Friday & Saturday, 14-15 November 2025
We are a strong, independent, democratic union of public educators protecting and improving our industrial and professional rights and promoting quality public education for all.
Our guiding principles
Welcome to all of our delegates and guests to November 2025 State Council Conference.
It might be hard to believe but this meeting of the union’s supreme decision-making body will be starting the process of developing a new Log of Claims.
We have encouraging success to build upon, with the wins we secured in both the Schools and TAFE General Agreements 2023. These wins are now actively being delivered.
November 2025 also marks the second anniversary of the release of Facing the Facts. I would suggest this has become the most influential independent report into public education that we have ever seen in this country, never mind Western Australia.
It was commissioned to start a conversation and has been hugely successful, becoming pretty much a blueprint for reforming the public school system in WA.
In a time of global turmoil and a worrying increase in polarisation, education has never had a more important role in shaping opinions and developing enquiring minds.
We also live in a time when TAFE has become absolutely central to underpinning WA’s industrial and economic development. It is the SSTUWA’s role to ensure what is needed both in terms of infrastructure and people to ensure TAFE can deliver in that crucial role.
Thank you for your time and commitment in being involved with State Council Conference and I look forward to the many discussions that will be held as we strive to build a public education system that we all deserve.
Matt Jarman President, SSTUWA
Matt Jarman President
Bruce Banyard
Natalie Blewitt
Tom James
Matt Jarman
Marie Klein
Ellie Aldred Growth Team Intern
Kevlynn Annandale ETC Coordinator
Janette Bedwell Women's Organiser
Cherry Bogunovich
ETC Training Officer, Organiser Schools
Pat Byrne Contracts Officer
Liz Carbone
Legal Services Advocate
Tony Daley
Member Assist Intern
Ian Daw Organiser Schools
Marina Denn Member Assist Officer
Natalie Blewitt Senior Vice President
Sharmila Nagar Vice President
Mary Franklyn General Secretary
Rob Lawson
Kathy Mannion
Sharmila Nagar
Maurice Palmer
Melissa Peden
John Reid
Heather Riseberry
Lincoln Rose
Samantha Schofield
Sally Dennis Organiser Schools
Marie-Louise Earle-Sadler Organiser Schools
John Elliman Member Assist Coordinator
Lindsay Hale School Leaders Consultant
Chloe Hosking Growth Team Coordinator
Joe Isaia Organiser Schools
Simon Joachim Growth Team Intern
Jason Lowry Organiser Schools
Ramona Mitussis Organiser TAFE
Leeane Alfano
Toni Bass
Robyn Bloxham
Jenny Case
Gabrielle Clark
Karen Devey
Michelle Devine
Bob Figg
Stacey Scorer
Tanya Uren
Sharon Vertigan
Pauline Winrow
Helen Olivieri Legal Services Case Manager
Antony Pearson WHS Organiser
Melissa Rinaldi School Leaders Organiser
Mario Schmidt Assistant Legal Services Coordinator, Legal Services Case Manager
Natalie Swinbourn Coordinator, Schools Organiser Team
John Theodorsen Legal Services Consultant
Vicki Turner Organiser Schools
Sam Yates Organiser Schools, Campaign Project Officer
Carole Franklin
Hayley Fretwell
Diane Fry
Florecil Harris
Beverley Harrison
Heather Henry
Vijitha Kalubowila
Cecilia Kevan
Minh Lam
Emilly Larsen
Oswald Mandl
Sarah Maraglio
Shaun Mattheus
Constance Papamichail
Dawn Reeves
Donna Samson
Michelle Sherwin
Sheryl Spurway
Danielle Stitfall
Daniela Van Lendt
Heather Van Lendt
Helen Warnock
Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander Education
Susanne Bowles
Kayla Chester
John Hillier
Matthew Jones
George Laughton
Candice Matthews
Maurice Palmer
Elizabeth Stack
Glen Stephen
Cedric Taylor
Helen Thompson
* Sharmila Nagar
Bruce Banyard
Natalie Blewitt
Matt Jarman
Marie Klein
Kathy Mannion
Sharmila Nagar
Sharon Vertigan
Pauline Winrow
Disputes Resolution
Shannon Bodekar
Renee Chapple
Sarah Dinan
Gary Hedger
Jessica Jenkin
Vanessa Katnich
Vicki Treen
Wanda Vanzetti
Early Childhood Education
Justine Moorman
Stacey Scorer
Rebecca Tinley
Sharon Vertigan
* Natalie Blewitt
^ Cherry Bogunovich
Education
Jessica Power
* Sharmila Nagar
Emergency
Bruce Banyard
Natalie Blewitt
Matt Jarman
Kathy Mannion
Sharmila Nagar
Finance
Bruce Banyard
Natalie Blewitt
Ian Daw
Mary Franklyn
Diane Fry
Matt Jarman
Sharmila Nagar
Frank Sciarrone
Helen Warnock
Legal
Natalie Blewitt
Liz Carbone
Mary Franklyn
Matt Jarman
Sharmila Nagar
Mario Schmidt
John Theodorsen
LGBTIQ+
Nike Browning
Renee Chapple
Kai Griffiths
Marie Klein
V Williamson
* Sharmila Nagar
New Educators
Marcel Biggar
Max Boronovski
Christina Chabros
Madison Copeland
Charlotte Eden
Alia Evans
Jack Finucane
Samuel Halstrom
Meredith Kinsella
Katherine Loader
Hannah Lukowiak-Gray
Sarah Roberts
Craig Roger
Leah Slater
Elijah Tilbee
* Natalie Blewitt
^ Chloe Hosking
Mary Franklyn
Matt Jarman
Sharmila Nagar
Pauline Winrow
School Leaders
Christopher Brackenreg
Christy Craig
Paul Fuller
Belinda Hall
Fleur Henry
Kellie Ketteringham
Marie Klein
Christian Louis
Mike Morgan
Kate Murrihy
Carolyn Nunn
Hilary Saunders
Tony Watson
Julie Woodhouse
Kerryn Woodhouse
* Matt Jarman
^ Melissa Rinaldi
Wayne Aspen SMT Rockingham Trade
Pat Burke NMT Leederville
Mark Carson NMT East Perth
Phillip Christian CRT Kalgoorlie
Rhonda Coffey NRT Pundulmurra
Bradley Davy NRT Karratha
Mark England NMT 19 Aberdeen St
Stuart Graves NMT Midland
Rav Gwaliorkar CRT Geraldton
Matthew Highman SMT Armadale
Jonelle Rafols SMT Murdoch
Paul Stephenson NMT Balga
Grant Welch SMT Maritime
Lucy Wellstead SRT Albany
Craig Wilson NMT 25 Aberdeen St
Beverley Worrall NMT Kendrew
Nabin Yadav SMT Thornlie Non-Trade
Gary Hedger AEU TAFE representative
* Matt Jarman
^ Ramona Mitussis
Daniel Badullovich CRT Geraldton
Mark Butterworth NMT Kendrew
Owen Gale NRT Pundulmurra
William Griffiths SRT Albany
Khairil Idris NMT Midland
George Laughton CRT Kalgoorlie
Chris Quedley NMT Balga
Vanessa Rooney NMT 25 Aberdeen St
Richard Treasure NMT East Perth
Natalie Blewitt
Elizabeth Carbone
Lydia Cavallaro
Renee Chapple
Ian Daw
Sally Dennis
Sarah Dinan
Ruth Ellis
Mary Franklyn
Matt Jarman
Jessica Jenkin
Vanessa Katnich
Paul Knapton
Sharmila Nagar
Antony Pearson
Natalie Swinbourn
Sean Vagg
Ramona Carroll
Renee Chapple
Sarah Dinan
Ruth Ellis
Heidi Holmen
Marie Klein
Rebecca Mueller
Melissa Peden
Nicola Sorrell
Sharon Vertigan
* Sharmila Nagar
^ Janette Bedwell
* Senior officer with portfolio responsibility
^ Organiser with portfolio responsibility
The SSTUWA president, Matt Jarman, is also an ex-officio member of every SSTUWA member committee.
Matt Jarman President
Executive
Bruce Banyard
Natalie Blewitt
Tom James
Matt Jarman
Marie Klein
Natalie Blewitt Senior Vice President
Sharmila Nagar Vice President
Mary Franklyn General Secretary
Rob Lawson
Kathy Mannion
Sharmila Nagar
Maurice Palmer
Melissa Peden
District 1: Belmont
Entitlement – 7
Laura Carman
Jaelee Nysen
Daniel Shaw
Lance Wood
District 2: Bunbury
Entitlement – 10
Craig Bourne
Renée Chapple
Sol Hanna
James Keillor
Nghia Nguyen
Paul Reynolds
Natasha Schmitt
District 3: Butler
Entitlement – 8
Wesley Buzza
Sarah Dinan
Matthew Stelov
Beverley Worrall
District 4: Fremantle
Entitlement – 8
Lydia Cavallaro
Ruth Ellis
Jade Elvin
Sarah Venning
John Reid
Heather Riseberry
Lincoln Rose
Samantha Schofield
District 5: Goldfields
Entitlement – 7
Hannah Barnes
Sheree Halford
Geoffrey MacNicol
Nicola Rose
Joey Stuart
District 6: Hillarys
Entitlement – 12
Jakob Brooks
Geoff Miller
Ashlee Passmore
Sean Vagg
District 7: Jandakot
Entitlement – 9
Anna Di Noto
Stacey Scorer
Tanya Uren
Sharon Vertigan
Pauline Winrow
District 8: Kalamunda
Entitlement – 13
Matthew Highman
Sebastian Liffers
Priya Sarbajna
Leah Slater
Michael Smith
Linda Valdrighi
Cassandra Vogels
Reece Young
District 9: KimberleyPilbara
Entitlement – 12
Christopher Bond
Danielle Boyd
Suzanne Brealey
Chris Buck
Trisha Chapman
Jacqueline Collis
Damien Jameson
Chalice Kelly
Chelsea Silvasi
Sue Smith
Jodie Thompson
Heather Van Den Rydt
District 10: Maylands Entitlement – 7
Keenan Chandler
Nicole Hall
Madeline McFee
Dale Nixon
Helene Offer
Carol Salt
Heidie Vanzetti
District 11: Moore Entitlement – 10
Luke Aubrey
Tristan Broomhall
Grant Dodd
Kristine Fleming
Jen Heath
Renee Skehan
Lesley Stace
Michelle Steel
Brenda Wann
District 12: Morley Entitlement – 7
Chris Henley
Stephanie Hughes
District 13: Murray Entitlement – 7
Lori Anders
Lesley Griffiths
Ric Holster
Karin Jackson
District 14: Perth Entitlement – 10
Nike Browning
Pat Burke
James Cassidy
Rick McMahon
Peter O'Neill
Sam Testa
District 15: Riverton Entitlement – 10
Bradley Carlé
Kai Griffiths
Jessica Jenkin
Rachel Kealley
Ngaire Lowry
Belinda Mahood
Gordon Traynor
District 16:
Rockingham Entitlement – 15
Christina Chabros
Gary Davies
Gary Hedger
Annette Hider
Aleesha McKenna-Green
Sarah Murray
Paul Otto
Michelle Pilkington
Graham Rees
Donna Sparke
Vanessa Williamson
District 17: Scarborough Entitlement – 6
Allan Bertram
Chloe Bravos
Ramona Carroll
Andrew Dawson
Judi Harrison-Ellis
Kellie Ketteringham
District 18: Stirling Entitlement – 7
Rob Berwick
Ken Cornwell
Virginia Mercer
Alison Quinn
Jason Seal
District 19: Swan Entitlement – 9
Amy Blitvich
Kayla Chester
Shaaron Cullen
Brendon Nutt
Jamie Petrides
Nicola Sorrell
Chris Spencer
Sandra Szopski
Helen Whooley
District 20: Victoria Park Entitlement – 7
Heather Gerrard
Paul Knapton
Ainsley Poon
Richard Sheppard
James Youd
Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre: 21 Mounts Bay Rd, Perth WA
Parking options are limited, and public transport is recommended. Nearby paid car parks fill up quicklydelegates are advised to arrive early if they require parking.
Nearby paid parking: City of Perth operates paid parking located underneath the Convention Centre. Visit cityofperthparking.com.au for more information. Wilson Parking is also in the vicinity; find out more at wilsonparking.com.au
Day 1 – Friday 14 November 2025
Morning: 8.15am to 12.30pm
Lunch: 12.30pm to 1.15pm
Afternoon: 1.15pm to 5pm
Day 2 – Saturday 15 November 2025
Morning: 8.15am to noon
Lunch: noon to 12.45pm
Afternoon: 12.45pm to 4pm
Delegates have access to tea and coffee for the duration of State Council Conference.
Friday 14 November, 5-6.30pm, at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre
Delegates are requested to hold discussions outside the conference room to ensure that debate can be heard.
Executive has appointed a State Council Agenda Committee based on Conference Decision 46 of 1986.
The Agenda Committee will deal with agenda matters raised at State Council. State Council delegates are directed to suggest changes to the agenda to committee members by:
8.30am on Friday 12.45pm on Friday 8.30am on Saturday
Delegates to State Council must be financial members and only financial members will be entitled to nominate as delegates to State Council.
A financial member is defined as a member who has fully paid the account for membership fees. The State Council is divided into 20 districts. TAFE members are included in these districts and are eligible to nominate and be elected as delegates to State Council.
Once nominations are closed and elections held (if necessary) the resultant list becomes the official roll for delegates and alternate delegates.
Union rules permit the reimbursement to delegates from outside the metropolitan area of expenses actually incurred to a sum equivalent to a first class rail fare or public transport fare, whichever is the least. In the case of duly accredited delegates representing branches north of the 26th parallel, airfares for travel on a normal scheduled air service may be refunded.
Where delegates use their own vehicles, they may claim expenses not exceeding the public transport fare, or in the case of duly accredited delegates representing branches north of the 26th parallel, not exceeding airfares, so long as such claim is accompanied by receipts for petrol and oil purchased.
Delegates travelling more than 50km to attend State Council may claim accommodation expenses not exceeding public service rates for the number of days each delegate must be in Perth to attend the State Council.
Delegates must claim their accommodation costs for State Council prior to the event by completing the Booking and Claim Form for flights and accommodation. Funds will be paid directly to the delegate. Delegates may book accommodation at any venue they wish and are responsible for paying their accommodation fees directly to the provider.
Executive has resolved that State Council expenses be paid on the basis of two nights’ accommodation only, unless the driving distance is further than 500kms for the return trip or the normal mode of transport from the area concerned is by plane and plane schedules do not permit the delegate concerned to fit into the two nights’ accommodation schedule.
Delegates attending State Council from within the metropolitan area may claim expenses at the rate of $20 per session, if they attend all sittings on the day for which expenses are claimed.
Travelling, accommodation and metropolitan expenses referred to above will only be paid pro rata to the number of sittings attended by the delegate submitting the claim.
Claim forms will be available at the information desk at State Council or from the union office following State Council. Completed forms may, at the conclusion of State Council, be placed in a box supplied for this purpose, or posted or delivered to the union office.
The SSTUWA offers members a choice of payment for childcare:
• The SSTUWA pays the childcare provider, on presentation of a tax invoice, after the member’s attendance at the designated meeting. or
• The member pays the childcare provider, then submits the union expense claim form with supporting receipt, which is then reimbursed by the SSTUWA.
Contact the SSTUWA Accounts Team for further details: (08) 9210 6000 | accounts@sstuwa.org.au
Executive has directed that all literature distributed at State Council be endorsed by the author.
In the event that a delegate is unable to attend State Council, the alternate delegate becomes eligible to attend. The rules do not provide for proxy delegates.
Executive has resolved that at any major SSTUWA meeting or State Council, members of the press or other news media be required to be members of their relevant union if they wish to cover the conference or seminar.
Session 1
8.15am – 12.30pm
8.15am – 8.50am Registration and tea/coffee
8.50am – 9am Welcome to Country by Dr Richard Walley
9am – 9.30am President’s address by Matt Jarman
9.30am – 10.15am
Keynote speaker: Emeritus Professor Colleen Hayward AM Independent Chair of the Workload Intensification Taskforce
10.15am – 11am Morning tea
11am – 12.30pm Workshop: SSTUWA Log of Claims 2026
Lunch 12.30pm – 1.15pm
Session 2 1.15pm – 5pm
1.15pm – 1.30pm Re-registration
1.30pm – 2pm
Keynote speaker: Hon Amber-Jade Sanderson Minister for Energy and Decarbonisation; Manufacturing; Skills and TAFE; Pilbara
2pm – 2.45pm Award: The Joy Barrett Work Health and Safety Award
2.45pm – 3pm Break
3pm – 4.30pm State Council reports
SC.1 Adoption of standing orders
SC.2 Rules report
SC.3 LGBTIQ+ report
SC.4 Growth Team report
SC.5 Early childhood education report
SC.6 WHS report
4.30 – 5pm
5pm-6.30pm
SC.7 SSTUWA life membership conferral, Anne Gisborne
State Council Conference Connections & Canapés
Unless the meeting decides otherwise, the following rules of debate shall be observed:
(a) Whenever the chairperson rises during a debate, any delegate standing shall immediately be seated and the chairperson shall be heard without interruption.
(b) When the chairperson considers it necessary to vacate the chair the chairperson shall ask one of the vice presidents to act in that capacity unless the meeting decides to elect another delegate as chairperson.
(c) Every delegate desiring to speak shall stand and address the chair.
(d) When two or more delegates stand at the same time to speak the chairperson shall call upon the delegate first observed
(e) Unless the meeting determines otherwise, speakers shall be limited to the following times:
(i) The proposer of a motion: five minutes for the introduction of the motion and three minutes for the reply.
(ii) The seconder of a motion and the proposer of an amendment, and all other speakers: three minutes.
(f) In any reply, the proposer of a motion shall introduce no new matter. The proposer of an amendment shall have no right of reply.
(g) A delegate who has seconded a motion without speaking to it, may speak at a later stage of the debate, if called upon by the chairperson.
(h) Only the mover of a motion shall speak twice on the same question unless by permission of the chairperson and/or meeting.
(i) Any person proceeding to speak a second time on the same question, unless in accordance with these rules, shall be called to order by the chairperson, except when explaining a point which has been misunderstood and without introducing any new matter, or when speaking to a point of order or in answer to a question directed to the speaker through the chair. Such answer shall contain no new matter.
(j) A mover of a motion who speaks to an amendment, shall lose the right of reply.
(k) A person who has spoken to a motion may make one speech on each of any subsequent amendments to the motion, but shall not be allowed to move any amendment.
(l) A motion having been proposed, it may be amended by leaving out, substituting or adding words. During the debate following the first amendment, it shall be competent for delegates to move or second further amendments. A delegate who has moved, seconded or spoken on an original motion or amendment shall not move or second an amendment to it, but may speak on an amendment subsequently moved and seconded by other delegates. Once the mover has replied, the question shall be submitted to the vote, the amendments being put to the State Council in the order they were received.
(m) The chairperson may refuse to accept any motion or amendment which has not been submitted in writing, with the names of the proposer and seconder.
(n) When a point of order is raised, any person speaking at the time shall cease speaking and no discussion other than the point of order shall be held until the point of order is disposed of.
(o) The reply of the mover shall conclude a discussion and on no pretence whatsoever shall a delegate be allowed to speak on a subject after the reply, or to re-open matter by question.
(p) The chairperson may inquire if any delegate wishes to oppose a motion and, if no opposition is signified, the question may be put without debate.
(q) Procedural motions:
Debate on a matter may be suspended by a motion:
(i) That the meeting be adjourned.
(ii) That debate on the question be adjourned/referred to an alternative process
(iii) That the meeting proceed to the next item of business.
Such motions must be formally moved and seconded and are carried by a simple majority.
Debate on a matter may be closed by a motion “That the question be now put” provided such a motion is formally moved and seconded and is carried by at least a two-thirds majority. Such a motion shall be put without debate, but no speaker shall be interrupted for the purpose of moving such a motion, nor shall it invalidate the right of reply of the mover of the substantive motion. Such a motion shall not be moved by a person who has spoken to the motion.
(r) Unless the meeting decides otherwise, debate on a motion will comprise three speakers for a motion and three speakers against. The three speakers for a motion shall include the mover and the seconder.
(s) Debate on a matter will be suspended whenever a delegate calls for a quorum.
(t) Every motion shall be put to the vote by a show of hands unless two delegates call for a division, in which case the meeting shall divide.
(u) In the event of a division, each row/district/table will appoint two delegates in the row/ district/table, or SSTUWA industrial staff, to act as tellers. When a division is called, all delegates in favour of the motion shall stand until all have been counted, or have returned a written voting slip to the tellers. This procedure will be repeated for all delegates voting against the motion. The tellers will communicate the numbers to the chairperson so that the aggregate votes, for and against the motion, can be communicated to State Council delegates.
(v) If the voting on a motion is equal the President, or the temporary chairperson, shall have a casting vote in addition to a deliberative vote.
(w) A delegate is guilty of a breach of order when a majority vote of delegates declares that the delegate has:
• used objectionable words and has refused to withdraw them or satisfactorily apologise for them; and/or
• used offensive words in reference to another delegate; and/or
• wilfully disturbed the orderly conduct of the meeting; and/or
• disobeyed a lawful order from the chair.
Should any delegate be declared guilty of a breach of order the remaining delegates may, by majority vote, censure or suspend that delegate from the remainder of the meeting or part thereof.
(x) The chairperson may adjourn a meeting. In such cases the remaining delegates may elect another chairperson by majority vote and commence a new meeting.
(y) The chairperson shall decide all points of order, but any delegate may move that such ruling be disagreed with. Should such a motion be moved, the chairperson shall leave the chair. The only speakers to such a motion shall be the mover of the dissent motion and the chairperson whose ruling is the subject of the dissent motion. Each speaker may speak for a maximum of one minute. There shall be no right of reply. When the motion has been decided, withdrawn or referred, the chairperson whose ruling was disputed, may resume the chair. Effect shall be given to any decision reached on the point of order by a majority of the meeting.
(z) These standing orders may be suspended at any time by a majority vote of delegates present.
(aa) By majority vote, State Council may decide to go into committee. These standing orders shall remain in force unless a majority of delegates decides to suspend them, but no press record of the proceedings shall be made until State Council resumes its open sitting.
(bb) A decision of the meeting may be re-considered on the vote of a two-thirds majority of the delegates present and voting.
(cc) These standing orders shall apply to meetings of both Executive and State Council.
Recommendation:
1. That the standing orders be adopted.
There are a significant number of proposed changes to the Rules of the SSTUWA at this State Council. Because of this, it is proposed to deal with them in two parts – those changes which represent administrative matters but do not change the substance of the rule and those which represent a change to the substance of the rule.
The administrative changes cover:
• Grammatical/typographical errors.
• Inconsistencies within the rules.
• The removal of gender pronouns.
• The updating of internal practices including changes which reflect current IT usage.
The substantive changes cover:
• An interpretation rule.
• The membership of SSTUWA industrial staff.
• The process of devolution currently set out in the rules.
• The manner in which SSTUWA rules may be changed.
That the stem of Rule 3 – Objects be amended by the addition of the word “to” after the word “be”.
Existing rule:
The objects of this Union shall be:
(a) uphold the rights, and to foster, protect and improve the rights and interests of members industrially and otherwise;
(b) foster, protect and promote the interests of public education, including kindergarten and preschool education, primary and secondary education and technical and further education;
(c) obtain and secure for its members the best possible conditions and proper and sufficient remuneration and to ensure that any relevant legislation is equitably applied and interpreted for the benefit of members;
(d) monitor the administration and working of other Acts of Parliament connected with education to safeguard the interests of members;
(e) secure the participation and influence of members in the administration, development and planning of education;
(f) uphold the rights of labour and to represent to members in the peak councils of the trade union movement and in international forums or organisations;
(g) promote preference to unionists;
(h) promote collectivism as the preferred approach to the resolution of industrial issues;
(i) support, establish, or aid in the establishment of any corporate entity (limited or unlimited), association or organisation of whatever description, for the purpose of providing benefits for or promoting the interests of the members of the Union and for any of the purposes provided for in this rule.
(j) amalgamate, affiliate or in any manner associate with other organisations, associations, institutions and groups in the pursuit of these Objects;
(k) elect, appoint and employ officers, professional officers and employees for the furtherance of the Union’s Objects and to remunerate such persons by salaries wages honoraria and other payments and benefits;
(l) make contributions to the financing of superannuation schemes or retirement funds for the benefit of the elected, appointed or employed officers, professional officers and employees and to enter into such arrangements as may be necessary for that purpose;
(m) provide or raise by loan or otherwise upon mortgage or other security all such moneys as may be necessary to provide and maintain Union Premises and to carry into effect and any of the Objects stated in these Rules.
(n) purchase, take on lease, hold, sell, lease, mortgage, exchange, or otherwise own, possess or deal with any real or personal property.
The proposed amendment inserts a preposition at the end of the stem to correct the current grammatical error.
