrimination and harassment. We are also committed to supporting those members who work in casual, contract and other insecure work, because we know that insecure work makes it hard for women to balance work and family life. The AEU ACT has led the way, winning significant entitlements for working women and gender diverse members, including:
- The right to request part-time work when returning from paid/unpaid parental leave and a right to return to work in your same job, at the same pay
- Paid leave to support victims of family and domestic violence
- Paid parental leave at full or half pay
- Increased superannuation contributions, up to 104 weeks on paid or unpaid leave
- Equal pay
- Lactation breaks – 1 paid hour per day, in a suitable room that is comfortable, clean, private and accessible
- Additional leave entitlements in the case of miscarriage or stillbirth
- Up to 5 days of assisted reproductive leave
- Up to 4 weeks of gender affirmation leave at full pay
The Women’s Network meets once a term and includes a range of events and opportunities. When a Women’s Network event is held, it is open to all women, non-binary, and gender diverse members, but is typically advertised to Women’s Contact Officers first. Some of the events include:
- IWD Trivia Night
- Termly events on issues affecting women (e.g menstruation & menopause, financial wellbeing, safety at work)
- Anna Stewart Memorial Project
- Rosemary Richards Scholarship
- Federal Women’s Conference
The Network’s aim is to provide a safe space for women to contribute meaningfully to the development and growth of the AEU ACT. It strives to support and promote women’s participation across all levels of the AEU’s structures, while raising awareness of the specific needs of female members. The Network also seeks to improve understanding of women’s entitlements and address the daily challenges faced by our female members. By fostering connections with professionals from various fields, the Network aims to broaden our collective knowledge and understanding. Additionally, the Network aims to enhance the involvement of women within the AEU ACT by encouraging them to pursue representative roles within the union structures and job opportunities within the union.
For more information about being involved, contact our Women’s Officer, Katie Slater, on 6272 7900 or at katie.slater@aeuact.org.au.
Pride network
The AEU Pride Network was formed with the aim of making our schools and workplaces more inclusive for LGBTIQ staff and students.
The AEU proudly sponsored two of our members to attend the Diversity in Education Conference and the Sydney World Pride Human Rights Conference in March 2023. Read their report in the News section of this website.
Here are links to resources from the Gender and Sexuality Diversity in Schools centre at the University of Western Sydney.
GSA Connect – resources to support new and established Gender and Sexuality Alliances (GSAs) and similar groups that are working to make schools safer and more inclusive for all students.
“What Parents Want: Talking about Gender and Sexuality Diversity in Schools” (or “What Parents Want” for short) is a package of research-based professional learning resources which aims to support educators in understanding gender and sexuality diverse young people’s experiences at school.
Look out for our showcase Wear it Purple Day trivia night in August each year.
Want to be involved? Contact our Pride Network Organiser, Ingrid Bean on 6272 7900 or at ingrid.bean@aeuact.org.au.