Your industrial update provides information and news related to your rights and conditions at work, brought to you by the team of experts in the AEU office. This edition covers:
- The federal election – what you can and can’t do
- Special education allowance
- School holidays and leave
- SLC and SLB increment point
- Purchased leave
Federal election – what you can and can’t do
We’re educators because we care about the world around us. We’re proud that AEU members are civically engaged and want to participate in our democracy, especially during election time.
This election will be crucial for public education, and the success of our For Every Child campaign relies on educators feeling confident to participate in public debate.
We want you to feel assured in your rights and responsibilities when it comes to the federal election. All AEU members are ACT public servants. Here’s what that means for you:
What can I do outside work?
You’re generally free to participate in political activities outside work hours, including:
- Joining a political party
- Attending campaign events
- Volunteering for campaign activities like doorknocking or letterboxing
This civic engagement is protected under the Human Rights Act through your rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of association.
What about during work hours?
When you’re at work, you need to maintain political impartiality. In practical terms, this means:
- You can wear union-branded clothing, but not items with political party logos or slogans
- You can discuss electoral processes and democratic principles objectively
- You can present balanced information about current events when relevant to teaching
- You cannot use work resources for campaign activities or display partisan materials at work
Can I get in trouble for my political activities?
Generally not, if you follow these simple guidelines:
- Don’t give the impression you’re representing your school or the ACT Government in any official capacity
- Don’t use information gained through your employment for political purposes
- Don’t do or say anything that could create a conflict (or the perception of a conflict) with your job responsibilities
Quick tips:
- If you plan significant political involvement, have a chat with your manager about it
- Be especially careful on social media – even ‘private’ posts can become public
- Do feel confident in your right to civic engagement while balancing your professional obligations. You know what your community needs, and democracy needs your voice.
If you have questions or concerns, contact the AEU office – we’re here to help. Further information can be found in the ACT Government’s guide for public servants.
Special education allowance
Our members working in specialist schools, in designated special education classes, or employed to teach/assist with an individual special education student(s) are entitled to receive a ‘Special Education’ allowance. The allowance is payable to classroom teachers, school leaders B and C, and school assistants. In addition, casual teachers and school assistants should also receive the allowance, particularly if they are casually engaged to work in a specialist school.
In relation to eligibility, you will be entitled to receive the allowance if:
- You work at one of the ACT’s four specialist schools (Black Mountain School, the Woden School, Cranleigh School or Malkara School); or
- You work exclusively or partly in a designated special education class within a mainstream school (i.e. a small group program or learning support unit); or
- You are employed exclusively or partly to assist a student who is identified as eligible for additional education support.
The amounts payable for the allowance vary, depending on your role.
- For a classroom teacher/school leader B or C, the annual allowance is $3,242.
- For a school assistant 1-3, the annual allowance is $1,670.
- For a school assistant 4, the annual allowance is $1,804.
While the allowance is an annual amount, eligible employees will receive the allowance in fortnightly payments. For instance, a classroom teacher working full-time in a specialist setting would currently expect to receive around $125 per fortnight.
Furthermore, if you only work part time, or if a fraction of your working week is spent in a specialist setting, designated special education class or with a special education student, you will receive a pro rata amount based on the percentage of time spent working in the special education class or with the special education student. For instance, if you are a classroom teacher who spends 50% of your week in a designated special education class, you would expect to receive 50% of $125 per fortnight, so around $62.
If you believe you should receive the allowance, you should first make a request to your school leadership. If you are eligible, approvals are made through school leadership to Shared Services.
Should you require any further advice or assistance, please reach out to us at aeuact@aeuact.org.au.
School holidays and leave
Did you know... if you take leave immediately before and after stand down, the stand down period is deducted from
your leave, too.
If you are on paid or unpaid leave immediately before and after the stand down period, the stand down period is taken as that leave type. This applies for any type of leave.
Let’s say you’re taking long service leave for terms 1 and 2. If you’re on leave for the last day of term one, and the first day of term 2, then the stand down period between terms 1 and 2 will be deducted from your long service leave balance.
If in this example you worked for the last day or term 1 or the first day of term 2, the period of stand down would be paid at the normal rate and not deducted from your leave balance..
SLC and SLB additional increment
Following reports from members we became aware of problems with the application of the new SLB/SLC increment points which commenced on 27 January this year. We understand the issue relates to those who had accessed periods of leave without pay.
Having brought this to the attention of the employer, we are now advised that the problem is widespread. We are advised that staff from People and Performance are in the process of contacting affected staff with information on when they can expect back pay.
We have become aware of a potential further issue of the increment point not being passed on to those who have been on long-term acting higher duties arrangements. If you are currently acting as an SLC or SLB and have done so for an extended period of time over the past few years, please reach out to us at aeuact@aeuact.org.au to discuss your situation.
Purchased leave – classroom teachers and school leaders
Have you previously taken purchased leave from the EDU?
We would be interested in hearing from you and your experience. Please contact us at aeuact@aeuact.org.au.