The objects of this Union shall be to:
(a) uphold the rights, and to foster, protect and improve the rights and interests of members industrially and otherwise;
(b) foster, protect and promote the interests of public education, including kindergarten and preschool education, primary and secondary education and technical and further education;
(c) obtain and secure for its members the best possible conditions and proper and sufficient remuneration and to ensure that any relevant legislation is equitably applied and interpreted for the benefit of members;
(d) monitor the administration and working of other Acts of Parliament connected with education to safeguard the interests of members;
(e) secure the participation and influence of members in the administration, development and planning of education;
(f) uphold the rights of labour and to represent to members in the peak councils of the trade union movement and in international forums or organisations;
(g) promote preference to unionists;
(h) promote collectivism as the preferred approach to the resolution of industrial issues;
(i) support, establish, or aid in the establishment of any corporate entity (limited or unlimited), association or organisation of whatever description, for the purpose of providing benefits for or promoting the interests of the members of the Union and for any of the purposes provided for in this rule.
(j) amalgamate, affiliate or in any manner associate with other organisations, associations, institutions and groups in the pursuit of these Objects;
(k) elect, appoint and employ officers, professional officers and employees for the furtherance of the Union’s Objects and to remunerate such persons by salaries wages honoraria and other payments and benefits;
(l) make contributions to the financing of superannuation schemes or retirement funds for the benefit of the elected, appointed or employed officers, professional officers and employees and to enter into such arrangements as may be necessary for that purpose;
(m) provide or raise by loan or otherwise upon mortgage or other security all such moneys as may be necessary to provide and maintain Union Premises and to carry into effect and any of the Objects stated in these Rules.
(n) purchase, take on lease, hold, sell, lease, mortgage, exchange, or otherwise own, possess or deal with any real or personal property.
That Rule 6A(b) be amended by the deletion of the words “upon which he or she signed” and replacing them with the words “of signing”.
Existing rule:
6A
(a) An eligible employee may apply for membership of the Union by completing and signing the application form, as determined by the Executive from time to time.
(b) The applicant shall be deemed to be a member of the Union from the date upon which he or she signed the application form and shall be liable to pay all the subscriptions due to the Union from that date.
The proposed amendment removes gender pronouns and makes the necessary grammatical changes.
(a) An eligible employee may apply for membership of the Union by completing and signing the application form, as determined by the Executive from time to time.
(b) The applicant shall be deemed to be a member of the Union from the date of signing the application form and shall be liable to pay all the subscriptions due to the Union from that date.
That Rule 6B(g)(i) and (ii) be amended by the deletion of the words “he/she” wherever they appear and replacing them with the words “the member”.
(a) On and from a date advised by the Federal Secretary of the Australian Education Union, the SSTUWA may make application for membership of the Australian Education Union in accordance with this rule on behalf of any financial member of the Union who is eligible for membership of the Australian Education Union.
(b) An application by the SSTUWA under this rule may be made by the General Secretary or a person authorised by the General Secretary in writing.
(c) A single application pursuant to this rule may be made in respect of one or more members of the Union and shall in respect of each member include the address, occupation, employer and place of employment of each member.
(d) At least 30 days before making an application pursuant to this rule, the General Secretary or a person authorised by the General Secretary shall notify members of the Union on whose behalf it is proposed to make an application of the intention to make the application.
(e) A notification for the purposes of the previous sub-rule shall be either contained in a publication distributed to all members of the Union or in writing addressed to each member of the Union concerned.
(f) The notification shall set out the date on which the application is to be made and advise the member concerned that they may decline to become a member of the Australian Education Union by notifying the General Secretary of the Union that they do not wish to become a member of the Australian Education Union before the date on which the application is to be made.
(g) The notification referred to in sub-rule (d) shall also advise the members concerned that they may resign from membership of the AEU provided that:
(i) he/she gives at least three months’ notice in writing addressed and delivered to the Secretary of the AEU Branch to which he/she is attached and has paid all subscriptions, levies and fines which are due and payable at the date on which the resignation takes effect; or
(ii) in the case where he/she ceases to be employed in the industry of the Union, he/she gives notice in writing, addressed and delivered to the Secretary of the Branch to which he/she is attached.
The proposed amendment removes gender pronouns and replaces them with a specific reference to “the member”.
(a) On and from a date advised by the Federal Secretary of the Australian Education Union, the SSTUWA may make application for membership of the Australian Education Union in accordance with this rule on behalf of any financial member of the Union who is eligible for membership of the Australian Education Union.
(b) An application by the SSTUWA under this rule may be made by the General Secretary or a person authorised by the General Secretary in writing.
(c) A single application pursuant to this rule may be made in respect of one or more members of the Union and shall in respect of each member include the address, occupation, employer and place of employment of each member.
(d) At least 30 days before making an application pursuant to this rule, the General Secretary or a person authorised by the General Secretary shall notify members of the Union on whose behalf it is proposed to make an application of the intention to make the application.
(e) A notification for the purposes of the previous sub-rule shall be either contained in a publication distributed to all members of the Union or in writing addressed to each member of the Union concerned.
(f) The notification shall set out the date on which the application is to be made and advise the member concerned that they may decline to become a member of the Australian Education Union by notifying the General Secretary of the Union that they do not wish to become a member of the Australian Education Union before the date on which the application is to be made.
(g) The notification referred to in sub-rule (d) shall also advise the members concerned that they may resign from membership of the AEU provided that:
(i) the member gives at least three months’ notice in writing addressed and delivered to the Secretary of the AEU Branch to which the member is attached and has paid all subscriptions, levies and fines which are due and payable at the date on which the resignation takes effect; or
(ii) in the case where the member ceases to be employed in the industry of the Union, the member gives notice in writing, addressed and delivered to the Secretary of the Branch to which the member is attached.
That Rule 7(i) be amended by the deletion of the words “he/she has paid” in the first line and the words “or is repaying arrears” in the second line and inserting the words “have been paid or are being repaid” after the word “due”.
That Rule 7(ii) be amended by the deletion of the words “his/her membership of the” in the second sentence and replacing them with the word “membership” after the word “Union”.
That Rule 7(v) be amended by the deletion of the words “he/she” wherever they appear and replacing them with the words “the member”.
That Rule 7(i)-(v) be renumbered as Rule 7(a)-(e).
Existing rule:
7 – Financial Members
(i) No person shall be a financial member unless he/she has paid all current subscriptions, fines or levies due or is repaying arrears in accordance with Rule 17(a).
(ii) Subject to the provision of supporting documentation, a member on authorised leave without pay, upon application to the Executive, may be granted continuing membership without payment for the period of such leave, provided the member was not in arrears at the time of commencement of such leave. Such a member shall be entitled to all rights privileges or benefits arising out of his/her membership of the Union.
(iii) If any member fails to pay any subscription or levy on or before the day appointed for the payment thereof, the Union may act at any time thereafter during such time as the subscription or levy remains unpaid to serve a notice on such member requiring payment of the same together with any interest (rate to be decided by Executive from time to time) that
may have accrued and all expenses that may have been incurred by the Union by reason of non-payment. Such a decision shall be final subject to appeal to State Council.
(iv) Executive may, in special circumstances, waive the whole or portion of subscriptions and levies payable by a member or levied on such member.
(v) Any member who is not financial in accordance with sub-rule (i) of this Rule shall not be entitled to any rights, privileges or benefits whatsoever arising out of membership of the Union including being eligible to nominate for any Union election or to vote in that election if he/she remains unfinancial at the close of nomination for that election.
The proposed amendments
• remove gender pronouns and make the necessary grammatical changes to maintain the original intent of the rules 7(i), (ii) and (v);
• reconfigure the enumeration of the rule to make it consistent with the Rules generally.
(a) No person shall be a financial member unless all current subscriptions, fines or levies due have been paid or are being repaid in accordance with Rule 17(a).
(b) Subject to the provision of supporting documentation, a member on authorised leave without pay, upon application to the Executive, may be granted continuing membership without payment for the period of such leave, provided the member was not in arrears at the time of commencement of such leave. Such a member shall be entitled to all rights privileges or benefits arising out of Union membership
(c) If any member fails to pay any subscription or levy on or before the day appointed for the payment thereof, the Union may act at any time thereafter during such time as the subscription or levy remains unpaid to serve a notice on such member requiring payment of the same together with any interest (rate to be decided by Executive from time to time) that may have accrued and all expenses that may have been incurred by the Union by reason of non-payment. Such a decision shall be final subject to appeal to State Council.
(d) Executive may, in special circumstances, waive the whole or portion of subscriptions and levies payable by a member or levied on such member.
(e) Any member who is not financial in accordance with sub-rule (i) of this Rule shall not be entitled to any rights, privileges or benefits whatsoever arising out of membership of the Union including being eligible to nominate for any Union election or to vote in that election if the member remains unfinancial at the close of nomination for that election.
That the full stop after the word “of” in the first line of Rule 8(a) be deleted.
That Rule 8(a) be amended by the insertion of the word “membership” after the word “financial” and the deletion of all words after “member” in the last line.
That Rule 8(b) be amended by the deletion of the words “by operation of sections 64A or 64B of the Industrial Relations Act or” in the second line, and the removal of the quotation mark at the end of the third line.
Existing rule:
The General Secretary must
(a) cause to be kept a register of the members of. the union showing the name and residential address of each member and details of the financial status of each member in respect of his or her membership; and·
(b) cause the abovementioned register to be purged on not less than 4 occasions in each year by striking off the names of members whose membership had ended by operation of sections 64A or 64B of the Industrial Relations Act, or by operation of these rules."
The proposed amendments
• correct the typographical errors in line one of (a) and line three of (b); and
• remove gender pronouns and make the necessary grammatical changes to maintain the original intent of the rule.
• The WA Industrial Relations Act no longer requires the operation of sections 64A and 64B.
Effect of proposed amendments:
The General Secretary must
(a) cause to be kept a register of the members of the union showing the name and residential address of each member and details of the financial membership status of each member; and·
(b) cause the abovementioned register to be purged on not less than 4 occasions in each year by striking off the names of members whose membership had ended by operation of these rules.
That Rule 9(a) be amended by inserting the words “and electronic” after the word “postal” and replacing the word “this” with the word “either” in the second sentence.
That Role 9(b) be amended by the deletion of the words “by or permitted” in the first line and the insertion of the word “postal” after the word “registered” in the final line.
That a new paragraph (c) be added as follows:
9(c) Any other written communication with members will be in accordance with the provisions of Rule 3B – Interpretation.
rule:
(a) At the time of joining, members must register a postal address with the Union. Any changes to this address must be notified within 21 days.
(b) Subject to these rules, anything required by or permitted to be posted to a member shall be deemed to have been received by the member in the ordinary course of the post if sent by prepaid post to such member at that member’s registered address.
The proposed amendments ensure that prospective members provide both a postal and electronic address either of which can be used by the Union to communicate with the member according to the requirements of these rules.
(a) At the time of joining, members must register a postal and electronic address with the Union. Any changes to either address must be notified within 21 days.
(b) Subject to these rules, anything required to be posted to a member shall be deemed to have been received by the member in the ordinary course of the post if sent by pre-paid post to such member at that member’s registered postal address.
(c) Any other written communication with members will be treated in accordance with the provisions of Rule 3B – Interpretation.
That Rules 11(a)(v) and 11(c)(vii) be amended by the deletion of the words “he/she” and “his/her”, respectively and replacing them with the words “the member”.
That Rule 11(c) (vi) be amended by deleting the words “that he or she” in the stem and inserting the word “that” after the word “advise”.
That Rule 11(c)(vi) be further amended by the deletion of the words “his or her choice” from the second dot point and their replacement by the words “the member’s choosing”.
That Rule 11(f) be amended by the deletion of the words “his/her” and replacing them with the words “the non-attendance”.
That Rule 11(j)(iv) be amended by changing the capital A to lower case, deleting the words “that he or she” in the stem and inserting the word “that” after the word “advise” and adding the word “may” to the stem in place of the word “may” in the first dot point.
That Rule 11(j)(iv) be further amended by the deletion of the words “his or her choice” from the second dot point and their replacement by the words “the member’s choosing”.
That Rule 11(l) be amended by the insertion of the words “and shall” between the words “letter” and “remain” in the last line.
That Rule 11(j)-11(l) be renumbered to correct the typographical error in the current rules.
Existing rule:
(a) The following are offences with which a member may be charged under this rule:
(i) misappropriation of funds of the Union;
(ii) breaches or fails to comply with any provision of these rules;
(iii) knowingly fails to observe any directive of State Council or Executive;
(iv) obstructs State Council, Executive, a Branch or any other lawful committee of the Union in any way in the performance of its functions;
(v) wrongly holds out as occupying any office or position in the Union or as being entitled to represent the Union in any capacity (to which charge it shall be a defence that the member believed bona fide and on reasonable grounds that she/he was entitled to act);
(vi) aids or encourages any other member in any breach of these rules.
(b) (i) Any member who alleges that another member has breached these rules may lay a charge under this rule;
(ii) such charge(s) shall be in written form and shall be forwarded to the General Secretary.
(c) Upon receipt of a charge laid in accordance with sub-rule 11(b), the General Secretary shall forward to the member against whom the charge is made, a notice in writing which shall:
(i) state the charge together with particulars of the charge(s);
(ii) disclose the evidence on which the charge is based;
(iii) identify the persons who have been appointed to the Dispute Resolution Committee convened in accordance with Rule 12;
(iv) be signed by the General Secretary or the President;
(v) state the time, date and place of the hearing of the Dispute Resolution Committee;
(vi) Advise the member that he or she may:
• attend the hearing in person and present evidence;
• be represented by any representative of his or her choice save that representative must not be a legal practitioner;
• choose not to appear but make written submissions to the Dispute Resolutions Committee;
• object to the presence on the Dispute Resolution Committee of any member of that Committee whom the member believes may be biased, which objection must be in writing and forwarded to the General Secretary not later than 7 days after the member receives the written notice;
(vii) be delivered personally to the member concerned or posted by registered or certified mail to his or her last known address at least 21 days before the hearing date; and
(viii) attach a copy of these rules 11 and 12.
(d) Should the charge(s) have been made by a member of the Dispute Resolution Committee, such person shall not participate in the resolution of the matter.
(e) Subrule deleted.
(f) Should any member against whom a charge is made fail to appear at the hearing before the Dispute Resolution Committee and fail to provide a satisfactory explanation of his or her nonattendance, the Dispute Resolution Committee may proceed with the hearing of the charge in the member’s absence provided it is first satisfied that the notice of hearing has been served on the member in accordance with this Rule.
(g) The Dispute Resolution Committee having heard evidence and submissions will make a recommendation to the Executive which recommendation:
(i) must be in writing and include written reasons for the recommendation:
(ii) must set out the Dispute Resolution Committee’s recommendations that the Executive find the charge to have been proven or not proven as the case may be, and the Dispute
Resolution Committee’s recommendations to the appropriate penalty if the charge is found to be proven.
(h) If the Dispute Resolution Committee recommends to the Executive that it find the charge to be proven, it must also recommend to the Executive that it:
(i) impose no penalty
(ii) reprimand such member:
(iii) fine such member a sum not exceeding the sum of one year’s subscription for that member:
(iv) suspend such member for a period not exceeding 12 months; or
(v) expel such member
Upon receipt of the Dispute Resolution Committee’s recommendation and reasons for recommendation the Executive will send a written notice to the member calling upon the member to show cause why the Executive should not confirm the Committee’s recommendation.
(j) The written notice shall:
(i) include the written recommendation and reasons for recommendation of the Dispute Resolution Committee;
(ii) be signed by the General Secretary or the President
(iii) state the time, date and place of the hearing of this matter by the Executive;
(iv) Advise the member that he or she:
• may attend in person and present evidence/make submissions
• be represented by any representative of his or her choice save that representative must not be a legal practitioner.
• choose not to appear but make written submissions to the Executive
(v) be delivered personally to the member concerned or posted by registered or certified mail to the member’s last known address at least 14 days before the Executive meeting date; and
(vi) attach a copy of Rules 11 and 12.
(k) Upon considering the recommendation of the Dispute Resolution Committee and hearing any further evidence or submission from the member, the Executive may confirm, quash or vary the recommendation of the Dispute Resolution Committee.
(l) The General Secretary shall promptly inform the member by registered letter of the decision of the Executive. In the event of expulsion or suspension, the expulsion or suspension shall become effective 14 days after the date of posting such letter and in the event of a fine being imposed the fine shall become payable immediately and the member shall be deemed unfinancial if the fine is unpaid one month after the date of posting such letter remain unfinancial until the fine is paid.
The proposed amendments
• remove gender pronouns and make the necessary grammatical changes to maintain the original intent of the rule;
• correct typographical errors [11(j)(iv)] and [11(l)].
• renumber 11(j)-11(l) to correct the typographical error.
(a) The following are offences with which a member may be charged under this rule:
(i) misappropriation of funds of the Union;
(ii) breaches or fails to comply with any provision of these rules;
(iii) knowingly fails to observe any directive of State Council or Executive;
(iv) obstructs State Council, Executive, a Branch or any other lawful committee of the Union in any way in the performance of its functions;
(v) wrongly holds out as occupying any office or position in the Union or as being entitled to represent the Union in any capacity (to which charge it shall be a defence that the member believed bona fide and on reasonable grounds that the member was entitled to act);
(vi) aids or encourages any other member in any breach of these rules.
(b) (i) Any member who alleges that another member has breached these rules may lay a charge under this rule;
(ii) such charge(s) shall be in written form and shall be forwarded to the General Secretary.
(c) Upon receipt of a charge laid in accordance with sub-rule 11(b), the General Secretary shall forward to the member against whom the charge is made, a notice in writing which shall:
(i) state the charge together with particulars of the charge(s);
(ii) disclose the evidence on which the charge is based;
(iii) identify the persons who have been appointed to the Dispute Resolution Committee convened in accordance with Rule 12;
(iv) be signed by the General Secretary or the President;
(v) state the time, date and place of the hearing of the Dispute Resolution Committee;
(vi) advise that the member may:
• attend the hearing in person and present evidence;
• be represented by any representative of the member’s choosing save that representative must not be a legal practitioner;
• choose not to appear but make written submissions to the Dispute Resolutions Committee;
• object to the presence on the Dispute Resolution Committee of any member of that Committee whom the member believes may be biased, which objection must be in writing and forwarded to the General Secretary not later than 7 days after the member receives the written notice;
(vii) be delivered personally to the member concerned or posted by registered or certified mail to the member’s last known address at least 21 days before the hearing date; and
(viii) attach a copy of these rules 11 and 12.
(d) Should the charge(s) have been made by a member of the Dispute Resolution Committee, such person shall not participate in the resolution of the matter.
(e) Subrule deleted.
(f) Should any member against whom a charge is made fail to appear at the hearing before the Dispute Resolution Committee and fail to provide a satisfactory explanation of the nonattendance, the Dispute Resolution Committee may proceed with the hearing of the charge in the member’s absence provided it is first satisfied that the notice of hearing has been served on the member in accordance with this Rule.
(g) The Dispute Resolution Committee having heard evidence and submissions will make a recommendation to the Executive which recommendation:
(i) must be in writing and include written reasons for the recommendation:
(ii) must set out the Dispute Resolution Committee’s recommendations that the Executive find the charge to have been proven or not proven as the case may be, and the Dispute Resolution Committee’s recommendations to the appropriate penalty if the charge is found to be proven.
(h) If the Dispute Resolution Committee recommends to the Executive that it find the charge to be proven, it must also recommend to the Executive that it:
(i) impose no penalty
(ii) reprimand such member:
(iii) fine such member a sum not exceeding the sum of one year’s subscription for that member:
(iv) suspend such member for a period not exceeding 12 months; or
(v) expel such member
Upon receipt of the Dispute Resolution Committee’s recommendation and reasons for recommendation the Executive will send a written notice to the member calling upon the member to show cause why the Executive should not confirm the Committee’s recommendation.
(i) The written notice shall:
(i) include the written recommendation and reasons for recommendation of the Dispute Resolution Committee;
(ii) be signed by the General Secretary or the President
(iii) state the time, date and place of the hearing of this matter by the Executive;
(iv) advise that the member may:
• attend in person and present evidence/make submissions
• be represented by any representative of the member’s choice save that representative must not be a legal practitioner.
• choose not to appear but make written submissions to the Executive
(v) be delivered personally to the member concerned or posted by registered or certified mail to the member’s last known address at least 14 days before the Executive meeting date; and
(vi) attach a copy of Rules 11 and 12.
(j) Upon considering the recommendation of the Dispute Resolution Committee and hearing any further evidence or submission from the member, the Executive may confirm, quash or vary the recommendation of the Dispute Resolution Committee.
(k) The General Secretary shall promptly inform the member by registered letter of the decision of the Executive. In the event of expulsion or suspension, the expulsion or suspension shall become effective 14 days after the date of posting such letter and in the event of a fine being imposed the fine shall become payable immediately and the member shall be deemed unfinancial if the fine is unpaid one month after the date of posting such letter and shall remain unfinancial until the fine is paid.
That the first sentence of Rule 14 be amended by the deletion of the words “he/she” in the first sentence wherever they appear and inserting the word “been” after the word “have” in the first instance, followed by the insertion of the words “the prospective member” in the second and the words “the prospective member’s” in the third instance.
14 – Entrance Fee
A prospective member shall pay as entrance fee the total sum that he/she would have paid in subscriptions had he/she joined the Union at the time of his/her initial appointment to the staff of the Education Department. The Executive may remit such fee in whole or in part.
Notwithstanding the above, any person, upon joining the Union, shall not be entitled to legal assistance for any event which occurred prior to the date of joining.
The proposed amendment removes gender pronouns and makes the necessary grammatical changes to maintain the original intent of the rule.
14
A prospective member shall pay as entrance fee the total sum that would have been paid in subscriptions had the prospective member joined the Union at the time of the prospective member’s initial appointment to the staff of the Education Department. The Executive may remit such fee in whole or in part.
Notwithstanding the above, any person, upon joining the Union, shall not be entitled to legal assistance for any event which occurred prior to the date of joining
That Rule 17(b) be amended by the deletion of the words “him/her” in the first line.
That Rule 17(b) be further amended by the deletion of the words “by registered post” and replacing them with the words “in writing”
Existing rule:
17 – Payment of Arrears
(a) Members may elect to pay arrears at a rate negotiated with the Union Office and approved by the Executive.
(b) If a member has failed to pay any arrears, fine or levy, the Executive may send him/her a final notice by registered post to the member’s registered address. If payment is not received within 28 days from dispatch of the final notice, Executive may institute legal proceedings for the recovery of the arrears.
The proposed amendments remove gender pronouns from (b) and provide for updated methods of communication with the member.
(a) Members may elect to pay arrears at a rate negotiated with the Union Office and approved by the Executive.
(b) If a member has failed to pay any arrears, fine or levy, the Executive may send a final notice in writing to the member’s registered address. If payment is not received within 28 days from dispatch of the final notice, Executive may institute legal proceedings for the recovery of the arrears.
That Rule 20(b) be amended by the deletion of the words “he/she shall be deemed to have vacated” after the word “reason” and the addition of the words “shall be deemed to be vacated” at the end of the sentence.
That Rule 20(d) be amended by the deletion of the words “his/her” after the word “perform” and the word “as” after the word “duties” and replaced by the words “the” and “of” respectively.
That Rule 20(e) be amended by the deletion of the words “he/she” and replaced by the words “the Trustee”.
(a) The property of the Union shall be vested in three Trustees who shall be the President, the Senior Vice-President and the Vice-President.
(b) If the President, the Senior Vice-President or the Vice-President retires or ceases to hold office for any reason he/she shall be deemed to have vacated the office of Trustee.
(c) A vacancy occurring in the office of Trustee shall be filled by the Executive in the manner provided by Rule 26 of these Rules.
(d) During any period in which a Trustee is unable to perform his/her duties as Trustee, the Executive may appoint a member to act as a Trustee during that period.
(e) A Trustee so appointed shall be deemed to have retired from the office of Trustee upon the expiration of the term of office of Acting President, Acting Senior Vice-President or Acting VicePresident to which he/she was appointed.
(f) The Trustees shall not dispose of any Union property vested in their names unless authorised by State Council or Executive.
(g) The Trustees shall hand over all Union property to their successors, or to such persons as State Council or the Executive may appoint.
(h) No part of the income or property of the Union shall be paid or transferred by way of pecuniary profit to any member, but officers, members or servants of the Union may receive remuneration for any services actually rendered to the Union.
(i) The President, the two Vice-Presidents, the General Secretary and another full-time employee of the Union appointed by Executive shall be authorised to sign all cheques. Two signatures shall be necessary, one of which shall be that of the President or of a Vice-President and the other that of the General Secretary or the aforementioned Executive appointee.
The proposed amendments remove gender pronouns and make the necessary grammatical changes to maintain the original intent of the rule.
(a) The property of the Union shall be vested in three Trustees who shall be the President, the Senior Vice-President and the Vice-President.
(b) If the President, the Senior Vice-President or the Vice-President retires or ceases to hold office for any reason the office of Trustee shall be deemed to be vacated
(c) A vacancy occurring in the office of Trustee shall be filled by the Executive in the manner provided by Rule 26 of these Rules.
(d) During any period in which a Trustee is unable to perform the duties of Trustee, the Executive may appoint a member to act as a Trustee during that period.
(e) A Trustee so appointed shall be deemed to have retired from the office of Trustee upon the expiration of the term of office of Acting President, Acting Senior Vice-President or Acting VicePresident to which the Trustee was appointed.
(f) The Trustees shall not dispose of any Union property vested in their names unless authorised by State Council or Executive.
