NSW has started the new school year with a 20% drop in teacher vacancies.
The state began Term 1 2024 with 460 fewer teacher vacancies than the same time last year, Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning, Prue Car confirmed this week.
The Minister said there were 1,782 teacher vacancies in the first week of the 2024 school year compared to 2,242 at the start of 2023.
“To see vacancies trending in the right direction – downward – is encouraging after record vacancies under the Liberals and Nationals. We still have a lot of work to do to turn around the shortage, and addressing teacher vacancies remains a key priority for the Minns Government,” she said.
“These figures affirm our decision to deliver a once-in-a-generation wage rise to NSW public school teachers, along with our focus on easing teacher workload and improving student behaviour.
The Minister said there had been a significant fall in vacancies in regional, rural and remote NSW, where schools have traditionally been harder to staff. Vacancies in these areas have dropped by almost 25%, from 1,241 at the start of school last year in 2023, to 938 in 2024, she said.
The start of the 2024 school year saw 6,261 teachers appointed to their first permanent role with the Department of Education this term, an increase of 4,575 on the same time last year.
“Getting permanent, well paid teachers into our classrooms will pay dividends down the line when it comes to academic outcomes for our students,” said Ms Car.
“While these are positive numbers, the experience of teachers on the ground is critical. That’s why, unlike the former Liberal National Government, I will continue to listen to our teachers and their real concerns about staff shortages.
“These initiatives are underpinned by a desire to restore respect for the teaching profession and let our school staff know we value the work they do every day in educating our children,” she said.