(g) The Trustees shall hand over all Union property to their successors, or to such persons as State Council or the Executive may appoint.
(h) No part of the income or property of the Union shall be paid or transferred by way of pecuniary profit to any member, but officers, members or servants of the Union may receive remuneration for any services actually rendered to the Union.
(i) The President, the two Vice-Presidents, the General Secretary and another full-time employee of the Union appointed by Executive shall be authorised to sign all cheques. Two signatures shall be necessary, one of which shall be that of the President or of a Vice-President and the other that of the General Secretary or the aforementioned Executive appointee.
That Rule 21(a)(vi) be amended by the deletion of the words “be opposite to” after the word “shall” and the insertion of the words “not be the same as” in their place.
That Rule 21(a)(vii) be amended by the deletion of the words “s/he” and the insertion of the words “the member” in their place.
That Rule 21(a)(vii) be further amended by replacing the capital letter “B” where it appears with the lower case “b”.
That Rule 21(h) be amended by the insertion of the word “may” after the first use of the word “Secretary’ in the second sentence and the word “shall” after the second instance of the word “Secretary”.
(a) Branches
(i) The Union shall consist of branches.
(ii) Unless otherwise determined in accordance with these rules, and subject to these rules, the members at each worksite shall constitute a branch.
(iii) For the purpose of this rule, a worksite shall mean a school, a pre-school centre, a preprimary centre, a community college, a senior college, a senior campus, a TAFE campus, a district office, the employer’s central office and such other places as shall be determined by Executive from time to time.
(iv) Each worksite shall have a Union Representative and where practicable a Union Deputy Representative who shall be elected by the members of that worksite.
(v) The positions of Union Representative and Union Deputy Representative shall not be held concurrently by the same person.
(vi) As far as is practicable, the gender of the Union Deputy Representative shall be opposite to the gender of the Union Representative.
(vii) A member shall be a member of the branch at which such member works. A relief teacher member, or a member unattached to a school, or on leave, shall be allocated to
(1) The Branch at which s/he works or has most recently worked or, where the union has not been notified of the member’s current or most recent workplace,
(2) The Branch of the Union nearest to the residential address of the relief teacher / unattached teacher.
(viii) Subject to sub-rule (ix), a member who ceases to work at a particular worksite shall, upon such cessation, cease to be a member of the branch at that worksite.
(ix) Members on leave or on any employer’s unattached list shall continue to be assigned to the branch at which they last taught unless they apply to the Returning Officer for redetermination of their branch membership.
(x) The re-determination provided for in sub-rule (ix) shall be done solely on the basis of the nearest branch of the Union to the actual residential address of the member.
(i) Each branch shall have a committee.
(ii) The branch committee shall be elected by and from the members of the branch.
(iii) It shall be the responsibility of the branch committee to ensure the smooth operation of the branch in accordance with these rules and the branch bylaws.
(iv) In recognition of women’s lower participation rate in the Union structures a position of Women’s Contact Officer be established which, as an affirmative action strategy, is open to women members only.
(v) The Women’s Contact Officer shall work in conjunction with the Union Representative/Deputy Representative and branch committee to encourage participation of women members within the union structures.
(c) Branch By-Laws
(i) Subject to sub-rule (ii), branch by-laws shall be in accordance with the format as determined by Executive from time to time, which shall be appended to these rules, but shall not form part of these rules.
(ii) Variations to branch by-laws must be submitted to Executive for approval, and must not conflict with the rules of the SSTUWA.
(d) Operating Budget
Each Branch shall be provided with an operating budget, which shall be calculated on a per capita basis to be determined by State Council from time to time.
(e) Financial Returns
All branches shall forward to the Executive an annual balance sheet of branch funds within the four weeks immediately following the annual general meeting of the branch.
(f) Funds
(i) The funds of all branches shall be the property of the Union and shall be applied only for the purposes of the Union under the authority of the Executive.
(ii) Branches may return some or all of their funds and property to the Union and shall do so if instructed by the Executive.
(iii) Should any branch dissolve or be dissolved for non-compliance with these rules, then the funds and all other property of such branch shall revert to the Union.
(g) Meetings
A general meeting of the Branch shall be called if so instructed by the Executive at such time and place the Executive may direct. If branch officers fail to comply with the Executive’s instruction or if there are no office bearers, the Executive shall have the power to call a meeting of the branch.
(h) Restriction on Branches
If a branch desires to bring any matter to the notice of the employer or desires to make available for publication or broadcast a comment of the branch on any matter, the branch first submits the matter to the General Secretary to ensure that any action proposed is not in conflict with current policy or with proposals, strategies or initiatives presently before the Executive. If no conflict is apparent the General Secretary authorise the branch to proceed and the General Secretary to inform the Executive of this at their next meeting.
The proposed amendments remove gender pronouns and make the necessary grammatical changes to the rule without altering the intent of the original rule.
The change to Rule 21(h) is a simple grammatical correction.
21 – Branches
(a) Branches
(i) The Union shall consist of branches.
(ii) Unless otherwise determined in accordance with these rules, and subject to these rules, the members at each worksite shall constitute a branch.
(iii) For the purpose of this rule, a worksite shall mean a school, a pre-school centre, a preprimary centre, a community college, a senior college, a senior campus, a TAFE campus, a district office, the employer’s central office and such other places as shall be determined by Executive from time to time.
(iv) Each worksite shall have a Union Representative and where practicable a Union Deputy Representative who shall be elected by the members of that worksite.
(v) The positions of Union Representative and Union Deputy Representative shall not be held concurrently by the same person.
(vi) As far as is practicable, the gender of the Union Deputy Representative shall not be the same as the gender of the Union Representative.
(vii) A member shall be a member of the branch at which such member works. A relief teacher member, or a member unattached to a school, or on leave, shall be allocated to (1) the branch at which the member works or has most recently worked or, where the union has not been notified of the member’s current or most recent workplace, (2) the branch of the Union nearest to the residential address of the relief teacher / unattached teacher.
(viii) Subject to sub-rule (ix), a member who ceases to work at a particular worksite shall, upon such cessation, cease to be a member of the branch at that worksite.
(ix) Members on leave or on any employer’s unattached list shall continue to be assigned to the branch at which they last taught unless they apply to the Returning Officer for redetermination of their branch membership.
(x) The re-determination provided for in sub-rule (ix) shall be done solely on the basis of the nearest branch of the Union to the actual residential address of the member.
(b) Branch Committees
(i) Each branch shall have a committee.
(ii) The branch committee shall be elected by and from the members of the branch.
(iii) It shall be the responsibility of the branch committee to ensure the smooth operation of the branch in accordance with these rules and the branch bylaws.
(iv) In recognition of women’s lower participation rate in the Union structures a position of Women’s Contact Officer be established which, as an affirmative action strategy, is open to women members only.
(v) The Women’s Contact Officer shall work in conjunction with the Union Representative/Deputy Representative and branch committee to encourage participation of women members within the union structures.
(c) Branch By-Laws
(i) Subject to sub-rule (ii), branch by-laws shall be in accordance with the format as determined by Executive from time to time, which shall be appended to these rules, but shall not form part of these rules.
(ii) Variations to branch by-laws must be submitted to Executive for approval and must not conflict with the rules of the SSTUWA.
(d) Operating Budget
Each Branch shall be provided with an operating budget, which shall be calculated on a per capita basis to be determined by State Council from time to time.
(e) Financial Returns
All branches shall forward to the Executive an annual balance sheet of branch funds within the four weeks immediately following the annual general meeting of the branch.
(f) Funds
(i) The funds of all branches shall be the property of the Union and shall be applied only for the purposes of the Union under the authority of the Executive.
(ii) Branches may return some or all of their funds and property to the Union and shall do so if instructed by the Executive.
(iii) Should any branch dissolve or be dissolved for non-compliance with these rules, then the funds and all other property of such branch shall revert to the Union.
(g) Meetings
A general meeting of the Branch shall be called if so instructed by the Executive at such time and place the Executive may direct. If branch officers fail to comply with the Executive’s instruction or if there are no office bearers, the Executive shall have the power to call a meeting of the branch.
(h) Restriction on Branches
If a branch desires to bring any matter to the notice of the employer or desires to make available for publication or broadcast a comment of the branch on any matter, the branch first submits the matter to the General Secretary to ensure that any action proposed is not in conflict with current policy or with proposals, strategies or initiatives presently before the Executive. If no conflict is apparent the General Secretary may authorise the branch to proceed and the General Secretary shall inform the Executive of this at their next meeting.
That Rule 22(b)(v) be amended by the insertion of the word “not” after the word “practicable”, the insertion of the word "same” in place of the word “opposite” before the word “gender”, and the deletion of the word “to” and its replacement by the word “as” prior to the word “the” in reference to the branch delegate.
That Rule 22(b)(xv) be amended by the inclusion of the word “not” and the replacement of the word “opposite” in the first line and the deletion of the word “to” and insertion of the word “as” in the second line.
That Rule 22(b)(xv) be further amended by the inclusion of the word "such” in the second line prior to the word “nominations” and the deletion of the words “from a member of the opposite gender to the District Council Chairperson”.
That Rule 22(xvii) be amended by the addition of the letters WA to the letters SSTU wherever they appear.
Existing rule:
22 – Districts/District Council
(a) Districts
(i) The state shall be divided into districts as shall be determined by State Council from time to time and shall be appended to these rules but shall not form any part of these rules.
(ii) Each district shall comprise a number of branches.
(i) Each branch within a district shall be entitled to be represented at District Council level.
(ii) The District Council shall consist of a branch delegate elected by the members of each branch constituting the district, any ordinary Executive member who is a member of a branch constituting the district, together with the Union’s President, Senior Vice President, Vice President and General Secretary who may attend such Council, if they so desire.
(iii) The branch delegate to the District Council shall carry votes on a proportional basis depending on the size of the branch.
(iv) In the absence of the branch delegate, the branch shall be represented by the branch alternate delegate, elected by the members of the branch, and having all rights and responsibilities of the branch delegate.
(v) The branch alternate delegate shall, as far as is practicable, be a person of the opposite gender to the branch delegate.
(vi) The number of votes carried by the branch delegate to the District Council shall be determined on the basis of one vote for the first eight members and one additional vote for each further twenty-five members, or part thereof being not less than thirteen members.
(vii) A District Council shall be held in each district at least twice per year as determined by Executive.
(viii) The reasonable expenses incurred by branch delegates attending such Councils shall be paid by the Union.
(ix) Subject to sub-rule (vii), thereafter the time and place for each meeting shall be determined by the preceding District Council.
(x) The first meeting of each District Council shall be held at a time and place nominated by the Executive.
(xi) Additional District Councils may be held subject to the written request of the Union Representatives being not less than a number equivalent to one quarter of the number of branches comprising the district.
(xii) The Union will not meet the expenses of such additional District Councils unless such expenses are approved at the next meeting of Executive.
(xiii) Should the Executive not approve the expenses of an additional District Council, the District Council may appeal to State Council.
(xiv) The first item of business of the first District Council each year shall be the election for that year of the District Council Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson who will conduct the business of such District Council.
(xv) The District Council Deputy Chairperson shall be of the opposite gender to the District Council Chairperson provided that where no nominations for the position of District Council Deputy Chairperson are received from a member of the opposite gender to the District Council Chairperson, a member of the same gender may be elected.
(xvi) The business of the District Council shall be in the form of an agenda comprising matters referred by branches within the district as well as such matters referred by the Executive from time to time.
(xvii) Within SSTU Policy and subject to SSTU Rules, District Council shall have decision-making powers to:
(1) formulate a district position on local issues for referral to Executive and/or State Council;
(2) make recommendations to Executive and/or State Council about broader Union policy;
(3) direct members in the district to take specific action to ensure adherence to Awards and Agreements;
(4) identify and inform members in the districts on relevant statutory provisions;
(5) direct matters, through the Executive, to the agenda of the State Council.
(xviii) Delegates to District Council may nominate as district delegates to State Council.
(xix) The quorum of District council shall be one quarter of the total number of delegates entitled to attend.
(xx) That, in the event a District Council meeting fails to achieve a quorum, any proposed resolutions from such a meeting, must be endorsed by a properly constituted branch meeting prior to forwarding to Executive or State Council for consideration.
The proposed amendments remove gender pronouns and make the necessary grammatical changes to the rule without altering the intent of the original rule.
In Rule 22(xvii) this a simple correction to the acronym SSTUWA.
22 – Districts/District Council
(a) Districts
(i) The state shall be divided into districts as shall be determined by State Council from time to time and shall be appended to these rules but shall not form any part of these rules.
(ii) Each district shall comprise a number of branches.
(b) District Council
(i) Each branch within a district shall be entitled to be represented at District Council level.
(ii) The District Council shall consist of a branch delegate elected by the members of each branch constituting the district, any ordinary Executive member who is a member of a branch constituting the district, together with the Union’s President, Senior Vice President, Vice President and General Secretary who may attend such Council, if they so desire.
(iii) The branch delegate to the District Council shall carry votes on a proportional basis depending on the size of the branch.
(iv) In the absence of the branch delegate, the branch shall be represented by the branch alternate delegate, elected by the members of the branch, and having all rights and responsibilities of the branch delegate.
(v) The branch alternate delegate shall, as far as is practicable, not be a person of the same gender as the branch delegate.
(vi) The number of votes carried by the branch delegate to the District Council shall be determined on the basis of one vote for the first eight members and one additional vote for each further twenty-five members, or part thereof being not less than thirteen members.
(vii) A District Council shall be held in each district at least twice per year as determined by Executive.
(viii) The reasonable expenses incurred by branch delegates attending such Councils shall be paid by the Union.
(ix) Subject to sub-rule (vii), thereafter the time and place for each meeting shall be determined by the preceding District Council.
(x) The first meeting of each District Council shall be held at a time and place nominated by the Executive.
(xi) Additional District Councils may be held subject to the written request of the Union Representatives being not less than a number equivalent to one quarter of the number of branches comprising the district.
(xii) The Union will not meet the expenses of such additional District Councils unless such expenses are approved at the next meeting of Executive.
(xiii) Should the Executive not approve the expenses of an additional District Council, the District Council may appeal to State Council.
(xiv) The first item of business of the first District Council each year shall be the election for that year of the District Council Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson who will conduct the business of such District Council.
(xv) The District Council Deputy Chairperson shall not be of the same gender as the District Council Chairperson provided that where no such nominations for the position of District Council Deputy Chairperson are received, a member of the same gender may be elected.
(xvi) The business of the District Council shall be in the form of an agenda comprising matters referred by branches within the district as well as such matters referred by the Executive from time to time.
(xvii) Within SSTUWA Policy and subject to SSTUWA Rules, District Council shall have decisionmaking powers to:
(1) formulate a district position on local issues for referral to Executive and/or State Council;
(2) make recommendations to Executive and/or State Council about broader Union policy;
(3) direct members in the district to take specific action to ensure adherence to Awards and Agreements;
(4) identify and inform members in the districts on relevant statutory provisions;
(5) direct matters, through the Executive, to the agenda of the State Council.
(xviii) Delegates to District Council may nominate as district delegates to State Council.
(xix) The quorum of District council shall be one quarter of the total number of delegates entitled to attend.
(xx) That, in the event a District Council meeting fails to achieve a quorum, any proposed resolutions from such a meeting, must be endorsed by a properly constituted branch meeting prior to forwarding to Executive or State Council for consideration.
That Rule 23(a)(iii) be amended by the deletion of the reference to “Rule 32 - Elections for Office” and replacing it with “Rule 33 – Elections: Branch Officers, District and State Councils, Union Committees”.
That Rule 23(a)(viii) be amended by the deletion of the words “his/her district” and replacing them with the words “the district in which the member works”.
That Rules 23(a)(x) and 23(a)(xi) be deleted and the remainder of Rule 23 be renumbered.
That Rule 23(a)(xv) be amended by the deletion of the words “he or she is elected to replace” and replacing them with the words “being replaced”.
That Rule 23(b)(iv) be amended by the deletion of the words “his/her” and replacing them with the word “that”.
That Rule 23(c)(i) be amended by the deletion of the words “Where a delegate uses his/her own vehicle” and replacing them with the words “Delegates using their own vehicle”.
23 – State Council
(a) Rules
(i) The governing body of the Union shall be the State Council.
(ii) Subject to any referendum of members, State Council is the supreme decision-making authority of the Union and Policy directives issued by State Council shall be adhered to by all members.
(iii) State Council shall consist of the President, Senior Vice President, Vice President, Ordinary Executive Members, General Secretary and delegates elected from each District, in accordance with the provisions of this rule and Rule 32- Elections for Office.
(iv) Each district shall be entitled to one delegate to State Council per 100 financial members, or part thereof.
(v) Where sufficient nominations from women financial members have been received, at least 50% of the delegates from each district to State Council shall be women.
(vi) Where fewer than the number of nominations required to enable subrule (a)(v), above, to be complied with, are received from women, any woman who so nominated shall be declared elected, and a ballot conducted to fill the remaining vacant position or positions.
(vii) Rule Deleted.
(viii) Any financial member may nominate to be a delegate to State Council representing his/her district, provided that such nomination is proposed and seconded by two financial members who are also members of that district.
(ix) Should nominations of delegates to State Council exceed the number of delegates to which the district is entitled, the Returning Officer shall conduct a ballot of all financial members in the district to determine district representation.
To attain gender balance in the district representation the Returning Officer shall, at the conclusion of the ballot, declare the highest polling women candidates elected, to the number of women delegates required under sub-rule (a)(v) of this rule. The remaining positions shall then be declared in the order of election.
(x) In addition to electing district delegates to State Council the members of the district are entitled to elect two alternate delegates. Such alternate delegates in the order in which they
were elected, shall represent the district in the absence of one of the delegates subject to notification to the Union Returning Officer.
(xi) Where sufficient nominations from women financial members have been received, at least one of the alternate delegates shall be a woman. The Returning Officer, at the conclusion of any ballot for alternate delegates to State Council shall declare the highest polling female and male candidates elected. For the purposes of sub-rule (a)(x) of this rule, the first alternate delegate shall be the highest polling candidate of the two elected.
(xii) Where no nominations are received from women for an alternate delegate position, nominations shall be re-opened for all financial members to fill the designated position.
(xiii) The election of delegates to State Council shall be held during the first school division term every two years, and such delegates shall hold office until their successors are elected.
(xiv) State Council shall meet at least twice per year as determined by Executive.
(xv) In the event of a casual or extraordinary vacancy arising in the office of delegate to State Council, the casual vacancy shall be filled by an election in as far as practicable the same mode as is prescribed by these rules for the election of that State Council delegate and any person so elected shall hold office for the unexpired portion of the term of the State Council delegate he or she is elected to replace.
(b) Powers
State Council shall have power to control and manage the business and affairs of the Union subject always to these Rules and without limiting the generality of this power shall have power to:
(i) Subject to the requirements of these rules, make, amend or rescind these rules.
(ii) Determine entrance fees and subscriptions for members and persons eligible to be members of the Union and impose levies on such members.
(iii) Appoint or remove a qualified auditor, for any purpose for which an audit is required in connection with the accounts of the Union.
(iv) Dismiss from office any person elected to an office within the Union who has been found guilty in accordance with the Rules of the Union of misappropriation of the funds of the Union, a substantial breach of the Rules of the Union, serious and wilful misconduct or gross neglect of duty in relation to his/her office or who has ceased according to the rules of the Union to be eligible to hold the office.
(v) Refer any question to a referendum of members of the Union. The decision of a referendum is binding on State Council.
(vi) Do all things necessary or convenient to the exercise of the foregoing power or any powers conferred by the rules of the Union.
(c) Expenses
(i) Travelling
Delegates travelling to State Council from outside the metropolitan area may be reimbursed travelling expenses actually incurred up to a sum equivalent to a first class rail fare or public transport fare whichever is the least. In the case of delegates representing branches north of the 26th parallel, airfares for travel on a normal scheduled air service may be refunded. Where a delegate uses his/her own vehicle, he/she may claim expenses not exceeding the first class rail fare or public transport fare, whichever is the least, or in the case of delegates representing branches north of the 26th parallel, not exceeding airfares, so long as such claim for using the delegate’s own vehicle is accompanied by receipts for petrol and oil purchased.
Delegates travelling from outside the Perth metropolitan area to attend State Council may claim accommodation expenses not exceeding public service rates for the number of days each delegate must be present in Perth to attend the State Council. Accommodation claims for hotel/motel accommodation must be accompanied by a receipt.
(iii) Delegates representing branches from within the Perth metropolitan area may claim expenses at a rate to be determined by State Council from time to time.
(iv) However, expenses as referred to in sub-rules (i), (ii) and (iii) will only be paid pro-rata to the number of sessions attended by the delegate submitting the claim.
(i) The Executive shall prepare for each State Council an agenda which shall be published in the Western Teacher or other publication of the Union not less than 3 weeks prior to State Council.
(ii) Reports to be presented to State Council shall be issued with the publication containing the agenda.
(iii) Any matter for inclusion on the agenda for State Council must be received by the close of business on a date to be determined and published by Executive.
(iv) Items for inclusion on the business paper may be submitted by the Executive, by the District Councils, by the Education Committee or by any branch of the Union unless otherwise provided for in these Rules.
(v) No State Council motion shall be edited or amended before inclusion in the State Council Agenda without reference to the branch submitting the motion. Where the branch concerned rejects such amendments the motion shall be placed on the State Council Agenda in unamended form, irrespective of deadlines, provided the motion in its original form was submitted prior to the closing date for State Council motions.
(e) Quorum
The quorum for State Council shall be one-third of the total number of delegates who would have been permitted to attend, had they been elected in accordance with this rule.
(f) Postal Ballot
(i) Nothing in these rules shall be read so as to prohibit the Executive from arranging for a secret postal ballot of all State Council delegates on any issue of urgency arising between the formal meetings of State Council.
(ii) Any decision taken by State Council delegates through a secret postal ballot has the same effect and authority as a decision taken at a formal meeting of State Council.
The proposed amendments
• correct an existing error which references the wrong rule relating to internal SSTUWA elections [Rule 23(a)(iii)];
• remove gender pronouns and make the necessary grammatical changes to the rule without altering the intent of the original rule [Rules 23(a)(vii) and (xv), Rules 23(b)(iv) and 23(c)(i)];
• delete existing rules referring to alternate delegates due to their impractical nature. This will ensure that the rule reflects the corresponding AEU WA Branch rule [Rules 23(a)(x) and (xi)].
23 – State Council
(a) Rules
(i) The governing body of the Union shall be the State Council.
(ii) Subject to any referendum of members, State Council is the supreme decision-making authority of the Union and Policy directives issued by State Council shall be adhered to by all members.
(iii) State Council shall consist of the President, Senior Vice President, Vice President, Ordinary Executive Members, General Secretary and delegates elected from each District, in accordance with the provisions of this rule and Rule 33 – Elections: Branch Officers, District and State Councils, Union Committees.
(iv) Each district shall be entitled to one delegate to State Council per 100 financial members, or part thereof.
(v) Where sufficient nominations from women financial members have been received, at least 50% of the delegates from each district to State Council shall be women.
(vi) Where fewer than the number of nominations required to enable subrule (a)(v), above, to be complied with, are received from women, any woman who so nominated shall be declared elected, and a ballot conducted to fill the remaining vacant position or positions.
(vii) Rule Deleted.
(viii) Any financial member may nominate to be a delegate to State Council representing the district in which the member works, provided that such nomination is proposed and seconded by two financial members who are also members of that district.
(ix) Should nominations of delegates to State Council exceed the number of delegates to which the district is entitled, the Returning Officer shall conduct a ballot of all financial members in the district to determine district representation.
To attain gender balance in the district representation the Returning Officer shall, at the conclusion of the ballot, declare the highest polling women candidates elected, to the number of women delegates required under sub-rule (a)(v) of this rule. The remaining positions shall then be declared in the order of election.
(x) Where no nominations are received from women for an alternate delegate position, nominations shall be re-opened for all financial members to fill the designated position.
(xi) The election of delegates to State Council shall be held during the first school division term every two years, and such delegates shall hold office until their successors are elected.
(xii) State Council shall meet at least twice per year as determined by Executive.
(xiii) In the event of a casual or extraordinary vacancy arising in the office of delegate to State Council, the casual vacancy shall be filled by an election in as far as practicable the same mode as is prescribed by these rules for the election of that State Council delegate and any person so elected shall hold office for the unexpired portion of the term of the State Council delegate being replaced
(b) Powers
State Council shall have power to control and manage the business and affairs of the Union subject always to these Rules and without limiting the generality of this power shall have power to:
(i) Subject to the requirements of these rules, make, amend or rescind these rules.
(ii) Determine entrance fees and subscriptions for members and persons eligible to be members of the Union and impose levies on such members.
(iii) Appoint or remove a qualified auditor, for any purpose for which an audit is required in connection with the accounts of the Union.
(iv) Dismiss from office any person elected to an office within the Union who has been found guilty in accordance with the Rules of the Union of misappropriation of the funds of the Union, a substantial breach of the Rules of the Union, serious and wilful misconduct or gross neglect of duty in relation to that office or who has ceased according to the rules of the Union to be eligible to hold the office.
(v) Refer any question to a referendum of members of the Union. The decision of a referendum is binding on State Council.
(vi) Do all things necessary or convenient to the exercise of the foregoing power or any powers conferred by the rules of the Union.
(i) Travelling
Delegates travelling to State Council from outside the metropolitan area may be reimbursed travelling expenses actually incurred up to a sum equivalent to a first class rail fare or public transport fare whichever is the least. In the case of delegates representing branches north of the 26th parallel, airfares for travel on a normal scheduled air service may be refunded. Delegates using their own vehicle, may claim expenses not exceeding the first-class rail fare or public transport fare, whichever is the least, or in the case of delegates representing branches north of the 26th parallel, not exceeding airfares, so long as such claim for using the delegate’s own vehicle is accompanied by receipts for petrol and oil purchased.
(ii) Accommodation
Delegates travelling from outside the Perth metropolitan area to attend State Council may claim accommodation expenses not exceeding public service rates for the number of days each delegate must be present in Perth to attend the State Council. Accommodation claims for hotel/motel accommodation must be accompanied by a receipt.
(iii) Delegates representing branches from within the Perth metropolitan area may claim expenses at a rate to be determined by State Council from time to time.
(iv) However, expenses as referred to in sub-rules (i), (ii) and (iii) will only be paid pro-rata to the number of sessions attended by the delegate submitting the claim.
(d) Agenda
(i) The Executive shall prepare for each State Council an agenda which shall be published in the Western Teacher or other publication of the Union not less than 3 weeks prior to State Council.
(ii) Reports to be presented to State Council shall be issued with the publication containing the agenda.
(iii) Any matter for inclusion on the agenda for State Council must be received by the close of business on a date to be determined and published by Executive.
(iv) Items for inclusion on the business paper may be submitted by the Executive, by the District Councils, by the Education Committee or by any branch of the Union unless otherwise provided for in these Rules.
(v) No State Council motion shall be edited or amended before inclusion in the State Council Agenda without reference to the branch submitting the motion. Where the branch
concerned rejects such amendments the motion shall be placed on the State Council Agenda in unamended form, irrespective of deadlines, provided the motion in its original form was submitted prior to the closing date for State Council motions.
(e) Quorum
The quorum for State Council shall be one-third of the total number of delegates who would have been permitted to attend, had they been elected in accordance with this rule.
(f) Postal Ballot
(i) Nothing in these rules shall be read so as to prohibit the Executive from arranging for a secret postal ballot of all State Council delegates on any issue of urgency arising between the formal meetings of State Council.
(ii) Any decision taken by State Council delegates through a secret postal ballot has the same effect and authority as a decision taken at a formal meeting of State Council.
That Rule 25(f) be amended by the deletion of the words “his or her” wherever they appear and replacing them with the word “the” before the word “term”.
That Rule 25(h) in relation to the 2014 General Secretary election be deleted.
Existing rule:
25 – Officers
(a) (i) The Executive shall consist of the President of the Union, Senior Vice-President, VicePresident, and such other number of additional members to be known as Ordinary members, as determined from time to time by State Council.
(ii) There shall be a designated position on the Executive for an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander representative. This position shall be elected by and from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members of the Union.
(iii) The term of office of the President, Senior Vice President and Vice President and Executive Members shall be for a period of three years commencing on the first day of January in the year following the election.
(b) Should a member of Executive be an applicant for a position on the staff of the Union, that member of Executive shall not have the right to vote on, or take part in any discussion upon, any resolution for the purpose of selecting such employee.
(c) The position of General Secretary shall be filled by an election of all members.
(d) The term of office of the General Secretary shall be for a period of three years commencing on the first day of January in the year following the election.
(e) All full financial members shall be eligible to nominate for the position of General Secretary.
(f) Any employee of the SSTUWA who is elected to an office of the Union shall resign his or her employment with the Union by no later than the day that that person commences his or her term of office.
(g) Any elected Officer of the SSTUWA who is appointed as an employee of the Union shall cease to hold that Office on and from the day that that person commences employment with the Union.
(h) That in the next SSTUWA election for General Secretary, scheduled for 2014, the term of office shall be for a period of two years. Thereafter, commencing with the election in 2016, the term of office for the General Secretary shall be for a period of three years.
(h) Each office in the Union may, from such time as the Executive may determine, be held by the person who, in accordance with the rule of the Australia Education Union, Western Australian Branch, holds the corresponding office in that body.
Reasons for amendments:
The proposed amendments
• remove gender pronouns and make the necessary grammatical changes to the rule without altering the intent of the original rule [Rule 25(f)];
• deletes an obsolete reference to elections scheduled for 2014 [Rule 25(h)].
(a) (i) The Executive shall consist of the President of the Union, Senior Vice-President, VicePresident, and such other number of additional members to be known as Ordinary members, as determined from time to time by State Council.
(ii) There shall be a designated position on the Executive for an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander representative. This position shall be elected by and from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members of the Union.
(iii) The term of office of the President, Senior Vice President and Vice President and Executive Members shall be for a period of three years commencing on the first day of January in the year following the election.
(b) Should a member of Executive be an applicant for a position on the staff of the Union, that member of Executive shall not have the right to vote on, or take part in any discussion upon, any resolution for the purpose of selecting such employee.
(c) The position of General Secretary shall be filled by an election of all members.
(d) The term of office of the General Secretary shall be for a period of three years commencing on the first day of January in the year following the election.
(e) All full financial members shall be eligible to nominate for the position of General Secretary.
(f) Any employee of the SSTUWA who is elected to an office of the Union shall resign employment with the Union by no later than the day that that person commences the term of office.
(g) Any elected Officer of the SSTUWA who is appointed as an employee of the Union shall cease to hold that Office on and from the day that that person commences employment with the Union.
(h) Each office in the Union may, from such time as the Executive may determine, be held by the person who, in accordance with the rule of the Australia Education Union, Western Australian Branch, holds the corresponding office in that body.
That Rule 25A(b)(iii) be deleted and the remainder of the rule renumbered accordingly.
(a) This rule applies to the Office of President, Senior Vice President, Vice-President, General Secretary or Executive Member.
(b) A person ceases to be a member of the Executive if the person:
i) dies; or
ii) resigns from the Executive or is removed from office under Rules 11 and 12; or
iii) becomes ineligible to accept an appointment or act as a committee member under Section 39 of the Associations Incorporation Act 2015; or
iv) becomes permanently unable to act as a committee member because of a mental or physical disability; or
v) fails to attend 3 consecutive Executive meetings, of which the person has been given notice, without having notified the Executive that the person will be unable to attend.
Reason for amendment:
This rule is no longer required as the Union is no longer registered under the Associations Incorporations Act of 2015.
(a) This rule applies to the Office of President, Senior Vice President, Vice-President, General Secretary or Executive Member.
(b) A person ceases to be a member of the Executive if the person:
i) dies; or
ii) resigns from the Executive or is removed from office under Rules 11 and 12; or
iii) becomes permanently unable to act as a committee member because of a mental or physical disability; or
iv) fails to attend 3 consecutive Executive meetings, of which the person has been given notice, without having notified the Executive that the person will be unable to attend.
That Rule 26(c) be amended by the deletion of the words “whom he/she was so elected or appointed” at the end of the sentence and replacing them with the words “being replaced”.
(a) The Executive shall have power to fill any vacancy occurring in those officers enumerated in Rule 25(a) subject to sub-rule 26(b) thereof.
(b) Any casual vacancy in the offices of President, Senior Vice-President and Vice-President or General Secretary which occurs at a time when more than half of the term of office remains unexpired, shall be filled by election by and from members using, as far as is practicable, the same mode of election as is prescribed in these Rules for the conduct of Union elections, provided that the Executive may appoint a financial member to act in that position, pending such election, subject to the requirement of sub-rule (d) hereof.
Any person so elected shall be entitled to hold office until the expiration of the term of office being held.
(c) Any such vacancy occurring within eighteen months of the expiration of an elected officer’s term of office shall, subject to sub-rule (d) of this Rule, be filled by a financial member of the Union appointed by the Executive provided that any person so elected or appointed shall hold office by virtue of that election or appointment for no longer than the unexpired portion of the term of office of the person whom he/she was so elected or appointed to replace.
(d) In filling a vacant office or offices in accordance with the preceding sub-rule the Executive shall appoint the Senior Vice-President as Acting President if the Presidency falls vacant and the VicePresident as Acting Senior Vice-President should the latter’s office fall vacant or should the Senior Vice-President be appointed Acting President. Should both offices of President and Senior VicePresident fall vacant at the same time the Executive shall appoint the Vice-President as Acting President.
The proposed amendment removes gender pronouns and makes the necessary grammatical changes to the rule without altering the intent of the original rule.
(a) The Executive shall have power to fill any vacancy occurring in those officers enumerated in Rule 25(a) subject to sub-rule 26(b) thereof.
(b) Any casual vacancy in the offices of President, Senior Vice-President and Vice-President or General Secretary which occurs at a time when more than half of the term of office remains unexpired, shall be filled by election by and from members using, as far as is practicable, the same mode of election as is prescribed in these Rules for the conduct of Union elections, provided that the Executive may appoint a financial member to act in that position, pending such election, subject to the requirement of sub-rule (d) hereof.
Any person so elected shall be entitled to hold office until the expiration of the term of office being held.
(c) Any such vacancy occurring within eighteen months of the expiration of an elected officer’s term of office shall, subject to sub-rule (d) of this Rule, be filled by a financial member of the Union appointed by the Executive provided that any person so elected or appointed shall hold office by virtue of that election or appointment for no longer than the unexpired portion of the term of office of the person being replaced
(d) In filling a vacant office or offices in accordance with the preceding sub-rule the Executive shall appoint the Senior Vice-President as Acting President if the Presidency falls vacant and the VicePresident as Acting Senior Vice-President should the latter’s office fall vacant or should the Senior Vice-President be appointed Acting President. Should both offices of President and Senior VicePresident fall vacant at the same time the Executive shall appoint the Vice-President as Acting President.
That Rule 27(a)(i)(f) be amended by the deletion of the words “he/she” and their replacement with the words “the President”.
That Rule 27(a)(ii) be amended by the deletion of the words “his/her” and replacing them with the word “the”.
That Rule 27(a)(iv) be amended by the deletion of the words “his/her duties” in the first line and replacing them with the words “duties of the President” after the word “the”.
That Rules 27(b)(i) and 27(c)(i) be amended by the deletion of the words “his/her duties” and replacing them with the words “duties of the President” and “duties of the Senior Vice-President” respectively.
That Rules 27(b)(ii) and 27(c)(ii) be amended by the deletion of the words “his/her” and replacing them with the word “the” in both instances.
Existing rule:
27 – Duties of President, Senior Vice-President and Vice-President
(a) President
(i) The President shall be a full-time paid officer of the Union, and shall:
(a) be the Chief Executive Officer of, and principal spokesperson for the Union;
(b) be responsible to the State Council and the Executive for the implementation of their decisions and directions;
(c) preside at and conduct all meetings of the Executive and State Council and sign the minutes thereof;
(d) in consultation with the General Secretary, convene meetings of State Council and Executive;
(e) ensure, as far as possible, that the Rules of the Union are performed and observed by officers and members of the Union;
(f) request and receive an explanation from any officer or member of the Union in any case where he/she believes that the Rules of the Union may not have been performed or observed and report thereon to the State Council and/or Executive.
(ii) The President shall reside in the metropolitan area during his/her term of office.
(iii) The President shall be an ex officio member of any committee of the Union other than a committee of a branch.
(iv) In the absence of the President, his/her duties shall be performed by the Senior VicePresident. In the absence of both the President and the Senior Vice-President the VicePresident shall perform the duties of the President. In the simultaneous absence of the President, Senior Vice-President and Vice-President, the Executive may appoint a member to carry out the duties of the President.
(b) Senior Vice-President
(i) The Senior Vice-President shall be a full-time paid officer of the Union. In the absence of the President, his/her duties shall be performed by the Senior Vice-President.
(ii) The Senior Vice-President shall reside in the metropolitan area during his/her term of office.
(c) Vice-President
(i) The Vice-President shall be a full-time paid officer of the Union. In the absence of the Senior Vice-President, his/her duties shall be performed by the Vice-President.
(ii) The Vice-President shall reside in the metropolitan area during his/her term of office.
(d) Terms of Office
No person who has occupied the position of President, or Senior Vice-President or Vice-President for three consecutive terms shall be eligible to nominate for or be elected to a fourth consecutive term in that office.
Reason for amendments:
The proposed amendments remove gender pronouns and make the necessary grammatical changes to the rule without altering the intent of the original rule.
Effect of proposed amendments:
27 – Duties of President, Senior Vice-President and Vice-President
(a) President
(i) The President shall be a full-time paid officer of the Union, and shall:
(a) be the Chief Executive Officer of, and principal spokesperson for the Union;
(b) be responsible to the State Council and the Executive for the implementation of their decisions and directions;
(c) preside at and conduct all meetings of the Executive and State Council and sign the minutes thereof;
(d) in consultation with the General Secretary, convene meetings of State Council and Executive;
(e) ensure, as far as possible, that the Rules of the Union are performed and observed by officers and members of the Union;
(f) request and receive an explanation from any officer or member of the Union in any case where the President believes that the Rules of the Union may not have been performed or observed and report thereon to the State Council and/or Executive.
(ii) The President shall reside in the metropolitan area during the term of office.
(iii) The President shall be an ex officio member of any committee of the Union other than a committee of a branch.
(iv) In the absence of the President, the duties of the President shall be performed by the Senior Vice-President. In the absence of both the President and the Senior Vice-President the Vice-President shall perform the duties of the President. In the simultaneous absence of the President, Senior Vice-President and Vice-President, the Executive may appoint a member to carry out the duties of the President.
(b) Senior Vice-President
(i) The Senior Vice-President shall be a full-time paid officer of the Union. In the absence of the President, the duties shall be performed by the Senior Vice-President.
(ii) The Senior Vice-President shall reside in the metropolitan area during the term of office.
(c) Vice-President
(i) The Vice-President shall be a full-time paid officer of the Union. In the absence of the Senior Vice-President, the duties shall be performed by the Vice-President.
(ii) The Vice-President shall reside in the metropolitan area during the term of office.
(d) Terms of Office
No person who has occupied the position of President, or Senior Vice-President or Vice-President for three consecutive terms shall be eligible to nominate for or be elected to a fourth consecutive term in that office.
That Rule 28(a)(ii) be amended by the removal of capital letters from each of the dot points and their replacement with lower case letters.
That in the first dot point within rule 28(a)(ii), the word “determine” be replaced by the word “determines”.
(a) (i) Executive meetings shall be held at least four times in each calendar year at a time and place determined by the Executive but twelve weeks shall not elapse without a meeting of the Executive being called.
(ii) Meetings shall be held
* Whenever the Executive so determine or
* Whenever the President or whoever is acting in that office determines or
* Within seven days of a request in writing signed by not less than four members of the Executive being received by the General Secretary.
(b) Ten members of the Executive shall form a quorum for the conduct of business.
The proposed amendments correct grammatical errors in the current rule.
(a) (i) Executive meetings shall be held at least four times in each calendar year at a time and place determined by the Executive but twelve weeks shall not elapse without a meeting of the Executive being called.
(ii) Meetings shall be held
* whenever the Executive so determines or
* whenever the President or whoever is acting in that office determines or
* within seven days of a request in writing signed by not less than four members of the Executive being received by the General Secretary.
(b) Ten members of the Executive shall form a quorum for the conduct of business.
That Rule 30(a)(ix) be amended by the deletion of the word “to” after the word “appear” in the second line and replacing it with the word “or”.
That Rule 30(a)(xiv) be amended by the removal of the word "or" after "Journal" and its replacement with a comma, and the insertion of the words "or other authorised union publication" after the word "Teacher".
That Rule 30(b) be amended by the deletion of the words “his/her duties” and replacing them with the words “the duties of the General Secretary”.
Existing rule:
30
(a) The General Secretary shall, subject to the authority of Executive:
(i) Attend all meetings of the State Council and the Executive.
(ii) Keep, or cause to be kept, accurate minutes of the business transacted at each such meeting and circulate, or cause to be circulated, such minutes in draft, where required by these Rules and present, or cause to be presented, a true copy of the minutes in each case to the subsequent meeting of Executive.
(iii) Receive, reply to, file, and report upon all correspondence requiring attention or cause such correspondence to be so dealt with.
(iv) Receive and receipt, enter up and bank forthwith to the credit of the Union, all moneys paid to the Union or cause such moneys to be dealt with.
(v) Prepare and sign cheques drawn upon the funds of the Union, in payment of accounts proper to be paid, and ensure that each such cheque is countersigned as required by the Rules and is in all respects in order.
(vi) Keep, or cause to be kept, proper books of account of the Union and see to the preparation of an annual balance sheet and statement of receipts and payments and income and expenditure, disclosing the true financial position of the Union and submit same, together with all books and vouchers or records required for audit, to the Auditor within twenty-eight days of the end of the period to which it relates and present, or cause to be presented, the annual balance sheet and statement of receipts and payments, income and expenditure, together with the Auditor’s report thereon to the State Council.
Such books will be kept by the SSTUWA for a minimum period of seven years.
(vii) Inform the President of any significant matters affecting, or likely to affect, the Union and report thereon to the Executive and State Council.
(viii) Ensure that all matters required to be attended to by organisations of employees registered under the Act are attended to within the times and in the mode prescribed in the said Act and any regulation made thereunder.
(ix) Sign or process any document, proper to be signed on behalf of the Union by an officer thereof, or delegate such authority to another, and appear to authorise another to appear
before any Court, Commission or Industrial Tribunal before which the Union is to be represented.
(x) Be responsible for the day-to-day supervision, direction and control of all professional officers and employees of the Union.
(xi) Be responsible for the day-to-day maintenance and protection of the Union’s interest in any property, real or personal or any contract.
(xii) Subject to any decision of the Executive, appoint and dismiss the Union’s employees, other than those appointed by State Council or elected by the membership.
(xiii) Diligently and carefully carry out all the instructions of the State Council and Executive and report to State Council and Executive thereon and see to the prompt circulation of all agendas, notices and minutes required to be circulated by these Rules and generally pursue, by all lawful means, the Objects of the Union.
(xiv) Have published in the Journal or The Western Teacher reports of State Council and Executive meetings.
(xv) Ensure that any securities of the SSTUWA are kept in the General Secretary’s custody or under the General Secretary’s control.
(b) In the absence of the General Secretary, the Executive shall appoint another officer to undertake his/her duties.
The proposed amendment to Rule 30(a)(ix) corrects a typographical error.
The proposed amendment to Rule 30(a)(xiv) expands options for informing members about State Council and Executive matters and makes the necessary grammatical changes.
The proposed amendment to Rule 30(b) removes gender pronouns and makes the necessary grammatical changes to the rule without altering the intent of the original rule.
(a) The General Secretary shall, subject to the authority of Executive:
(i) Attend all meetings of the State Council and the Executive.
(ii) Keep, or cause to be kept, accurate minutes of the business transacted at each such meeting and circulate, or cause to be circulated, such minutes in draft, where required by these Rules and present, or cause to be presented, a true copy of the minutes in each case to the subsequent meeting of Executive.
(iii) Receive, reply to, file, and report upon all correspondence requiring attention or cause such correspondence to be so dealt with.
(iv) Receive and receipt, enter up and bank forthwith to the credit of the Union, all moneys paid to the Union or cause such moneys to be dealt with.
(v) Prepare and sign cheques drawn upon the funds of the Union, in payment of accounts proper to be paid, and ensure that each such cheque is countersigned as required by the Rules and is in all respects in order.
(vi) Keep, or cause to be kept, proper books of account of the Union and see to the preparation of an annual balance sheet and statement of receipts and payments and income and expenditure, disclosing the true financial position of the Union and submit same, together
with all books and vouchers or records required for audit, to the Auditor within twenty-eight days of the end of the period to which it relates and present, or cause to be presented, the annual balance sheet and statement of receipts and payments, income and expenditure, together with the Auditor’s report thereon to the State Council.
Such books will be kept by the SSTUWA for a minimum period of seven years.
(vii) Inform the President of any significant matters affecting, or likely to affect, the Union and report thereon to the Executive and State Council.
(viii) Ensure that all matters required to be attended to by organisations of employees registered under the Act are attended to within the times and in the mode prescribed in the said Act and any regulation made thereunder.
(ix) Sign or process any document, proper to be signed on behalf of the Union by an officer thereof, or delegate such authority to another, and appear or authorise another to appear before any Court, Commission or Industrial Tribunal before which the Union is to be represented.
(x) Be responsible for the day-to-day supervision, direction and control of all professional officers and employees of the Union.
(xi) Be responsible for the day-to-day maintenance and protection of the Union’s interest in any property, real or personal or any contract.
(xii) Subject to any decision of the Executive, appoint and dismiss the Union’s employees, other than those appointed by State Council or elected by the membership.
(xiii) Diligently and carefully carry out all the instructions of the State Council and Executive and report to State Council and Executive thereon and see to the prompt circulation of all agendas, notices and minutes required to be circulated by these Rules and generally pursue, by all lawful means, the Objects of the Union.
(xiv) Have published in The Western Teacher reports of State Council and Executive meetings.
(xv) Ensure that any securities of the SSTUWA are kept in the General Secretary’s custody or under the General Secretary’s control.
(b) In the absence of the General Secretary, the Executive shall appoint another officer to undertake the duties of the General Secretary.
That Rule 32(f) be amended by the deletion of the words “his/her opinion” in the first line and their replacement by the words “the opinion of the Returning Officer”, followed by the deletion of the words “he/she” in the second line.
That Rule 32(f) be further amended by the deletion of the words “him/her” in the fourth line and their replacement by the words “that person”.
That Rule 32(g) be amended by the deletion of the words “his/her” and their replacement by the word “a”.
That Rule 32(h) be amended by the deletion of the words “his/her right” in the second sentence and their replacement by the words “the rights outlined in this paragraph”.
That Rule 32(h) be further amended by the deletion of the words “he/she had” in the third sentence and their replacement by the word “given”.
(a) An Honorary Returning Officer and Honorary Assistant Returning Officer, who need not be members of the Union, shall be appointed by State Council at the first State Council meeting each year, for the purpose of conducting any internal Union elections which may be held within the Union throughout the year.
(b) The Returning Officer and Assistant Returning Officer shall not, during their term of office, be employees of, or the holder of, any office in the Union or any branch thereof; nor shall they be candidates for any election within the Union other than an election for the appointment of Returning Officer for the following term and shall not be eligible to nominate any candidate for any election under these rules.
(c) The Returning Officer and Assistant Returning Officer shall hold office until their successors are appointed. If either the Returning Officer or the Assistant Returning Officer is unable or unwilling to act as or when required, the Executive shall appoint an acting Returning Officer and/or Assistant Returning Officer, provided that no person so appointed shall be the holder of any other office, or be an employee of, or a candidate for, any other office in the Union.
(d) The Returning Officer, or the Assistant Returning Officer under the direction of the Returning Officer, shall take such actions and give such directions as are reasonably necessary to ensure that no irregularities occur in, or in connection with, any election or in order to ratify any procedure or defects in any election, and no person shall refuse or fail to comply with such directions or obstruct or hinder a Returning Officer or any other person in the conduct of any election or in the taking of any such actions.
(e) The decision of the Returning Officer regarding any matter pertaining to an election under his/her control shall be final.
(f) The Returning Officer shall consider all nominations and if, in his/her opinion, any nomination is defective, he/she shall immediately notify the person concerned of the defect by the most expeditious means and, where it is practicable to do so, give him/her the opportunity of remedying the defect, allowing, if practicable, at least seven days after notification.
(g) If any electoral irregularity or breach of these rules should occur in the conduct of an election and, in the opinion of the Returning Officer, such irregularity or breach will affect the result of such election, then such election and each and every step taken in connection therewith shall be declared by the Returning Officer to be null and void and another election shall be held forthwith. Any person holding office immediately prior to an election which is subsequently declared to be null and void shall remain in office until his/her successor is elected.
(h) In any election, each candidate shall be entitled to appoint, in writing to the Returning Officer, any person, whether a member of the union or not, to act as scrutineer at the election. All scrutineers shall, in the case of a ballot, be entitled to observe the admission and the counting of votes, the conduct of and determination of the election and the declaration of the poll. In every case a scrutineer shall observe the directions of the Returning Officer who shall take all reasonable steps to enable each scrutineer to exercise his/her rights. No election shall be invalidated should a scrutineer not exercise any or all such rights if he/she had reasonable opportunity to do so.
(i) In the election, each candidate shall be entitled to provide an election statement not exceeding three hundred words which shall be published in the official journal of the Union prior to the issue of ballot papers, provided that the Returning Officer may require any statement which contains defamatory words to be modified by the deletion of such words and, if the candidate declines to act on the request of the Returning Officer, shall refuse to allow the statement to be published in the union journal. Such election statements must be in the hands of the Returning Officer no later than the date and time of the close of nominations for the office to which the candidate seeks to be elected.
The proposed amendments remove gender pronouns and make the necessary grammatical changes to the rule without altering the intent of the original rule.
(a) An Honorary Returning Officer and Honorary Assistant Returning Officer, who need not be members of the Union, shall be appointed by State Council at the first State Council meeting each year, for the purpose of conducting any internal Union elections which may be held within the Union throughout the year.
(b) The Returning Officer and Assistant Returning Officer shall not, during their term of office, be employees of, or the holder of, any office in the Union or any branch thereof; nor shall they be candidates for any election within the Union other than an election for the appointment of Returning Officer for the following term and shall not be eligible to nominate any candidate for any election under these rules.
(c) The Returning Officer and Assistant Returning Officer shall hold office until their successors are appointed. If either the Returning Officer or the Assistant Returning Officer is unable or unwilling to act as or when required, the Executive shall appoint an acting Returning Officer and/or Assistant Returning Officer, provided that no person so appointed shall be the holder of any other office, or be an employee of, or a candidate for, any other office in the Union.
(d) The Returning Officer, or the Assistant Returning Officer under the direction of the Returning Officer, shall take such actions and give such directions as are reasonably necessary to ensure that no irregularities occur in, or in connection with, any election or in order to ratify any procedure or defects in any election, and no person shall refuse or fail to comply with such directions or obstruct or hinder a Returning Officer or any other person in the conduct of any election or in the taking of any such actions.
(e) The decision of the Returning Officer regarding any matter pertaining to an election under his/her control shall be final.
(f) The Returning Officer shall consider all nominations and if, in the opinion of the Returning Officer, any nomination is defective shall immediately notify the person concerned of the defect by the most expeditious means and, where it is practicable to do so, give that person the opportunity of remedying the defect, allowing, if practicable, at least seven days after notification.
(g) If any electoral irregularity or breach of these rules should occur in the conduct of an election and, in the opinion of the Returning Officer, such irregularity or breach will affect the result of such election, then such election and each and every step taken in connection therewith shall be declared by the Returning Officer to be null and void and another election shall be held forthwith. Any person holding office immediately prior to an election which is subsequently declared to be null and void shall remain in office until a successor is elected.
(h) In any election, each candidate shall be entitled to appoint, in writing to the Returning Officer, any person, whether a member of the union or not, to act as scrutineer at the election. All scrutineers shall, in the case of a ballot, be entitled to observe the admission and the counting of votes, the conduct of and determination of the election and the declaration of the poll. In every case a scrutineer shall observe the directions of the Returning Officer who shall take all reasonable steps to enable each scrutineer to exercise the rights outlined in this paragraph. No election shall be invalidated should a scrutineer not exercise any or all such rights if given reasonable opportunity to do so.
(i) In the election, each candidate shall be entitled to provide an election statement not exceeding three hundred words which shall be published in the official journal of the Union prior to the issue
of ballot papers, provided that the Returning Officer may require any statement which contains defamatory words to be modified by the deletion of such words and, if the candidate declines to act on the request of the Returning Officer, shall refuse to allow the statement to be published in the union journal. Such election statements must be in the hands of the Returning Officer no later than the date and time of the close of nominations for the office to which the candidate seeks to be.
That Rule 34(c) be amended by the deletion of the words “he/she” in the first line and their replacement by the words “that member”.
That Rule 34(e) be amended by the deletion of the words “his/her”.
That Rule 34(f) be amended by the deletion of the words “he/she shall from time-to-time place” and their replacement with the words “shall be placed from time to time” at the end of the sentence.
That Rule 34(g) be amended by the deletion of the words “he/she intends to take” in the second line and their replacement by the words “intended to be taken”.
That Rule 34(j) be amended by the deletion of the words “his/her” in the third line and replacing them with the word “a” and the removal of the words “his/her identity as an eligible voter” in the fourth line and replacing them with the words “eligibility to vote”.
That Rule 34(r) be amended by the deletion of the words “he/she” and replacing them with the words “the Returning Officer”.
That Rule 34(x) be amended by the deletion of the words “he/she” in the second sentence and replacing them with the words “the Commissioner”.
34 – Elections for Senior Officers and Executive Members
(a) Nominations for the offices of President, Senior Vice-President, Vice-President, General Secretary and Executive Members, including the position of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Member, shall be called for by the Returning Officer in the ‘West Australian’ newspaper, and the Western Teacher, or other authorised Union publication to be sent to each place of employment of the members of the Union, not less than 14 clear days prior to the date for opening of nominations. If an election is necessary it shall be conducted in accordance with these rules and, where possible, simultaneously with any election for AEU WA Branch Councillors which may be held in the same year.
(b) The elections of President, Senior-Vice President and Vice-President shall be conducted simultaneously.
(c) In the event of one member being successful for more than one position, he/she will automatically be declared elected to the higher status position and that person’s preferences distributed in the subsequent ballots for Senior-Vice President and/or Vice-President.
(d) All financial members of the Union shall be eligible to cast a vote in any election for Senior Officers’ and Executive Members’ positions.
(e) The electoral roll, which is a list of all eligible electors pursuant to Rule 5 – Entitlements, must be certified by the General Secretary, or his/her delegate, as containing correct names and addresses and provided to the Returning Officer.
(f) The Returning Officer shall nominate the address to which voters may post ballot papers. For the purpose of each election, the Returning Officer shall maintain a locked and sealed ballot box in which he/she shall from time to time place ballot papers received by post.
(g) Upon being notified of the appointment of a scrutineer the Returning Officer shall inform such scrutineer of the steps he/she intends to take in the conduct of the ballot.
(h) Where a scrutineer, appointed under Rule 34(g), interrupts the scrutiny or fails to carry out a lawful request by the Returning Officer, the Returning Officer may direct the scrutineer to leave the place where the scrutiny is being conducted.
(i) Following the close of nominations, the Returning Officer shall determine the dates over which the election/s shall be conducted, allowing twenty one days for members to cast their votes, excepting that in the case of an election to fill a casual vacancy the date of closure shall be at the discretion of the Returning Officer so as to enable the declaration of the result as soon as is reasonably practicable; further excepting that in the election for Branch Offices the period over which the election is conducted and the period between closure and declaration shall be decided by the Returning Officer such as to ensure that voting does not occur over a vacation period.
(j) The Returning Officer shall cause to be delivered to each voter by prepaid post an election package. With each election package there shall be provided a reply paid envelope in which the ballot paper is to be sealed after the voter has cast his/her vote. Attached to, or accompanying, each ballot paper shall be a declaration upon which the voter shall be required to prove his/her identity as an eligible voter. Such declaration shall be detached or separated by the Returning Officer and placed in separate piles to ensure that the ballot paper cannot be identified with the declaration.
(k) The ballot paper shall list the title of the office for which an election is to be held and following each title shall list the names of candidates in sequence determined by lot by the Returning Officer.
(l) The ballot paper must be completed according to the instructions on the ballot paper. Failure to comply with such instructions shall invalidate the vote.
(m) For the purposes of elections for Senior Officers and Executive Members, the ballot paper shall provide for voters to vote for a team or to vote for each candidate/s.
(n) The Returning Officer shall advise all voters of the closing date and hour (close of poll) for the receipt of returned ballot papers.
(o) Ballot papers must be returned to the Returning Officer either by post to the address shown on the reply paid envelope, or otherwise, so that the ballot paper is received by the Returning Officer no later than the close of poll. It is the voter’s responsibility to ensure that his/her ballot is received by the closing date and time.
(p) Immediately after the time determined for the close of the poll, the Returning Officer shall:
i. Open the ballot box and produce, unopened, all ballot paper envelopes;
ii. Open the ballot paper envelopes and extract ballot papers;
iii. Place the ballot paper envelopes and ballot papers in separate bundles; and
iv. Proceed with the counting of votes.
(q) Any vote in respect of the election of a person to an office shall be deemed invalid and not included in the count if:
i. The ballot paper is received by the Returning Officer after the close of poll;
ii. The content of the ballot paper does not comply with the instructions printed on it; or
iii. Ballot papers are received without declarations or with unsigned declarations.
(r) If the Returning Officer is satisfied that a ballot paper has been destroyed, lost, damaged or misused, he/she shall supply a replacement ballot paper to the person to whom the original ballot paper was supplied.
(s) The Returning Officer shall collect the returned ballot papers and, after rejecting those ballot papers which are informal, shall proceed with the count of votes. The Returning Officer shall retain all ballot papers, envelopes and other documents used in connection with the election and keep them in safe custody for a period of one year after the date of the election.
(t) The ballot shall be counted by the exhaustive preferential system.
(u) Where candidates receive an equal number of votes, the Returning Officer shall determine by lot which candidate/s shall be elected.
(v) Objections to the poll shall be in writing and signed by the candidate/s agent or by some other person qualified to vote in the election.
(w) The poll shall be declared by the Returning Officer not less than seven days and not more than ten days after the count has been finalised, provided that no objection has been lodged.
(x) A candidate shall have a right to object up to seven days after the declaration of the poll, on the grounds that the poll was not conducted in accordance with these rules. The Electoral Commissioner shall make such inquiry into the matter as he/she considers appropriate. The Electoral Commissioner shall, within a further seven days after considering the results of the inquiry, either
i. confirm the result of the election and issue a declaration; or
ii. declare the election to have been invalid and direct that a fresh election be held.
The proposed amendments remove gender pronouns and make the necessary grammatical changes to the rule without altering the intent of the original rule.
(a) Nominations for the offices of President, Senior Vice-President, Vice-President, General Secretary and Executive Members, including the position of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Member, shall be called for by the Returning Officer in the ‘West Australian’ newspaper, and the Western Teacher, or other authorised Union publication to be sent to each place of employment of the members of the Union, not less than 14 clear days prior to the date for opening of nominations. If an election is necessary it shall be conducted in accordance with these rules and, where possible, simultaneously with any election for AEU WA Branch Councillors which may be held in the same year.
(b) The elections of President, Senior-Vice President and Vice-President shall be conducted simultaneously.
(c) In the event of one member being successful for more than one position, that member will automatically be declared elected to the higher status position and that person’s preferences distributed in the subsequent ballots for Senior-Vice President and/or Vice-President.
(d) All financial members of the Union shall be eligible to cast a vote in any election for Senior Officers’ and Executive Members’ positions.
(e) The electoral roll, which is a list of all eligible electors pursuant to Rule 5 – Entitlements, must be certified by the General Secretary, or delegate, as containing correct names and addresses and provided to the Returning Officer.
(f) The Returning Officer shall nominate the address to which voters may post ballot papers. For the purpose of each election, the Returning Officer shall maintain a locked and sealed ballot box in which ballot papers received by post shall be placed from time to time
(g) Upon being notified of the appointment of a scrutineer the Returning Officer shall inform such scrutineer of the steps intended to be taken in the conduct of the ballot.
(h) Where a scrutineer, appointed under Rule 34(g), interrupts the scrutiny or fails to carry out a lawful request by the Returning Officer, the Returning Officer may direct the scrutineer to leave the place where the scrutiny is being conducted.
(i) Following the close of nominations, the Returning Officer shall determine the dates over which the election/s shall be conducted, allowing twenty one days for members to cast their votes, excepting that in the case of an election to fill a casual vacancy the date of closure shall be at the discretion of the Returning Officer so as to enable the declaration of the result as soon as is reasonably practicable; further excepting that in the election for Branch Offices the period over which the election is conducted and the period between closure and declaration shall be decided by the Returning Officer such as to ensure that voting does not occur over a vacation period.
(j) The Returning Officer shall cause to be delivered to each voter by prepaid post an election package. With each election package there shall be provided a reply paid envelope in which the ballot paper is to be sealed after the voter has cast a vote. Attached to, or accompanying, each ballot paper shall be a declaration upon which the voter shall be required to prove eligibility to vote. Such declaration shall be detached or separated by the Returning Officer and placed in separate piles to ensure that the ballot paper cannot be identified with the declaration.
(k) The ballot paper shall list the title of the office for which an election is to be held and following each title shall list the names of candidates in sequence determined by lot by the Returning Officer.
(l) The ballot paper must be completed according to the instructions on the ballot paper. Failure to comply with such instructions shall invalidate the vote.
(m) For the purposes of elections for Senior Officers and Executive Members, the ballot paper shall provide for voters to vote for a team or to vote for each candidate/s.
(n) The Returning Officer shall advise all voters of the closing date and hour (close of poll) for the receipt of returned ballot papers.
(o) Ballot papers must be returned to the Returning Officer either by post to the address shown on the reply paid envelope, or otherwise, so that the ballot paper is received by the Returning Officer no later than the close of poll. It is the voter’s responsibility to ensure that his/her ballot is received by the closing date and time.
(p) Immediately after the time determined for the close of the poll, the Returning Officer shall:
i. Open the ballot box and produce, unopened, all ballot paper envelopes;
ii. Open the ballot paper envelopes and extract ballot papers;
iii. Place the ballot paper envelopes and ballot papers in separate bundles; and
iv. Proceed with the counting of votes.
(q) Any vote in respect of the election of a person to an office shall be deemed invalid and not included in the count if:
i. The ballot paper is received by the Returning Officer after the close of poll;
ii. The content of the ballot paper does not comply with the instructions printed on it; or
iii. Ballot papers are received without declarations or with unsigned declarations.
(r) If the Returning Officer is satisfied that a ballot paper has been destroyed, lost, damaged or misused, the Returning Officer shall supply a replacement ballot paper to the person to whom the original ballot paper was supplied.
(s) The Returning Officer shall collect the returned ballot papers and, after rejecting those ballot papers which are informal, shall proceed with the count of votes. The Returning Officer shall retain all ballot papers, envelopes and other documents used in connection with the election and keep them in safe custody for a period of one year after the date of the election.
(t) The ballot shall be counted by the exhaustive preferential system.
(u) Where candidates receive an equal number of votes, the Returning Officer shall determine by lot which candidate/s shall be elected.
(v) Objections to the poll shall be in writing and signed by the candidate/s agent or by some other person qualified to vote in the election.
(w) The poll shall be declared by the Returning Officer not less than seven days and not more than ten days after the count has been finalised, provided that no objection has been lodged.
(x) A candidate shall have a right to object up to seven days after the declaration of the poll, on the grounds that the poll was not conducted in accordance with these rules. The Electoral Commissioner shall make such inquiry into the matter as the Commissioner considers appropriate. The Electoral Commissioner shall, within a further seven days after considering the results of the inquiry, either
i. confirm the result of the election and issue a declaration; or
ii. declare the election to have been invalid and direct that a fresh election be held.
That Rule 36(a) be amended by the deletion of the capital letter “A” and its replacement with a lower case letter “a”.
That Rule 36(c) be amended by the deletion of the words “WA Teachers’ Journal or the” and the insertion of the words “or other authorised union publication” after the word "Teacher".
Existing rule:
(a) Except as otherwise provided in these Rules, the Executive shall have power to make, alter or repeal Branch By-Laws for the management of Union affairs provided that notice of the motion to make, alter or repeal Branch ByLaws is included in the Agenda for the meeting of the Executive at which the motion is proposed.
(b) Branch By-Laws shall be made, altered or repealed to conform with any motion passed at State Council by a single majority of delegates present and voting at a properly constituted meeting or session of State Council, provided such motion was printed on the business paper, except that a two-thirds majority is necessary when so stipulated in these Rules.
(c) When Branch By-Laws are made, altered or repealed by Executive without instruction from State Council, such Branch By-Laws, alterations to or annulments of shall be published in the first available WA Teachers’ Journal or the Western Teacher.
The proposed amendment to Rule 36(a) corrects the incorrect use of a capital letter.
The proposed amendment to Rule 36(c) removes reference to the W.A. Teachers’ Journal which is no longer used for this purpose and expands options for informing members.
36 – Branch By-Laws
(a) Except as otherwise provided in these Rules, the Executive shall have power to make, alter or repeal Branch By-Laws for the management of Union affairs provided that notice of the motion to make, alter or repeal Branch ByLaws is included in the agenda for the meeting of the Executive at which the motion is proposed.
(b) Branch By-Laws shall be made, altered or repealed to conform with any motion passed at State Council by a single majority of delegates present and voting at a properly constituted meeting or session of State Council, provided such motion was printed on the business paper, except that a two-thirds majority is necessary when so stipulated in these Rules.
(c) When Branch By-Laws are made, altered or repealed by Executive without instruction from State Council, such Branch By-Laws, alterations to or annulments of shall be published in the first available Western Teacher or other authorised union publication
That Rule 38(h) be amended by the deletion of the words “WA Teachers’ Journal or The” and the insertion of the words “or other official union publication” after the word “Teacher”.
38 – Referenda
(a) A referendum of (i) the whole of the membership; or (ii) a section of the membership, where the question to be submitted affects only that section of the membership, shall be held if such is authorised by the State Council or by a special meeting of the Executive called for such purpose, provided that prior notice has been given to every member of the Executive.
(b) When a referendum is authorised the authorising body shall determine the question or questions to be asked on the ballot paper except that State Council may direct Executive to decide the question or questions to be asked.
(c) When a referendum has been authorised by a State Council or by Executive it shall be conducted in accordance with Rule 32 and such other Rules as may be written into these Rules from time to time.
(d) When a referendum is authorised the Executive shall appoint persons to prepare arguments for and against the question unless the Executive unanimously agrees otherwise.
(e) A copy of the arguments for and against shall be sent out with each ballot paper under the authority of the Executive.
(f) The identities of the persons who prepared the arguments shall remain confidential.
(g) The groups preparing the arguments for and against may each appoint in writing a person to act as scrutineer for the inspection of the roll and the count of the ballot.
(h) The result of each referendum shall be published in the W.A. Teachers’ Journal or The Western Teacher as soon after the ballot has been counted as is practicable.
(i) Notwithstanding Rules 24(a) and 24(b)(ii) Executive shall give effect to any decision reached by referendum.
The proposed amendment removes reference to the W.A. Teachers’ Journal which is no longer used for this purpose and expands options for informing members.
(a) A referendum of
(i) the whole of the membership; or (ii) a section of the membership, where the question to be submitted affects only that section of the membership,
shall be held if such is authorised by the State Council or by a special meeting of the Executive called for such purpose, provided that prior notice has been given to every member of the Executive.
(b) When a referendum is authorised the authorising body shall determine the question or questions to be asked on the ballot paper except that State Council may direct Executive to decide the question or questions to be asked.
(c) When a referendum has been authorised by a State Council or by Executive it shall be conducted in accordance with Rule 32 and such other Rules as may be written into these Rules from time to time.
(d) When a referendum is authorised the Executive shall appoint persons to prepare arguments for and against the question unless the Executive unanimously agrees otherwise.
(e) A copy of the arguments for and against shall be sent out with each ballot paper under the authority of the Executive.
(f) The identities of the persons who prepared the arguments shall remain confidential.
(g) The groups preparing the arguments for and against may each appoint in writing a person to act as scrutineer for the inspection of the roll and the count of the ballot.
(h) The result of each referendum shall be published in the Western Teacher or other official union publication as soon after the ballot has been counted as is practicable.
(i) Notwithstanding Rules 24(a) and 24(b)(ii) Executive shall give effect to any decision reached by referendum.
That a new Rule 3B – Interpretation be included in the rules as follows:
In these rules, unless a contrary intention appears:
the expression “in writing” or “written” includes all forms of printing, typing, facsimile, text messaging, email or other physical or electronic means, in English.
any reference to an act of communication, other than orally, includes communicating with that person by any available form of electronic communication, including but not limited to email.
a communication sent by email is taken to have been sent at the time of dispatch recorded on that email.
any reference to a person “signing” a document or to a “signature” on a document shall include electronic signing or signature.
electronic means includes all electronic methods of communication available for use in any context at any time including email, short message service (SMS), telephone, audio conference and video conference.
if something is required to be done under these rules and the last day for doing so is a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday, then the thing may be done on the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday.
The proposed new rule provides clarity as to how communications are interpreted within these Rules.
In these rules, unless a contrary intention appears:
the expression “in writing” or “written” includes all forms of printing, typing, facsimile, text messaging, email or other physical or electronic means, in English.
any reference to an act of communication, other than orally, includes communicating with that person by any available form of electronic communication, including but not limited to email.
a communication sent by email is taken to have been sent at the time of dispatch recorded on that email.
any reference to a person “signing” a document or to a “signature” on a document shall include electronic signing or signature.
electronic means includes all electronic methods of communication available for use in any context at any time including email, short message service (SMS), telephone, audio conference and video conference.
if something is required to be done under these rules and the last day for doing so is a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday, then the thing may be done on the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday.
That Rule 4(viii) be deleted and replaced by the following:
4(viii) Any employee of the SSTUWA provided that such persons are not engaged to perform in any clerical capacity falling within the provisions of Rule 5 – Eligibility for Membership of the Rules of the Western Australian Municipal, Administrative, Clerical and Services Union of Employees.
The State School Teachers’ Union of W.A. shall consist of an unlimited number of persons employed or usually employed in the following categories:-
(a) Full Members:
(i) Teachers employed by or on behalf of the state of Western Australia including teachers employed in pre-school centres in Western Australia provided that such teachers hold or are enrolled for the purpose of obtaining a teaching academic qualification.
(ii) Teachers, lecturers or trainers employed by any institution providing technical and further education in Western Australia.
(iii) Any person employed by any of the employers or in any of the places referred to in subrule (a)(i) or (a)(ii) of this rule who is employed as an education officer, guidance officer, counsellor or demonstrator.
(iv) Teachers employed in a temporary capacity by a technical and further education institution.
(v) Teachers employed by and in a Community College in Western Australia.
(vi) School teachers who are employed on a part-time (fractional) basis in the supervision and/ or coordination of student teachers during their periods of practice teaching in schools provided that they are eligible for membership of the Union within one of the preceding paragraphs of this subrule.
(vii) Any person elected to an office in The State School Teachers’ Union of W.A.
(viii) Any employee of the SSTUWA provided that such persons are not eligible for membership of the Western Australian Municipal, Administrative, Clerical and Services Union of Employees.
(ix) Persons who are qualified to be and desire to be employed in any of the categories of persons specified in subrules (i) - (v) of this rule. Notwithstanding the above, any person who is not registered with the relevant employer as available for work, and has not worked as a teacher for at least two years and who no longer has a contract of employment with the relevant employer shall not be eligible for membership under this subrule.
(b) Honorary Life Members: Any member of the Union who has rendered long and meritorious service to the Union may, upon retirement, be appointed as an Honorary Life Member. For the purpose of such an appointment it shall be necessary that nominations be received and approved by the Executive and published in The Western Teacher or other authorised publication of the Union at least three months prior to the opening of State Council.
(c) Honorary Members: Exchange teachers who are members of a teachers’ organisation in the State or country from which they have come may be appointed by the Executive as Honorary Members of this Union.
(d) Special Category Membership: Persons who are not trained teachers but who because of their special expertise are placed in charge of a class in any area of the educational service may become Special Category Members.
(e) Retired Teacher Members: Teachers retired from the Department of Education and Training because of age or invalidism may be admitted as Retired Teacher Members at the discretion of the Executive.
(f) Associate Members: The following persons are eligible:-
(i) Retired employees of the Union.
(ii) Former members, including all categories who are not eligible for any other form of membership.
The proposed amendment enables those industrial staff employees who are not performing clerical roles as outlined in the eligibility rules of WASU to be SSTUWA members in addition to being members of the Western Australian Municipal, Administrative Clerical and Services Union of Employees (WASU). The amendment, if endorsed will allow SSTUWA industrial staff members to be members of both organisations if they wish.
The State School Teachers’ Union of W.A. shall consist of an unlimited number of persons employed or usually employed in the following categories:-
(a) Full Members:
(i) Teachers employed by or on behalf of the state of Western Australia including teachers employed in pre-school centres in Western Australia provided that such teachers hold or are enrolled for the purpose of obtaining a teaching academic qualification.
(ii) Teachers, lecturers or trainers employed by any institution providing technical and further education in Western Australia.
(iii) Any person employed by any of the employers or in any of the places referred to in subrule (a)(i) or (a)(ii) of this rule who is employed as an education officer, guidance officer, counsellor or demonstrator.
(iv) Teachers employed in a temporary capacity by a technical and further education institution.
(v) Teachers employed by and in a Community College in Western Australia.
(vi) School teachers who are employed on a part-time (fractional) basis in the supervision and/ or coordination of student teachers during their periods of practice teaching in schools provided that they are eligible for membership of the Union within one of the preceding paragraphs of this subrule.
(vii) Any person elected to an office in The State School Teachers’ Union of W.A.
(viii) Any employee of the SSTUWA provided that such persons are not engaged to perform in any clerical capacity falling within the provisions of Rule 5 – Eligibility for Membership of the Rules of the Western Australian Municipal, Administrative, Clerical and Services Union of Employees.
(ix) Persons who are qualified to be and desire to be employed in any of the categories of persons specified in subrules (i) - (v) of this rule. Notwithstanding the above, any person who
is not registered with the relevant employer as available for work, and has not worked as a teacher for at least two years and who no longer has a contract of employment with the relevant employer shall not be eligible for membership under this subrule.
(b) Honorary Life Members: Any member of the Union who has rendered long and meritorious service to the Union may, upon retirement, be appointed as an Honorary Life Member. For the purpose of such an appointment it shall be necessary that nominations be received and approved by the Executive and published in The Western Teacher or other authorised publication of the Union at least three months prior to the opening of State Council.
(c) Honorary Members: Exchange teachers who are members of a teachers’ organisation in the State or country from which they have come may be appointed by the Executive as Honorary Members of this Union.
(d) Special Category Membership: Persons who are not trained teachers but who because of their special expertise are placed in charge of a class in any area of the educational service may become Special Category Members.
(e) Retired Teacher Members: Teachers retired from the Department of Education and Training because of age or invalidism may be admitted as Retired Teacher Members at the discretion of the Executive.
(f) Associate Members: The following persons are eligible:-
(i) Retired employees of the Union.
(ii) Former members, including all categories who are not eligible for any other form of membership.
That Rule 23(a)(xv) be deleted and replaced by the following:
(a) Vacancies which occur after the election for State Council delegates, where more than half of the term of office remains unexpired, shall be filled by the Returning Officer conducting an election in accordance with these Rules to fill that vacancy. Any person so elected shall hold office for the unexpired portion of the term of office remaining.
(b) Vacancies which occur after the election for State Council delegates, with less than half of the term of office remaining, shall be filled by the SSTUWA Executive appointing another financial member attached to the District in which the vacancy occurred.
The person so elected shall hold office for the unexpired portion of the term of office remaining.
23 – State Council
(a) Rules
(i) The governing body of the Union shall be the State Council.
(ii) Subject to any referendum of members, State Council is the supreme decision-making authority of the Union and Policy directives issued by State Council shall be adhered to by all members.
(iii) State Council shall consist of the President, Senior Vice President, Vice President, Ordinary Executive Members, General Secretary and delegates elected from each District, in accordance with the provisions of this rule and Rule 32- Elections for Office.
(iv) Each district shall be entitled to one delegate to State Council per 100 financial members, or part thereof.
(v) Where sufficient nominations from women financial members have been received, at least 50% of the delegates from each district to State Council shall be women.
(vi) Where fewer than the number of nominations required to enable subrule (a)(v), above, to be complied with, are received from women, any woman who so nominated shall be declared elected, and a ballot conducted to fill the remaining vacant position or positions.
(vii) Rule Deleted.
(viii) Any financial member may nominate to be a delegate to State Council representing his/her district, provided that such nomination is proposed and seconded by two financial members who are also members of that district.
(ix) Should nominations of delegates to State Council exceed the number of delegates to which the district is entitled, the Returning Officer shall conduct a ballot of all financial members in the district to determine district representation.
To attain gender balance in the district representation the Returning Officer shall, at the conclusion of the ballot, declare the highest polling women candidates elected, to the number of women delegates required under sub-rule (a)(v) of this rule. The remaining positions shall then be declared in the order of election.
(x) In addition to electing district delegates to State Council the members of the district are entitled to elect two alternate delegates. Such alternate delegates in the order in which they were elected, shall represent the district in the absence of one of the delegates subject to notification to the Union Returning Officer.
(xi) Where sufficient nominations from women financial members have been received, at least one of the alternate delegates shall be a woman. The Returning Officer, at the conclusion of any ballot for alternate delegates to State Council shall declare the highest polling female and male candidates elected. For the purposes of sub-rule (a)(x) of this rule, the first alternate delegate shall be the highest polling candidate of the two elected.
(xii) Where no nominations are received from women for an alternate delegate position, nominations shall be re-opened for all financial members to fill the designated position.
(xiii) The election of delegates to State Council shall be held during the first school division term each year, and such delegates shall hold office until their successors are elected during the first school division term of the following year and shall be eligible for re-election.
(xiv) State Council shall meet at least twice per year as determined by Executive.
(xv) In the event of a casual or extraordinary vacancy arising in the office of delegate to State Council, the casual vacancy shall be filled by an election in as far as practicable the same mode as is prescribed by these rules for the election of that State Council delegate and any person so elected shall hold office for the unexpired portion of the term of the State Council delegate he or she is elected to replace.
The rule change is necessary to reflect the process for election to Branch Council which occurs in the AEU WA Branch. Specifically, it allows for the SSTUWA Executive to appoint a financial member to fill a casual vacancy where an elected delegate resigns with less than half the term of office remaining. Where more than half the term of office remains, an election will be conducted as per the SSTUWA rules.
(a) Rules
(i) The governing body of the Union shall be the State Council.
(ii) Subject to any referendum of members, State Council is the supreme decision-making authority of the Union and Policy directives issued by State Council shall be adhered to by all members.
(iii) State Council shall consist of the President, Senior Vice President, Vice President, Ordinary Executive Members, General Secretary and delegates elected from each District, in accordance with the provisions of this rule and Rule 32- Elections for Office.
(iv) Each district shall be entitled to one delegate to State Council per 100 financial members, or part thereof.
(v) Where sufficient nominations from women financial members have been received, at least 50% of the delegates from each district to State Council shall be women.
(vi) Where fewer than the number of nominations required to enable subrule (a)(v), above, to be complied with, are received from women, any woman who so nominated shall be declared elected, and a ballot conducted to fill the remaining vacant position or positions.
(vii) Rule Deleted.
(viii) Any financial member may nominate to be a delegate to State Council representing his/her district, provided that such nomination is proposed and seconded by two financial members who are also members of that district.
(ix) Should nominations of delegates to State Council exceed the number of delegates to which the district is entitled, the Returning Officer shall conduct a ballot of all financial members in the district to determine district representation.
To attain gender balance in the district representation the Returning Officer shall, at the conclusion of the ballot, declare the highest polling women candidates elected, to the number of women delegates required under sub-rule (a)(v) of this rule. The remaining positions shall then be declared in the order of election.
(x) In addition to electing district delegates to State Council the members of the district are entitled to elect two alternate delegates. Such alternate delegates in the order in which they were elected, shall represent the district in the absence of one of the delegates subject to notification to the Union Returning Officer.
(xi) Where sufficient nominations from women financial members have been received, at least one of the alternate delegates shall be a woman. The Returning Officer, at the conclusion of any ballot for alternate delegates to State Council shall declare the highest polling female and male candidates elected. For the purposes of sub-rule (a)(x) of this rule, the first alternate delegate shall be the highest polling candidate of the two elected.
(xii) Where no nominations are received from women for an alternate delegate position, nominations shall be re-opened for all financial members to fill the designated position.
(xiii) The election of delegates to State Council shall be held during the first school division term each year, and such delegates shall hold office until their successors are elected during the first school division term of the following year, and shall be eligible for re-election.
(xiv) State Council shall meet at least twice per year as determined by Executive.
(xv) (a) Vacancies which occur after the election for State Council delegates, where more than half of the term of office remains unexpired, shall be filled by the Returning Officer conducting an election in accordance with these Rules to fill that vacancy. Any person so elected shall hold office for the unexpired portion of the term of office remaining.
(b) Vacancies which occur after the election for State Council delegates, with less than half of the term of office remaining, shall be filled by the SSTUWA Executive appointing another financial member attached to the District in which the vacancy occurred.
The person so elected shall hold office for the unexpired portion of the term of office remaining.
That Rule 24(c) be amended by the deletion of (c) in its entirety.
24 – Powers of Executive
(a) Subject to sub-rule (b) of this Rule the Executive shall control the affairs of the Union in accordance with these Rules.
(b) Between meetings of State Council, the Executive shall exercise all powers of State Council subject to the following:
(i) that the Executive is subject to and bound by decisions of State Council; and
(ii) that the Executive may not exercise State Council’s powers with respect to rule alteration, imposition of levies, determination of entrance fees and subscriptions, or any other matter expressly reserved by resolution of State Council.
(c) DEVOLUTION. Should the Executive declare that a matter should be referred to the membership through devolution, it shall be done in the manner provided herein:
(i) That, where an industrial agreement is required by decision of State Council to be endorsed in accordance with this rule it should be referred to the relevant sector of the membership.
(ii) The General Secretary shall communicate the matter to worksite representatives at relevant worksites, as directed by Executive.
(iii) Worksite representatives, on receipt of the communication shall call a meeting of Union members at worksites to deliberate and vote on the Executive proposals. A minimum of two weeks be allowed during which members can vote.
(iv) That a yes/no case be presented on each devolution question.
(v) The worksite representative shall notify the General Secretary, by the stipulated time of the number of worksite members who abstained or voted “for” and “against” the motion of the meeting.
(vi) The General secretary shall inform Executive and all worksites of the result.
(vii) A motion is carried if 60% or greater of the votes are in the affirmative.
(viii) Notwithstanding (ii) and (iv) above, postal ballots shall be conducted for those worksites for which, upon application to Executive, postal ballots have been approved and the following rule will apply:
* The General Secretary shall determine the roll of members for the worksites and all members of the worksite will receive a postal vote.
* The General Secretary will arrange for each item requiring the vote of a member to appear on a separate ballot paper with the members being required to circle the word “for” or “against” to indicate the members’ vote.
* The General Secretary shall allow 21 days for the return of members’ votes.
* Voting papers will be despatched to members at the worksite.
* The number of members abstaining from voting shall be recorded.
* Absentee votes be permitted at worksite meetings provided:
(i) That the member forward an apology for absence from the meeting together with his/her vote to an office bearer before the meeting.
(ii) That the member’s apology in writing is accepted by the meeting.
* At the close of the ballot the General Secretary shall place the result before Executive.
* Executive shall consider the results of the Devolution question and cause a report to be forwarded to worksites either by way of a letter from the General Secretary or by way of an article in The Western Teacher.
The proposed amendment deletes subrule 24(c) entirely, as it duplicates the process set out in Rule 38 – Referenda. The wording of Rule 38, while providing for a fair process, is less prescriptive than the wording contained in subrule 24(c).
24 – Powers of Executive
(a) Subject to sub-rule (b) of this Rule the Executive shall control the affairs of the Union in accordance with these Rules.
(b) Between meetings of State Council, the Executive shall exercise all powers of State Council subject to the following:
(i) that the Executive is subject to and bound by decisions of State Council; and
(ii) that the Executive may not exercise State Council’s powers with respect to rule alteration, imposition of levies, determination of entrance fees and subscriptions, or any other matter expressly reserved by resolution of State Council.
That Rule 38 – Referenda be amended by the deletion of subrule 38(c) and replacing it with the following:
(c) When a referendum has been authorised by State Council or by Executive it shall be conducted by the SSTUWA Returning Officer in accordance with this rule and any procedure determined by the authorising body, consistent with this rule.
38 – Referenda
(a) A referendum of
(i) the whole of the membership; or (ii) a section of the membership, where the question to be submitted affects only that section of the membership, shall be held if such is authorised by the State Council or by a special meeting of the Executive called for such purpose, provided that prior notice has been given to every member of the Executive.
(b) When a referendum is authorised the authorising body shall determine the question or questions to be asked on the ballot paper except that State Council may direct Executive to decide the question or questions to be asked.
(c) When a referendum has been authorised by a State Council or by Executive it shall be conducted in accordance with Rule 32 and such other Rules as may be written into these Rules from time to time.
(d) When a referendum is authorised the Executive shall appoint persons to prepare arguments for and against the question unless the Executive unanimously agrees otherwise.
(e) A copy of the arguments for and against shall be sent out with each ballot paper under the authority of the Executive.
(f) The identities of the persons who prepared the arguments shall remain confidential.
(g) The groups preparing the arguments for and against may each appoint in writing a person to act as scrutineer for the inspection of the roll and the count of the ballot.
(h) The result of each referendum shall be published in the W.A. Teachers’ Journal or The Western Teacher as soon after the ballot has been counted as is practicable.
(i) Notwithstanding Rules 24(a) and 24(b)(ii) Executive shall give effect to any decision reached by referendum.
The proposed amendment corrects an incorrect reference to Rule 32, provides for referenda to be conducted by the SSTUWA Returning Officer and allows the State Council or Executive to determine a procedure appropriate to the scope and nature of the question under consideration.
38 – Referenda
(a) A referendum of (i) the whole of the membership; or (ii) a section of the membership, where the question to be submitted affects only that section of the membership, shall be held if such is authorised by the State Council or by a special meeting of the Executive called for such purpose, provided that prior notice has been given to every member of the Executive.
(b) When a referendum is authorised the authorising body shall determine the question or questions to be asked on the ballot paper except that State Council may direct Executive to decide the question or questions to be asked.
(c) When a referendum has been authorised by a State Council or by Executive it shall be conducted by the SSTUWA Returning Officer in accordance with this rule and any procedure determined by the authorising body, consistent with this rule.
(d) When a referendum is authorised the Executive shall appoint persons to prepare arguments for and against the question unless the Executive unanimously agrees otherwise.
(e) A copy of the arguments for and against shall be sent out with each ballot paper under the authority of the Executive.
(f) The identities of the persons who prepared the arguments shall remain confidential.
(g) The groups preparing the arguments for and against may each appoint in writing a person to act as scrutineer for the inspection of the roll and the count of the ballot.
(h) The result of each referendum shall be published in the W.A. Teachers’ Journal or The Western Teacher as soon after the ballot has been counted as is practicable.
(i) Notwithstanding Rules 24(a) and 24(b)(ii) Executive shall give effect to any decision reached by referendum.
That Rule 39 – Alteration Of Rules be amended by the deletion of the rule in its entirety and replacing it with the following:
39 – Alteration of Rules
(a) These Rules may only be made, amended, varied, replaced, rescinded, repealed or deleted in accordance with the requirements of this rule.
(b) State Council may alter these Rules by resolution adopted in accordance with the rules governing its procedures provided that:
(i) Notice of the proposed alteration must be published in the agenda of the relevant State Council meeting in accordance with Rule 23(d)(i);
(ii) No alteration to the rules shall be made except by a motion carried by a two-thirds majority of delegates present and voting at a properly constituted meeting or session or postal ballot of State Council; and
(iii) State Council may endorse an alteration to the Rules in words and form different to that which have been published in the agenda provided that the words and form do not change the original intention of the proposed alteration.
(c) Notwithstanding anything in (a), (b) or (c) above, Executive is empowered and required to re-number or re-letter paragraph, sub-rules, and rules to preserve numerical or alphabetical order provided that the order of paragraphs, sub-paragraphs, sub-rules or rules, is not altered.
(d) As soon as practicable after the completion of each State Council, all decisions made by State Council concerning Rules amendments shall be published
(i) on the Union’s website; and
(ii) electronically to all members via email; or
(iii) in the Western Teacher, or other authorised publication.
(e) The publication of decisions made by State Council concerning rules amendments shall inform members of:
(i) the change endorsed by State Council;
(ii) the reasons for the change;
(iii) the intention of the union to apply to the WA Industrial Relations Commission to register the proposed alterations as decided by State Council; and
(iv) their right to object to the proposed alteration by forwarding a written objection to the Registrar of the WA Industrial Relations Commission.
(f) If any Rules amendments referred to in sub-rule (e) are matters which must be referred to the Commission-in-Court Session in accordance with Section 62(2) of the Industrial Relations Act 1979, members shall also be informed of their separate and additional right to object to the making of the application to the Commission-in-Court Session.
(a) Notice of proposed alteration or amendment of, additions to, or excisions from, these Rules must be received in the SSTUWA office by close of business on a date to be determined and published by Executive prior to each State Council and copies of the same shall be published in the agenda of the relevant State Council.
(b) No clause of these Rules shall be altered, added to, amended or excised, nor shall any new clause be made, except by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the delegates voting at a properly constituted meeting or session or postal ballot of State Council.
(c) State Council may endorse an alteration to the Rules in words and form different to that which have been published in the agenda provided that the words and form do not change the original intention of the proposed alteration.
(d) Notwithstanding anything in (a), (b) or (c) above, Executive is empowered and required to renumber or re-letter paragraph, sub-rules, and rules to preserve numerical or alphabetical order provided that the order of paragraphs, sub-paragraphs, sub-rules or rules, is not altered.
(e) As soon as practicable after the completion of each State Council, all decisions made by State Council concerning Rules Amendments shall be placed in the Western Teacher or such other publication and distributed to all worksites. Such publication shall inform members of:
(i) the change endorsed by State Council;
(ii) the reasons for the change;
(iii) the intention of the Union to apply to the WA Industrial Relations Commission to register those proposed alterations to these Rules as decided by State Council;
(iv) their right to object to the proposed alteration by forwarding a written objection to the Registrar of the WA Industrial Relations Commission.
(f) If any Rules amendments referred to in sub-rule (e) are matters which must be referred to the Full Bench in accordance with Section 62(2) of the Industrial Relations Act 1979, members shall also be informed of their separate and additional right to object to the making of the application to the Full Bench.
The proposed amendment allows for internal office procedures relating to rule amendments to be simplified without lessening the democratic control properly exercised by the Union’s State Council. It also ensures that the requirements of the WAIRC continue to be met.
(a) These Rules may only be made, amended, varied, replaced, rescinded, repealed or deleted in accordance with the requirements of this rule.
(b) State Council may alter these Rules by resolution adopted in accordance with the rules governing its procedures provided that:
(i) Notice of the proposed alteration must be published in the agenda of the relevant State Council meeting in accordance with Rule 23(d)(i);
(ii) No alteration to the rules shall be made except by a motion carried by a two-thirds majority of delegates present and voting at a properly constituted meeting or session or postal ballot of State Council; and
(iii) State Council may endorse an alteration to the Rules in words and form different to that which have been published in the agenda provided that the words and form do not change the original intention of the proposed alteration.
(c) Notwithstanding anything in (a), (b) or (c) above, Executive is empowered and required to renumber or re-letter paragraph, sub-rules, and rules to preserve numerical or alphabetical order provided that the order of paragraphs, sub-paragraphs, sub-rules or rules, is not altered.
(d) As soon as practicable after the completion of each State Council, all decisions made by State Council concerning Rules amendments shall be published:
(i) on the Union’s website; and
(ii) electronically to all members via email; or
(iii) in the Western Teacher, or other authorised publication.
(e) The publication of decisions made by State Council concerning rules amendments shall inform members of:
(i) the change endorsed by State Council;
(ii) the reasons for the change;
(iii) the intention of the union to apply to the WA Industrial Relations Commission to register the proposed alterations as decided by State Council; and
(iv) their right to object to the proposed alteration by forwarding a written objection to the Registrar of the WA Industrial Relations Commission.
(f) If any Rules amendments referred to in sub-rule (e) are matters which must be referred to the Commission-in-Court Session in accordance with Section 62(2) of the Industrial Relations Act 1979, members shall also be informed of their separate and additional right to object to the making of the application to the Commission-in-Court Session.
* Disclaimer: In this report inclusive/inclusivity refers to all within our communities receiving equal respect and opportunities regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation.
The 2025 AEU Federal Conference Statement highlighted key information regarding LGBTIQ+ matters:
The AEU is a signatory to the Trans Justice Project’s statement of solidarity and has pledged to stand with transgender and gender-diverse members and students in the face of the increasing anti-trans lobbying and disinformation.
The AEU supports and celebrates inclusion and diversity. All members and students should be treated with respect, empathy and compassion if we are to be a just and equal society. It is our collective responsibility to speak out and support our colleagues, students and community members against bigotry, prejudice, discrimination, misogyny, hate and racism.
Anti-fascism and combating the rise of the extreme right wing
The AEU recognises that hate speech, vilification, misogyny, transphobia, xenophobia, racism, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism and other forms of discrimination are being politically weaponised and used as a tool to divide society and undermine democracy. Refugees and asylum seekers again find themselves the target of these deeply disturbing trends, and we remain committed to campaigning for government policies that protect and respect all human rights. In other parts of the world this has been reflected in the rise in fascism. This is too often reflected in our preschools, schools and TAFE as these attitudes proliferate amongst students, families and communities. Increasingly, teachers, education leaders and education support workers are being subjected to treatment that dehumanises them and disempowers their ability to deliver socially inclusive education. Addressing these behaviours amongst students is difficult and poses a risk to psychological and physical harm.
SSTUWA’s LGBTIQ+ Committee has met several times in 2025. While the committee is small, it is encouraging to see the return of previous committee members. Areas of focus in 2025 have included:
• WA’s LGBTIQA+ Inclusion Strategy.
• Log of Claims 2026.
• Pride Parade 2025.
• Department of Education’s Diversity Alliance Network.
Last year, the state government committed to developing WA’s first whole-of-government LGBTIQA+ Inclusion Strategy. The aim is to “drive inclusion and promote the well-being and full social and economic participation of all LGBTIQA+ people in WA through identifying priority areas and associated actions to foster long-term change”.
The SSTUWA’s LGBTIQ+ Committee requested feedback from the broader membership who identify as allies on what they believe the government should focus on. The union sent targeted emails to groups of members in schools and TAFE. All feedback received covered the lived experiences of LGBTIQ+ members, with support and solidarity from ally members. Furthermore, the SSTUWA’s submission included input from the SSTUWA’s Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Intersex Policy and the union’s work with the Australian Education Union (AEU).
The SSTUWA acknowledges that the Department of Education (DoE) has an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Plan 2021-2025 that considers the diverse backgrounds of students, staff and families within schools. DoE’s plan focuses on workplace inclusion and equitable opportunities for people from diverse backgrounds and experiences. The only specific reference to LGBTIQA+ is noted in inclusive and equitable workplaces focus area: “Collaborate with organisations representing people with diverse sexualities and genders to build awareness and support.”1 There are a number of general actions in the plan that could be considered as relevant and inclusive of LGBTIQA+.
The DoE offers an optional online professional learning for teachers entitled Creating supportive and inclusive environments for gender diverse students. The professional learning (PL) covers some relevant information on inclusivity, some legal and policy obligations and challenges faced by gender diverse students. The PL, however, misses out on useful strategies that can be applied to a range of queer issues that arise and also lacks more targeted information and scenarios impacted in primary and secondary settings.
With only the online PL to use, there is an obvious lack in face-to-face support and training. The Safe Schools Coalition Australia (SSCA) program was defunded by the state government in October 2020. This program, formally known as Inclusive Education WA, provided schools with tools needed to create a safe, supportive and inclusive environment for LGBTIQA+ students.
The SSTUWA member feedback shows that the gap left by defunding the SSCA has never been filled by the online PL. The online training does not have the same impact or support as provided by the SSCA. We need our government to fund this program as a necessity, rather than an opt-in, like the online PL. Teachers can also use Equal Opportunity Commission WA’s (EOC) Sexual and Gender Diversity Guidelines in supporting schools, though this is not widely shared or known.
Current support in TAFE
The Department of Training and Workforce Development (DTWD) also has a Workforce Diversification and Inclusion Strategy Plan 2021-2025. The two priority areas are workforce diversification and workforce inclusion. Unlike the DoE’s plan, this plan clearly outlines employment outcomes for people of diverse sexualities and genders. The actions highlighted in the plan clearly outline how to “educate and empower” staff, “attract and develop”, “lead and build” and hold to “account and celebrate”2 people of diverse sexualities and gender.
The implementation of this action plan, however, is dependent on the college. Resourcing is a key issue, thus resulting in an inconsistent approach in the delivery of the action items. An example of this is the action to “Implement a PDSG-focused education and awareness workshop as part of the Department’s centralised Professional Development Program, delivered by PDSG organisations such as Pride in Diversity, Living Proud WA or Transfolk WA.”3
Supporting LGBTIQA+ education communities a) Clear policies and procedures
In all educational settings, there needs to be clear and explicit policies that outlines how LGBTIQA+ staff and students can be supported. This must include:
• Clear procedures on dealing with behaviours of discrimination including hate speech towards LGBTIQA+ people.
• All policies and procedures must use inclusive language to build a culture of respect and safety. This includes, but not limited to, the use of gender neutral language (where applicable) to remove the assumption of gender.
1 Department of Education Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Plan 2021-2025, p11
2 DTWD Workforce Diversification and Inclusion Strategy plan 2021-2025, p9
3 Ibid., p9
• Policy on how to handle name changes for students undergoing gender transition. This should outline procedures for chosen names both with and without parent support and legally changed names with and without parent support.
• Processes for ensuring that students undergoing transition at school are accessing some form of appropriate counselling.
• How to set and up and manage a LGBTIQA+ student club.
b) Supporting LGBTIQA+ staff
Our members reported that LGBTIQA+ staff need to be respected and heard, and this modelling is crucial for students to see. Member feedback showed that though educational settings tried to combat discrimination, again, a lack of clarity on how to tackle discrimination is the key issue. Though there is anti-discrimination legislation based on sexuality and gender for schools and workplaces, there are no laws in Western Australia protecting LGBTIQA+ people from any hate speech, whether online or in public. LGBTIQA+ employees are twice as likely to be victims of workplace discrimination compared to their non LGBTIQA+ colleagues4. What was most concerning and what our members have also reported, almost two in three LGBTIQA+ employees who have experienced or witnessed discrimination say these issues are rarely or never resolved.5
The SSTUWA recommends that schools and TAFE colleges have a well-structured staff forum for those who identify.
c) Dealing with discrimination and hate speech
Homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, heterosexism and monosexism must be included in the codes of conduct of departments, schools and colleges. Most educational settings understand this behaviour is unacceptable, but there needs to be explicit instructions on how to deal with perpetrators, and consequences, if necessary. All students and staff must have the opportunity to maximise their learning potential and teaching, regardless of their sexual orientation and/or preferred gender identity. Inclusion of days such as IDAHOBIT Day and Wear It Purple Day help to celebrate and recognise people of diverse sex, sexuality and gender, and should be highlighted every year. Schools and TAFE colleges should be provided with funding, resources and support from DoE and DTWD on how to run these days.
d) Leave provisions
Gender affirmation/transition leave should be implemented across all sectors. If we want to have a fair and just society, we need this leave entitlement to be implemented across all sectors. This is about providing safety mechanisms for anyone who wants to enter teaching/lecturing. The cost management of this will be small, as it will only impact a few employees, but the impact of this will be great. It will say to those who want to transition that they are seen and accepted by their employer. In DoE’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Plan 2021-2025, it states: “We know that when staff feel included, respected and valued at work, their wellbeing and professional skills flourish, leading to improved learning outcomes for students. Indeed, affirming the identifies of our workforce will support the students of Western Australia to also embrace their identities.”6Similarly, in DTWD’s Workforce Diversification and Inclusion Strategy Plan 2021-2025 claims “We are committed to increasing the representation of people from diverse backgrounds at all levels, and ensuring our staff experience a sense of belonging and inclusion at work.”7The SSTUWA commends the WA government on the development of this strategy to drive inclusion and promote wellbing for LGBTIQA+ people, and we hope that the SSTUWA’s submission will help towards the state government’s first LGBTIQA+ inclusive strategy and action plan.
The submission can be found on the State Council portal.
4 SEEK P.R.I.D.E Report Promoting Real Inclusion, Diversity and Empowerment in the Workplace 2021, p9
5 Ibid.,p12
6 Department of Education Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Plan 2021-2025, p2
7 DTWD Workforce Diversification and Inclusion Strategy plan 2021-2025, p1
PrideFest Parade 2025 will be held on Saturday 29 November at 8pm in Northbridge. After a successful union participation last year, the WA union movement will be together in the PrideFest Parade and the SSTUWA will be proudly participating, as endorsed by our LGBTIQ+ Committee. This year’s theme is We Are Here. As stated by PrideWA, this theme is about “asserting the visibility, resilience and unity of the LGBTIQA+ community. Inspired by historic activism, it emphasises that queer people have always existed and will continue to take up space unapologetically. The theme connects Western Australia to global struggles and recognises both past and present fights for equality. The theme highlights the geographic and cultural diversity of LGBTIQA+ people across WA. It also carries a message of solidarity, reminding those facing isolation that they are supported, while calling on allies and institutions to actively uplift and protect queer individuals.” The union movement will also be participating in Pride Fair Day this year, which will be held on Saturday 22 November.
Recommendations:
1. That a senior officer report.
2. That the report be received.
Graduate modules
The Growth Team continues to present at all available graduate modules one and four for the dual purposes of recruitment to and education about the SSTUWA. Up to 30 September this year, the team had attended 59 modules; 37 module one events and 22 module four. This included 13 regional modules. Modules remain the single most productive recruitment events available to the Growth Team.
School visits
The school blitz model of schools recruitment has continued into 2025, based on the method established by the NSW Teachers’ Federation. Typically, a Growth Team officer will visit a smaller primary school for one hour before school in the morning and then a high school, district high school or large primary school from recess to lunch. Every opportunity is taken to visit regional schools in conjunction with itineraries for attendance at graduate modules.
Up until 30 September, 240 different schools were visited by the Growth Team this year, resulting in 85 financial and 55 student joins. During each visit, existing members are provided with information on member benefits, with a focus on Union Shopper, Teachers Health Fund, Journey Accident Cover and the one free legal will per year. Members are also invited to check that their contact and work position details are up-to-date. Over this reporting period, 921 members updated their details during an interaction with a Growth Team officer at a school visit.
From 1 January to 30 September this year, the Growth Team attended 16 university events, resulting in 552 student joins. These events include general and education-specific orientations, Guild open days and career fairs. Given that, historically, a minimum of 10 per cent of student members upgrade immediately to financial membership upon completion of their studies, the Growth Team commenced a special project to expand its reach amongst university students. As a result, the Growth Team facilitated five additional guest lectures at Edith Cowan University, recruiting 132 students in the process. These lectures also play an important role in the education of pre-service teachers about their rights and responsibilities as future workers in the public education system.
This year, the Growth Team contacted 600 students with lapsed SSTUWA membership by email, phone call and text message. Seventy (12 per cent) of these student members signed up directly through these conversion calls, with many more joining at graduate modules, on school visits or of their own accord. Additionally, 124 (21 per cent) of those contacted had not yet finished their studies and opted to extend their complimentary student membership to their new estimated lapse date. This will allow the team to make further contact upon their new lapse date. This project remains a key recruitment opportunity for the Growth Team.
Clause 32.1 of the Schools General Agreement requires the employer to provide the SSTUWA with a list of new teaching employees and their schools at the commencement of each term. This includes existing teachers who have taken on new contracts, as well as graduates and untrained teachers new to the department. Growth Team officers map the raw data against the membership database, and each new starter is classified as either a current member, potential member, previously resigned member or active student member (currently holding free student membership with the SSTUWA).
Growth Team officers contact all active student members by phone call and text message. They are informed that the employer has notified us that they are a new starter, and they are invited to upgrade to financial membership to remain in the SSTUWA and enjoy the benefits of union membership. Additionally, the union rep at each school site is posted a growth pack, including a list of all potential member new starters, a set of recruitment materials and a letter requesting they have a recruitment conversation with these individuals. For those potential member new starters who do not have elected
representatives at their worksite, an individual letter and recruitment materials are posted directly to their school.
Organisers and Growth Team officers receive a list of new starters for each worksite, so that these potential members can be targeted for recruitment during school visits.
Orientations and inductions
Attendance at orientations and inductions outside the graduate modules is an important strategy for recruitment, education and retention. The Growth Team is routinely invited to the annual Teach for Australia regional intensive the termly Entry and Orientation Program and International Teachers Induction. Attendance at these three key programs provides the opportunity to educate those entering teaching in WA through alternate pathways with information on the role and importance of the SSTUWA.
Growth Team recruitment data for the period 1 January - 30 September 2025
Core recruitment strategies
Growth Team communications strategy
Communications targeted specifically at new educators remain a cornerstone of effective engagement. Each Western Teacher edition includes a Growth Team page, focusing on a topic relevant to early career teachers. Included on the same page is one letter from the New Educator ABCs series, as well as a simple teaching tip. The new educator eNews is sent monthly to pre-service and limited authority to teach (LAT) teachers and educators in their first five years. This targeted eNews continues to see strong open and click-through rates. New educator content is also shared on social media, including on the New Educator Network Facebook group, the SSTUWA Instagram page and on the main SSTUWA Facebook page. This year, the Growth Team interns have trialled new ways to boost engagement, including polls, giveaways and photo-driven posts. The approach has paid off, with the NEN Facebook group seeing growth in both membership and interactions.
In addition to this broader communications strategy, the Growth Team continues to send onboarding emails to any teacher in their first five years of teaching, or preservice teacher, who joins the SSTUWA. These emails are sent within one month of the new member’s join date and highlight the specific supports and benefits available to new educator members, as well as some of the broader benefits to union membership.
The Growth Team continues to facilitate an email notification to union reps every time a new member joins their branch.
During the January and July school holidays, the SSTUWA: Building a Strong Foundation for New Teachers in Public Education training event was delivered through the Education and Training Centre. The course is open to pre-service, LAT and very early career teachers. It comprises four sessions: the role
of the SSTUWA in public education, industrial conditions dictating the working week, teacher registration and job opportunities in public education, all followed by a Q and A. This event represents an early opportunity for new educator members to engage with, and learn the value of, their union. Twenty-five participants attended in January, and 28 in July.
Overall comments from participants indicated that the session fulfilled its purpose of providing graduating students with the industrial information not covered at universities, and positioning the SSTUWA as a trustworthy and helpful organisation for advice and support moving forward.
In August, Growth Team interns co-presented the online session General Agreement 2023 (Schools) Series via Zoom - Session Eight: A Focus on New Educators alongside the senior vice president. This training was open to any SSTUWA member, and both reps and new educators attended. Attendees were provided with up-to-date information about new educator rights and entitlements, as well as the opportunity to ask any questions on the topic. Feedback from the Education and Training Centre and participants was positive.
The New Educator Committee had 19 applicants, with 15 elected and strong turn-out at meetings, both in-person and via Zoom. Many committee members hold other elected leadership positions, including union rep or District or State Council delegate positions. The committee has met termly this year, providing valuable information and feedback about new educator matters.
In June, six new educator guests joined State Council as part of the State Council Guest Program, each attending as an observer mentored by an elected delegate. All six were actively involved in the program, participating in a morning debrief before the conference on Saturday morning, and engaging with one another, elected delegates and speakers during breaks and Friday evening drinks, as well as taking in the proceedings of State Council from the floor. All the guests indicated a keen interest in sharing what they had learned at State Council with their branch and to continue to be involved with their union.
This year, the SSTUWA will send a delegation of four new educator members to the National New Educator Conference to be held in Brisbane between 22-23 November. This Conference provides an opportunity to engage active new educator members in both professional issues and discussions around national union matters. It also helps ensure the AEU successfully responds to the views and experiences of our new educator membership. Delegates will engage in a wide range of workshops on current issues important to new educators and become more engaged and active within the AEU. A formal report about this AEU Conference will be presented to the 2026 June State Council Conference. Please note that the conference did not run in 2024.
The 2025 Growth Team new educator internship program has delivered strong results in both the core recruitment, retention and engagement work of the Growth Team and the professional and industrial learning of the interns themselves.
Recruitment outcomes have met or exceeded those of previous years. As the work of the Growth Team has a focus on early-career teachers, the ability of the interns to undertake peer-to-peer recruitment has been highly valuable. Interns undertake the full range of recruitment activities, including phone recruitment, presentations at universities and graduate modules, regional itineraries and a busy schedule of school visits and other conferences and events.
A range of retention strategies have proved effective. In particular, a targeted focus on sharing member benefits during school visits has led to positive feedback from reps and members. To the end of September, over 900 members have updated their details through a Growth Team interaction. Both interns have also been heavily involved in Growth Team communications, writing Western Teacher articles and New Educator eNews and planning and delivering social media content.
Both interns have worked to engage new educators and other members. This is evident in the high number of nominations for the New Educator Committee and applications to the State Council guest program. Additionally, the New Educator Network has significantly increased member numbers and member engagement due to innovations developed, tested and optimised by the interns.
At the beginning of the year, each intern developed an individual professional and industrial training plan with courses of their choosing, including public speaking training, professional learning and industrial training through the Education and Training Centre, and growth coaching. Additionally, interns are supported to undertake a project or work on a particular area of interest – this year, a focus on increasing the SSTUWA’s capacity to engage with pre-service teachers, the development of a handbook for future interns and improving the New Educator Network social media reach and engagement. Interns have also gained exposure to the broader work of their union, spending time with internal and external organisers and learning about the work and function of each of the different teams within the organisation.
Both interns have reported that the experience, skills and knowledge that they have developed over the course of the internship has contributed to being better educators and unionists, and they look forward to returning to their schools and putting these learnings into practice to benefit public education and unionism.
1. That a senior officer report.
2. That the report be received.
The Preschool Outcomes Measure (POM) is a key reform under the Preschool Reform Agreement which is a joint Australian and state and territory governments' initiative.
The POM is a national tool, aligned with the Early Years Leaning Framework, which is being designed to help teachers support children’s learning and development in the year before full-time school. This tool will document children’s progress in the domains of executive function (working memory, self-control and flexible learning) and oral language and literacy.
Following a consultation and design stage, a small school trial occurred in WA during November 2024 to validate the measurement and functionality of the tool. This occurred across 18 public schools, 13 Catholic schools and four independent schools. These assessments were undertaken by a team from the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER).
The findings from the small school trials indicated that the POM was on track and all jurisdictions supported the POM progressing to the National Applied Trial.
Around 100 WA schools opted to participate in the national trial, which occurred during Term 3, 2025. ACER, in partnership with Goodstart Early Learning and Ninti One, will use feedback generated from teachers from this larger scale national trial to finalise the design.
The full-time kindy pilot will be commencing from Term 1, 2026. Three metropolitan and two regional schools have been selected to participate, with another five locations being added for the 2027 school year.
Kindy will remain non-compulsory and the option for children to attend full time or part time will remain.
An Office of Early Childhood has been established to oversee the rollout of the trial and various stakeholder meetings have been held during the past few months. Importantly, the current kindy curriculum, developed by SCSA, will be used and a first of its kind play strategy will also be developed.
The Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) is a national measure of children’s development as they enter their first year of full-time school.
The 2024 AEDC took place between 1 May-31 July 2024, capturing children who were mostly born in 2018 and 2019. Around 300,000 children were included in each collection of the AEDC, totalling over 1.7 million children since the AEDC began.
The AEDC captures data on five key areas or domains of early childhood development that have been shown to predict later mental health, wellbeing and educational outcomes. Those domains are physical health and wellbeing, social competence, emotional maturity, language and cognitive skills, communication skills and general knowledge.
There are three categories which describe these domain scores:
• Developmentally on track – children are developing well.
• Developmentally at risk – children are facing challenges in some aspects of their development.
• Developmentally vulnerable – children are facing some significant challenges in their development.
Nationally, the percentage of children developmentally vulnerable has increased across all five AEDC domains:
In WA, the percentage of children developmentally on track has decreased, whilst those developmentally vulnerable has increased across all five AEDC domains:
This one-day TUT approved event provided participants with the opportunity to learn, listen, collaborate and discuss effective ways to nurture the intellectual, emotional and social growth of young children. A range of high-quality presenters ensured attendees were engaged across the day.
• Beck Thompson – author, teacher, speaker, founder of Trauma Informed Teachers Australia.
• Dr Fiona Boylan – senior lecturer and researcher in Early Childhood Studies at ECU.
• Louka Parry – one of Australia’s top innovators.
• Amy Cox – play therapist, award-winning teacher, early childhood academic.
• Kristy Howson – principal consultant, early childhood at SCSA.
• Tammy-Anne Caldwell and Todd Budden – Above and Beyond Education. Overall comments and feedback received from participants was exceptionally positive.
Recommendations:
1. That a senior officer report.
2. That the report be received.
1. Schools education-specific health and safety representative (HSR) training
In 2025, the SSTUWA organised six five-day Department of Education (DoE) specific work health and safety (WHS) introductory courses for HSRs. HSRs are entitled to a one day refresher course in the second and third years of their three year term; the SSTUWA continues to facilitate the one day refresher courses for those in their second and third years as HSRs. By the end of year, approximately 270 HSRs will have received training at the SSTUWA.
The union ran a school leader WHS one day course where 18 school leaders participated. Work health and safety was also a module offered in the Ethical School Leader training which was delivered to 58 participants.
There are currently approximately 950 HSRs elected in public schools, which is a further increase on the numbers reported last year (899).
2. DoE WHS initiatives
2.1. Relevant DoE Health and Safety Policy and Procedures
a) Psychological safety and new psychological hazard or incident report (PHIR) form:
As of late 2024, the DoE has been training school principals on the changes to the new psychosocial risk management process.
The tiered response to PHIR forms is now embedded in the DoE process:
Level 1: Response (school level).
Level 2: Consultation or review (regional office).
Level 3: Investigation or process review (central office).
Level 4: External investigation.
The response is determined upon various factors:
• Level of risk.
• Level of harm.
• Type of psychosocial hazard.
• Whom has management of the matter.
The SSTUWA is involved in the ongoing consultation meetings regarding the new PHIR process and consistently provide feedback based on the experiences of our members. While the SSTUWA is in favour of the new streamlined PHIR process, the new changes must not add to the workload of school leaders in managing the PHIR process. Part of the workload implication is understanding when to use the PHIR process.
The SSTUWA has supported members and branches who have either lodged PHIR forms or reported high risk psychosocial hazards to ensure that they are strongly represented in the process and to seek effective controls and resolution of their WHS issues.
At time of writing this report, the SSTUWA is developing an internal process to effectively manage and triage the PHIR process to offer the best support where possible.
The SSTUWA continues to attend school-based ACM consultation meetings where required to ensure appropriate controls from regulations and the DoE ACM management plan are followed.
The KOWS document has been placed on hold as DoE is undertaking a system-wide risk assessment of the various policies and processes in this area. Currently the KOWS document has been redrafted to meet IKON requirements, however, the SSTUWA has stressed that the KOWS content still needs to meet the requirements of its intended purpose, rather than fit the structures of IKON. The DoE is planning on adding steps to ensure that the onus of workplace safety does not only fall on the school staff. At the time of writing this report the SSTUWA was yet to receive the updated KOWS document.
The SSTUWA was invited to review of the Connect and Respect materials after it was raised by the union with the Employee Relations Executive Committee (EREC). The Connect and Respect materials assist schools to manage parent and care giver expectations while outlining appropriate behaviours when engaging school staff. This works in tandem with the SSTUWA’s respect campaign. While the documents are good, the union’s feedback is for the materials to be clearer and more concise in their information and more user friendly. We are requesting the DoE undertake a possible relaunch to promote the redrafted materials.
The welding fumes issue is ongoing with the DoE undertaking testing across various worksites with welding facilities.
Consultation on the exposure limits from the sample testing and potential future controls are currently being explored. The SSTUWA will be requesting and campaigning for funding for schools if improved engineering and/or personal protective equipment (PPE) controls are required.
The SSTUWA is still encouraging members to report incidents of workplace violence and aggression through our Violence: Report it strategy. All reports requiring follow-up are handled through our triaging process with Member Assist for assessment and management. The SSTUWA has developed a process to support schools and TAFE colleges with critical incidents involving workplace violence and aggression.
The union continues to advocate for support for all members who are experiencing gendered violence. With changes to legislation regarding sexual harassment, the union is working with members on a case-by-case basis where needed. Recently the union has been investigating the code of conduct, policies and processes at DoE and TAFE colleges to see what steps are being taken to eliminate of sexual harassment in workplaces.
The WHS organiser presented at TAFE delegate training on psychosocial hazards and general person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) obligations under the WHS Act.
The union continues to provide advice and support where necessary within TAFE to assist our members in resolving WHS matters. Below are some examples:
• Concerns over the number of students in a specific trade environment and associated risks.
• Temperature (heat) concerns at one campus which led to improved controls to ensure decreased temperatures for staff and students.
• ACM concerns.
The SSTUWA continues to provide input into UnionsWA submissions for codes of practice from the Work Health and Safety Commission.
By the end of 2025, we will have provided input in the following codes of practice:
• Work Health and Safety Management Systems in the Public Sector
• Sexual and Gender-Based Harassment
We will also be active in the statutory five year review of the WHS Act at the end of 2025 into 2026. We will be providing input into the UnionsWA submission and compiling our own.
Safe Work Australia (SWA), under direction of the WHS ministers, were asked to undertake a best practice review to ensure the model WHS laws provide the highest level of protection for workers with particular focus on the following:
• Whether the model WHS Act and model WHS Regulations incorporate a best practice approach that achieves the object of the model Work Health & Safety Act 2011 (s3), and
• Processes to maintain and strengthen harmonisation.
The SSTUWA participated in a face-to-face session with SWA representatives as a part of a UnionsWA feedback session and provide input into the review in September. Submissions close 3November with the report to be provided to WHS ministers in mid 2026.
Recommendations:
1. That a senior officer report.
2. That the report be received.
3. The State Council acknowledges the winner of The Joy Barrett Work Health and Safety Award.
Recommendations:
1. That a senior officer report.
2. That the report be received.
Session 3
8.15am – noon
8.15am – 9am Registration and tea/coffee
9am – noon Awards
Reconciliation in Action Award
AEU Federal TAFE photography competition winners
State Council reports and motions
SC.8 Administration report
SC.9 Motion from Governor Stirling Senior High School Branch
SC.10 Motion from Bob Hawke College Branch
SC.11 Motion from Bob Hawke College Branch
SC.12 Motion from Bob Hawke College Branch
SC.13 Legal services report
SC.14 General Agreement Schools 2023 report
SC.15 Motion from Belmont City College Branch
SC.16 Motion from Belmont City College Branch
SC.17 Motion from Noranda Primary School Branch
SC.18 Motion from Dongara District High School Branch
SC.19 Motion from Carson Street School Branch
SC.20 Motion from Carson Street School Branch
SC.21 Motion from Gibbs Street Primary School Branch
SC.22 Motion from Gibbs Street Primary School Branch
SC.23 Motion from Gibbs Street Primary School Branch
SC.24 Motion from Harrisdale Senior High School Branch
SC.25 Motion from Harrisdale Senior High School Branch
SC.26 Motion from Greenwood College Branch
Vale members (one minute silence)
Lunch Noon – 12.45pm
This State Council will consider several proposed rule changes.
The Legal Services report provides information on our management strategy and procedures for this complex and important work over the last two years.
Rules for decision are:
Rule 3 - Objects
Rule 3B - Interpretation
Rule 4 - Membership
Rule 6A - Admission to Membership
Rule 6B - Dual Membership
Rule 7 - Financial Members
Rule 8 - Register of Members
Rule 9 - Registered Address
Rule 11 - Breach of Rules
Rule 14 - Entrance Fee
Rule 17 - Payment of Arrears
Rule 20 - Property of the Union
Rule 21 - Branches
Rule 22 - Districts / District Council
Rule 23 - State Council
Rule 23(a) - State Council
Rule 24 - Powers of Executive
Rule 25 - Officers
Rule 25A - Resignation / Removal from Office
Rule 26 - Casual Vacancies
Rule 27 - Duties of President, Senior Vice-President and Vice-President
Rule 28 - Meetings of Executive
Rule 30 - Duties of the General Secretary
Rule 32 - SSTUWA Returning Officer and Assistant Returning Officer
Rule 34 - Elections for Senior Officers and Executive Members
Rule 36 - Branch By-Laws
Rule 38 - Referenda
Rule 39 - Alteration of Rules
At time of agenda publication, the elections underway under the Fair Work Commission/Australian Electoral Commission are:
• E2025/37 AEUWA ECE Committee
• E2025/39 SSTUWA/AEUWA Senior Officers and Executive
• E2025/110 SSTUWA/AEUWA Executive Emergency Committee
At time of agenda publication, elections underway under the SSTUWA returning officer are:
• UnionsWA Council Delegation 2026
• SSTUWA Disputes Resolution Committee 2026
• Education Committee 2026
The SSTUWA/AEUWA returning officer’s report will be provided at State Council.
Our guiding principles
Our focus areas
Be proud of your profession
Defend and extend your collective bargaining rights
Stand up for your rights
After working with State Council delegates to identify the vision statement, guiding principles and focus areas we have spent time working with staff to ensure their understanding and what their dayto-day application of these strategic directions will be as we move into 2026. Kevlynn Annadale, ETC coordinator, and Natalie Swinbourn, lead organiser, are project managing this internal stage.
Staff have been involved in two workshops where they worked together in teams to first unpack the vision statement, guiding principles and focus areas so that they could come alive for both our industrial and administrative staff. This was an essential element to engage the staff in what our State Council delegates are telling us are the most important elements in our long-term work for the SSTUWA. The second workshop has allowed staff to work in their teams to develop a connection first with the strategic directions whilst also understanding how these guide each team’s day-to-day work.
The teams will then build on this work over the final weeks of the year to develop operational plans for 2026 that highlight what the team’s contribution to our strategic directions is as well as how everyone contributes to their team’s overall goals.
Each staff member was also given the opportunity to share what is something that they feel most proud of that they contribute to the overall direction of the SSTUWA. This proved to be a valuable task where staff were able to show a true connection to the vision of the SSTUWA and how all staff are essential to the ongoing positive running of our union.
The final internal operational plans will be shared with Executive, leading into the end of year Executive, industrial and operational directions workshop.
The introduction of the Teachers Mutual Bank (TMB)/SSTUWA branch bank accounts agreement in June has progressed to incorporate negotiated improvements identified from the first roll out.
The accounts will continue to maintain the two signature governance requirement but require only one of these signatures to manage payments and the branch transactions. Further, the two branch member signature holders will be provided with their own TMB/SSTUWA XYZ Branch account card. These two key changes are now in place.
The first-round reviews and feedback also identified the need for the office to provide one-to-one branch service to step through the paperwork. Therefore, the Accounts Team and an organiser will be ready at State Council to assist branch reps individually with the required two form application process. This same one-to-one action will occur at every union delegate training in 2026 and at school/college organiser visits.
I acknowledge the collective team work to progress this important work: the members who provided feedback and support, Michelle Sherwin from Accounts who has led the project, the patient and professional TMB staff, our organisers and Member Assist staff who will be working one-to-one with branches.
September 2025
*Comprises of 120 elected delegates plus 18 Executive Committee members and the General Secretary.
• General Agreement 2023 (Schools): Implementation and education.
• General Agreement 2023 (TAFE): Implementation and education.
• AEU Schools Funding: Next steps.
• AEU Rebuild With TAFE.
• SSTUWA Safety and Respect at Work 2025/2026.
• Union Membership Growth AEU/ACTU 2025/2026.
• EBA Schools 2026 Stage 1 Log of Claims.
• EBA TAFE 2026 Stage 1 Log of Claims.
RAP review
The Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) is integral to our strategic plan and operational plans. An update on the current review is in the State Council Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander report. The completed 2026 RAP will be implemented through the 2026 operational plans and therefore with support for all required departments. Oversight and our accountability will remain with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Committee.
IT controls audit and review
The William Buck IT Controls Report 2023 provided an extensive report identifying 18 specific IT controls and a total of 41 recommendations to address these controls. Reports have been provided to State Council as the project work has progressed.
The “high risk” identified IT controls prioritised for action were IT assets, physical access controls, least privilege, network segmentation and segregation, cybersecurity training, baseline security configurations and security monitoring.
Status report at 9 October 2025:
All 41 recommendations issued by William Buck are between at 75 per cent – 100 per cent complete. Eighteen of the 41 are 100 per cent complete. This includes:
• Develop service level agreements for all suppliers and contractors.
• Upgrade physical access controls.
• Review and implement permission-based access.
• Multifactor authentication for internal and external applications.
• Updated security for manual processing of staff payroll.
• Updating of My SQL Application for UnionAware database.
• Implementation of stringer MFA Passwords for website, app and union database (UnionAware).
• Develop and implement string change management procedures.
• Increased security monitoring functionality of the IT system.
For this work we recognise and acknowledge Diane Fry, SSTUWA office manager, and Oswald Mandel, SSTUWA senior IT systems administrator, for their leadership and diligence of the extensive project. The team of staff and external providers supporting and actioning this project work has been extensive. I thank and acknowledge these staff for their support.
This critical work has put in place the framework for the organisation’s IT controls management, ensuring current and future proofing and continuous review mechanisms.
In the June report it was advised that the office communications unit had been managing media interviews and promotions to ensure public education remained front and centre for politicians and the community, with the SSTUWA leading those discussions.
This alteration to internal media management was linked into changes to our external media service provider’s scope This has now been formalised with all initial media inquiries handled in-house. A more comprehensive media monitoring process is now underway.
The second consideration was to source campaigning expertise we require. We have commenced the process to create a panel of companies that would provide campaigns and crisis management support and expertise. The selected companies will work with the communications unit on specified campaign development and implementation.
The changes have been managed in a way that delivers considerable savings for members on an annual basis, with the union able to seek external support on a needs basis.
The Communications Team continues to look for innovative ways to share key messages with members via social media posts and eNews. The positive use of AI is also being developed.
eNews sends are developed for specific groups including schools, TAFE, leaders, new educators and even the Retired Teachers’ Association. The communications unit also works closely with the Growth Team and the Education and Training Centre. Open rates for eNews are regularly over 40 per cent – far higher than industry averages.
Western Teacher remains our flagship publication. Almost 12,000 people now subscribe to the online versions in addition to around 7,000 who get the print version. Each issues contains articles on issues including international events, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education, TAFE and national matters.
The unit endeavours to maintain extremely high standards of presentation across all materials. The application of an agreed design style guide as well as the consistent application of an agreed written style guide ensures the SSTUWA is seen as a first-class professional organisation. There is also a consistent effort to maintain those standards across events ranging from media conferences to State Council.
The Communications Team has also worked to ensure a balance between keeping members informed of strategic and campaign work and ensuring access to a wide range of benefits is widely understood.
Union Shopper provides a good example of this, along with the inclusion of a different member benefit in each eNews and inclusion of benefits in every Western Teacher.
1. That a senior officer report.
2. That the report be received.
3. That Ian Stringall, SSTUWA returning officer, report.
4. That the returning officer’s report be received.
5. That Ian Stringall be appointed as the SSTUWA returning officer for 2026.
6. That Graeme Repper be appointed as the SSTUWA deputy returning officer for 2026.
7. That the State Council formally acknowledges the commitment and contribution of all our SSTUWA staff in 2025.
This Governor Stirling SHS branch expresses its concern at the ongoing and frequent changes to Education Department IT policies. These changes are having a negative impact on both staff workload and student learning outcomes.
This Governor Stirling SHS Branch acknowledges the importance of digital security but believes the current approach by the Department’s IT division is placing unsustainable pressure on staff and undermining student learning and achievement.
This Governor Stirling SHS Branch calls on the SSTUWA to urgently raise these concerns with the Education Department and to advocate for solutions that protect teacher workload and ensure access to the tools required for effective teaching and learning.
Background:
Governor Stirling Senior High School Branch would like to note specifically:
• The requirement to repeatedly sign in multiple times a day wastes valuable teaching and preparation time.
• The automatic insertion of “official’ on documents alters formatting, creating additional work for staff ensuring formatting of documents behaves correctly.
• The recent blocking of Google tools, which has since been walked back, highlights the haphazard approach being taken. Units of work already underway were disrupted, leaving both staff and students unable to complete planned activities.
• Department-mandated computer updates frequently require full restarts, often multiple times per week. These interruptions reduce productivity and, if not carefully managed alongside Microsoft updates, directly impact teaching and lesson preparation.
• The department-mandated use of OneDrive has resulted in resources being deleted when deemed “inactive”, leaving entire directories emptied without warning. This removes teachers’ ability to reference past materials, undermines long-term planning, and discourages the use of officially supported platforms. Teachers have also lost resources purchased with their own money, adding a financial burden on top of workload pressures.
SSTUWA to approach DOE about securing discounted public transport for teachers.
The SSTUWA Bob Hawke College branch requests that the SSTUWA engage the Department of Education to expend this ‘Corporate SmartRider Card’ incentive to include public school staff.
Background:
The WA dept of Health initiated the ‘Metropolitan Access and Parking strategy’ to address car parking shortages at Perth metropolitan hospitals.
An outcome of this strategy was to offer staff at select hospitals access to a ‘Corporate SmartRider Card’ which provides a financial incentive for employees to use public transport to commute to and from their workplaces and home. Staff receive an 18.75% contribution to their travel expenses from the Metropolitan Access and Parking Department (MAPD), in addition to the 20% discount already provided by Transperth if they set up their SmartRider with ‘Autoload’.
Many primary and secondary schools in metropolitan Perth also suffer from staff parking shortages.
At Bob Hawke College staff do not have access to a parking day for three days of each week and must either take public transport or source paid private or public parking. Expanding access to the Corporate SmartRider Card’ to include school staff would have the following benefits:
• It would ensure limited parking is used by those with the greatest need by incentivising use of public transport.
• Form an additional incentive to attract potential employees to work in our Public Schools.
• Provide cost of living relief by reducing the cost of travel.
• Reduce dependency on motor vehicle transport and contribute to combatting climate change.
The SSTUWA Bob Hawke College branch requests that SSTUWA Executive engage the Department of Education to approach Local Government Authorities to support schools in accessing council parking permits. Councils can provide schools with a limited number of permits, depending on the need, to be held by school administrations and booked by staff in advance on a needs basis.
Background:
Many teachers utilise their motor vehicles to take excess and additional work home to be completed outside of the school day.
The Department of Education recognises this in the Award 1993 Clause 12.2 “while much of teachers’ work needs to be undertaken at school during official student instruction hours, the Parties acknowledge that a proportion of teachers’ work is undertaken outside the normal school day or normal operating hours, either at school or off-site”.
But multiple primary and secondary schools in metropolitan Perth suffer from staff parking shortages.
At Bob Hawke College staff do not have access to a parking bay for three days of each week and must either take public transport or source paid private or public parking. This can become an expensive undertaking for staff when they are fulfilling the needs of the job by taking work home. For example, one teacher at Bob Hawke College pays approximately $1,200 p.a. in parking fees (using Subiaco Council’s $10 a day parking ticket).
We requests that the following be added to the General Agreement 2026 log of claims for inclusion to General Agreement 2023 Clause 11. Teachers – Duties Other Than Teaching (DOTT) Time.
An additional weekly allocation of one hour of DOTT per class is provided to teachers delivering curriculum to a combined ATAR and Generalist class. This is to be timetabled weekly and used in accordance with General Agreement 2023 Clause 11.2.
Background:
When ATAR and General Classes are combined it creates an additional workload for staff who are required to run both subjects concurrently including; planning work units, day to day resources, separate assessment tasks, and reporting requirements. Staff must plan, assess and report for these classes, despite them being two separate syllabi, with only the usual allocation of DOTT. Staff are doing this despite the workload because they recognise the importance of offering specialist pathways at an ATAR and a General level for the students. Staff take on this extra workload because they do not want courses to be cut and because they care about the students. Further background testimonials below.
Background testimonial from a member:
This statement outlines the significant increase in workload and professional challenges I encounter when teaching combined Year 11 and 12 classes, which comprise both ATAR and General courses. The inherent differences between these syllabi necessitate distinct pedagogical approaches and significantly impact my preparation and delivery.
My concerns directly relate to the insufficient DOTT allocated to manage these complexities, as detailed below:
The syllabus, particularly in Year 12, is a demanding practical subject requiring extensive direct teacher input for SCSA practical assessment. In contrast, the General syllabus diverges significantly in content and assessment requirements. This often necessitates splitting the class to deliver disparate content, frequently requiring students to work independently. While independent learning is valuable, over the course of my career I've observed that a considerable number of General students, and some ATAR students, haven't consistently demonstrated the capacity for effective self-directed learning. This increases the demand for my direct oversight and intervention. This constant differentiation requires the creation and management of two distinct learning pathways within a single classroom, effectively doubling the instructional complexity within the same DOTT allocation.
General course students often present with a wider range of learning needs and frequently require additional support, attention, and differentiated resources. Smaller class sizes are demonstrably more beneficial for these students, allowing for more individualised instruction and closer teacherstudent interaction. However, this is simply not afforded within the combined class structure. Building positive and supportive teacher-student relationships, crucial for the success of these students, also demands significant dedicated time. The combined class structure inherently limits my capacity for such individualised attention and relationship building due to the competing demands of two distinct courses, all while operating within a DOTT allocation designed for a single course. This directly compromises my ability to provide the focused support essential for these students.
Both ATAR and General courses necessitate targeted and dedicated revision and preparation for their respective assessments (e.g. ATAR examinations and General ESTs). Delivering this crucial preparation within a combined classroom significantly reduces the direct contact time I can dedicate to each specific group. This dilution of focused preparation time may compromise student performance in these high-stakes assessments, and the time required for this dual preparation significantly increases the demands on my existing DOTT.
The combined class model fundamentally increases my workload, placing immense pressure on my DOTT. For each Year 11 and 12 combined class, I'm required to:
Develop and prepare two separate sets of assessment outlines and course outlines.
Design and create two distinct sets of assessment tasks.
For many theory modules, create two completely separate sets of theory lessons and supplementary resources.
Develop revision resources for both ATAR examinations and General ESTs.
Continuously align and manage two distinct syllabi to be taught concurrently within the same timeframe.
All this extensive planning, development, and resource creation is currently expected to be completed within the DOTT allocation that would typically be provided for a single course.
Additionally, I manage the purchasing, maintenance, and student borrowing processes for the physical resources required for the practical components of the courses during my DOTT. This discrepancy represents a significant increase in workload, directly impacting my professional and personal wellbeing. The consistent pressure to meet the demands of two distinct curricula with the resources allocated for one is leading to increased stress and a diminished capacity for effective long-term planning and innovation.
Ideally, these courses should be delivered in separate classes to optimise student learning outcomes and ensure equitable access to teacher support tailored to specific syllabus demands. If it's not possible to separate the ATAR and General cohorts into distinct courses, then additional DOTT allocation is critical to address the significant workload issues and pedagogical challenges outlined above. The current allocation of DOTT time is insufficient to adequately manage the complexities and demands of teaching combined ATAR and General Year 11 and 12 classes. The increased workload directly impacts my ability to provide optimal educational experiences for students and negatively affects my own wellbeing. To ensure that all students receive the quality education they deserve and to maintain teacher sustainability, I strongly advocate for an allocation of additional DOTT time commensurate with the increased workload associated with these combined courses.
I am writing to formally raise concerns regarding the additional workload involved in delivering both ATAR and General courses within a single class setting.
As you are aware, these two courses are distinct in their structure, content requirements, assessment standards, and student pathways. While they may share some thematic or practical elements, the differentiation in learning outcomes, assessment types, and academic expectations requires significant additional preparation and planning. This includes:
Developing separate teaching and learning programs that meet both ATAR and General syllabus outcomes
Designing and administering differentiated assessments and marking keys
Providing individualised feedback aligned with each course’s standards and grade descriptors
Managing varying levels of theoretical complexity and practical skill development simultaneously
Currently, I am allocated a single DOTT period for planning and preparation. However, the demands of teaching two separate senior secondary courses within the same class effectively double the planning and administrative workload. This creates a pressure point that can impact both the quality of teaching and student learning outcomes.
I respectfully request that the Department of Education consider this situation as an extraordinary workload that warrants additional planning time or resourcing, consistent with efforts to support teacher wellbeing and uphold curriculum delivery standards.
Background Testimonial from a Member
I would like to begin this by emphasising the importance of running both of these courses, especially the ATAR courses and being able to offer these opportunities for our students. And we would not want one of these courses to be cancelled as a result of this. In my classroom I am constantly teaching two courses at the same time. Every resource I make, has two versions and my lessons sounds a lot like: “If you’re in ATAR, you are looking at this, If you are General you should be focusing on this.” “This next section is for students in General” “This is an ATAR only question” etc
Every assessment, has two versions. Each marking key, two versions. The courses are very different courses and it has meant that I have to spend time crafting two course outlines that cover two different curriculums with different foci to line up. If one course has a written assessment, the other course needs to have one on the same day to ensure I can supervise the ATAR tests. These means that the general course which should be 70% practical and 30% written, ends up having many more written tasks than needed to ensure I can maintain this with the course that is 50% practical 50% written. In the lead up to the exam period, I have students working on EST/Exams – these cover completely different content and questions. Covering completely different practitioners and needing individualised programs.
Bob Hawke College Branch
Overview
This report includes data and commentary on the following:
• Number and type of cases on hand, cases opened and closed during the year and prioryear comparisons.
• Industrial Relations Commission and court cases.
• Significant industrial issues and related matters.
• Services from external legal services providers.
As of 30 September 2025:
• The Legal Services Team was dealing with 95 open cases (29 fewer than this time last year).
• Case managers, who deal mainly with performance management and fitness for work issues, had 56 open cases (17 fewer than this time last year).
• Advocates, who deal mainly with disciplinary matters, unfair dismissals and breaches of industrial instruments, had 39 open cases (12 fewer than last year).
In the year ended 30 September 2025:
• There were 165 new cases (compared to 235 in the year ended 30 September 2024).
• The legal services team closed 193 cases (compared to 221 in the year ended 30 September 2024).
New cases during the 12 months ending 30 September 2025, compared with the year ending 30 September 2024
Most current cases involve disciplinary and teacher registration matters, followed by fitness for work and performance management cases.
Year-on-year comparison: Open cases as of 30 September 2025, compared with 30 September 2024
Relations Commission and court cases
The following cases were initiated, completed or in progress between the time this report was prepared and the last State Council report.
APPL 46/2025 - Application to vary the Teachers (Public Sector Primary and Secondary Education) Award 1993
During the last round of bargaining, it was agreed that the Teachers’ Award would be updated to include the standard public sector provisions for parental leave. However, when this was done, a mistake in the standard wording was copied into the Award.
The error changed the meaning of the clause about when a teacher who returns to work on modified duties after parental leave can be required to return to their previous hours and duties. The clause should have said this could happen once the child reaches school age. Instead, it was incorrectly worded to suggest it could happen before the child reached school age.
Once the error was identified, the SSTUWA quickly sought and received an assurance from the Department of Education that the Award would be applied correctly, that is, ignoring the incorrect wording. The department then applied to formally correct the Award. That application has been approved, and we expect the variation to be made official in early October, although the exact timing is up to the WAIRC.
The union approved legal assistance to cover the legal costs of a member who has filed an unfair dismissal claim. The individual member, rather than the union, is the applicant. The matter was not resolved at the conciliation stage, and a hearing is scheduled for 13-17 October 2025.
Since 2023, the Department of Education has been required to report allegations of certain conduct to the Ombudsman (reportable conduct).8 Reportable conduct includes sexual offences, sexual misconduct, physical assault, other prescribed offences, significant neglect of a child, and any behaviour that causes significant emotional or psychological harm to a child.
The SSTUWA is concerned that the reporting threshold has been set too low due to a misinterpretation of the legislation. As a result, the department has been reporting many minor allegations that do not appear to involve a risk to child safety. This causes unnecessary stress to the members involved and arguably diverts resources away from cases that should be investigated more thoroughly.
After considering legal advice, SSTUWA decided to pursue a test case to review the reporting threshold. The union has engaged Slater and Gordon to lodge a formal complaint with the Ombudsman about a referral in a case where a report was made that did not appear warranted in light of the legislative requirements.
The complaint was lodged with the Ombudsman on 12 September. If the complaint is not upheld, SSTUWA will consider seeking a review by the State Administrative Tribunal, which could lead to a ruling that clarifies the reporting requirements.
A meeting held on 6 June 2025 with Department of Education representatives successfully resolved some key issues concerning long service leave calculations, including the treatment of breaks in service and the application of casual loading.
The focus now is on ensuring that all members’ entitlements are processed without unnecessary delay. While the department has allocated additional staff to reduce the backlog, the SSTUWA continues to press for a speedier finalisation of calculations.
Importantly, the department has agreed to continue prioritising individual cases referred by the union where members face financial hardship. The SSTUWA will continue to raise such cases to ensure urgent access to entitlements for those most in need.
The union has also been working with TAFE colleges to resolve long service leave issues affecting TAFE members. As with the Department of Education, we are seeking an overall resolution of all outstanding entitlements while prioritising urgent cases where members are facing hardship.
Under Western Australian legislation, altering union rules is an exacting and highly technical process. Even minor procedural errors can result in the Industrial Registrar rejecting a proposed rule change. Meeting these detailed requirements has always been time-consuming and resource-intensive, often involving multiple exchanges with Registry staff before an application can proceed. In the past, the union necessarily engaged external lawyers to undertake this work, reflecting the complexity and precision required.
8 The reportable conduct scheme is contained in Division 3B of the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1971 (WA).
The SSTUWA’s leadership has since decided to bring the process in-house to reduce costs arising from the stringent technical requirements and build internal capability. The transition has been guided by the experience and expertise of former union president Pat Byrne, whose knowledge of union governance has been invaluable. Working with her, the Legal Services Team has taken on the drafting and coordination of applications, liaising directly with Registry staff to ensure compliance with procedural requirements.
Through this approach, the team has developed documented processes to support senior officers and Executive members, ensuring applications are accurate and efficient. This investment in in-house capability not only provides long-term cost savings but also strengthens the union’s ability to manage its own rule changes effectively in future.
The SSTUWA maintains a retainer agreement with Slater and Gordon while engaging other legal services providers for specific work. Engagement with several providers increases the depth and sustainability of the legal services program, enabling us to maximise value for members and engage the most appropriate provider for a particular task.
Over the last 12 months, the following firms have provided legal services to SSTUWA members.
Firm Services provided
Cory Fogliani Employment law
Eureka Lawyers Employment law
Family law
Wills and probate
Personal injury (other than workers’ compensation)
Slater and Gordon Advice to the union, including commercial law matters
Employment law
Professional registration matters
Workers’ compensation
Personal injury
Tehan Legal
Criminal law
Restraining orders
Member Assist referred 121 workers’ compensation matters to Slater and Gordon in the year ended 30 September 2025, compared to 114 in the previous 12-month period.
Workers’ compensation matters referred by month
Eureka Lawyers draft a simple will for SSTUWA members, where such a will is appropriate, at a fixed fee of $200, not including GST. The union pays the fee directly, so there is no charge to the member. Where a more complex will is required, Eureka Lawyers offers a substantially reduced hourly rate, and the union covers the first $200 of the member’s costs. The service is also available for retired teacher members.
In the year to 30 September 2025, Eureka Lawyers drafted wills for 194 members, compared to 214 in the previous 12-month period.
Recommendations:
1. That a senior officer report.
2. That the report be received.
Since the June State Council Conference the following items have commenced, or soon-to-be implemented from the 45 in total items won by the SSTUWA membership in this enterprise bargaining agreement (EBA):
• Professional Learning Advisory Group.
• School leader performance management for heads of department (HODs), heads of learning areas (HOLAs) and level three program coordinators.
• Small group tuition.
• Complex behaviour support coordinators.
• Newly appointed chairperson for the Workload Intensification Taskforce, Professor Colleen Hayward.
• Level 3.3 Classroom Teacher trial.
• Part-time principals.
• Advanced Skills School Psychologist Working Group.
This EBA win for members will provide reassurance to members that clause 59 of the General Agreement, relating to professional learning, will be met by the employer through the oversight of this advisory group. Since meeting in Term 3 2025 the DoE has agreed to:
• Review the leadership strategy currently underway via the Professional Learning Institute (PLI).
• Review the Pro-Learn criteria and categories and for this to be shared and reviewed against the current needs of the system, including the role of private providers to our schools.
• GA 59.8 (a -i): DoE to audit its professional learning services and feedback as a basis for future decision making of the advisory group.
• Discuss and implement changes that will ensure greater equity of access for regional staff.
• Discuss a system-wide definition of “evidence-based”. (There is a shared concern this term is often misapplied by private providers and some school leadership direction.)
• Request the PLI identify what is and what is not fit for purpose from its current schedule.
• The SSTUWA raised concerns and received support regarding how properly the PLI is to meet the needs of school-based teaching and leading staff and recommend this be a point of review for the DoE to consider in future budgetary planning.
School leader performance management for HODs, HOLAs and level three program coordinators
This EBA matter was attended to by a working group compromising of SSTUWA and PFWA nominated members. The working group consequently agreed to a consistent template and recommended this to the EREC committee for final endorsement. It is a DoE responsibility to communicate and implement this agreement with fidelity. SSTUWA senior officers and industrial organisers will monitor and resolve issues that may arise if required.
Both items were proposed by government as an alternative to reduced class sizes, with the current government holding firm on the position there must be cheaper and just as effective ways to reduce teacher workload other than just reduce the maximum class sizes or numbers of students a teacher
is responsible for. SGT correspondence and training across the 192 schools began in Term 3. This has received a varied response from school leader members charged with the responsibility of the sitebased implementation to teachers appointed to the role of tutor who generally appreciated the support but were unclear how their overall workload was going to be reduced. CBSCs began in the same period with original trial schools invited to continue until the conclusion of the agreement.
An external contract to review the workload reduction of both items was won by Deloitte who will be assessing based upon the following criteria:
• CBSCs:
○ Reduce the workload of teachers and school leaders by developing and implementing interventions that diminish negative behaviour and provide clarity regarding support and interventions.
○ Reduce the burden on teachers and school leaders to find solutions for students with complex needs.
• SGT:
○ Leads to a reduction in classroom teacher workload, specifically in reducing the:
• Need to develop and deliver targeted interventions for identified students.
• Complexity of student literacy and or numeracy support needs in their classrooms.
Documented plan guidelines, which were not a requirement arising from negotiations, but a choice DoE opted to develop in their view to support the EBA item, was released to schools in Week 9 of Term 3. The SSTUWA was consulted upon their content. The release of these materials closes this EBA item; we will now monitor how the changes are impacting in relation to workload and specifically how the new requirements are interpreted at the school level.
The final phase of EBA implementation is now underway:
• Deputy principal performance management template.
• Superannuation on unpaid parental leave.
• Advanced skills school psychologist working group.
• Principal Performance Review Workload working group.
• TOIL for school psychologists.
• SSEN relief pool.
• Staff placement – merit selection process whereby parties to further discuss merit selection and the impact of perceptions and assumptions about skill sets of applicants from regional areas through EREC.
Recommendations:
1. That a senior officer report.
2. That the report be received.
That the BCC branch notes that a previous motion included in the 2021 Log of Claims advocating for an allowance for all staff who purchase their own work laptop, has been removed from the current log. We believe that a personal computer is a tool of our trade. It is necessary for the school’s core operations and its core functions eg. attendance and reporting. We ask that it be reinstated into the 2025 Log of Claims.
Background:
The Education Department offers a ‘Notebook for Teachers’ scheme which provides a subsidised leasing option at a cost for teachers. However, teachers who choose not to lease through the Department miss out entirely.
We further believe that this is an equity issue as some schools are able to provide laptops to their staff but not all schools are in a position to do this. The Victorian AEU has set a precedent with a successful legal challenge to a similar Notebooks for Teachers program in Victoria in 2016. Essentially, our employer should be providing us with the hardware required to do the job.
That the Belmont City College Branch notes that teachers transferring from interstate or nongovernment education sectors, have their commencing salary scale increment date determined by a fixed formula. The formula is based on a set number of completed working days within a calendar year. If the employee doesn’t complete the minimum number, the days worked in that year aren’t accredited as prior service for salary increments.
This branch believes that the rigid nature of the formula financially disadvantages teachers who transfer from other education sectors or states.
It also believes that it is an equity issue as transferring teachers may be paid less than their colleagues. We ask the log of claims committee to progress this motion in developing the draft log of claims 2026.
Background:
A BCC colleague who returned from NSW during the Covid pandemic was informed by the Department their prior service of three and half terms wouldn’t be recognised for salary increments, as they didn’t complete the minimum number of days.
That in the interest of fairness and equity, part time staff be required to attend staff meetings, on their workday, in accordance with their fraction of employment: 0.2 FTE = 1 staff meeting per term, 0.4 FTE = 2 staff meetings per term, 0.6 FTE = 3 staff meetings per term, 0.8 FTE = 4 staff meetings per term.
This motion seeks to ensure that part time employees are not expected to participate in staff meetings beyond what is reasonable and is proportionate to their contracted hours.
Background:
Part time staff have asked for equity in staff meetings as a workload issues.
That this branch requests the SSTUWA advocate to the Department of Education for the establishment of a travel allowance for relief and casual teachers travelling to rural schools outside major regional hubs, in line with existing public sector travel provisions.
Background:
Dongara District High School, like many rural schools, is facing increased pressure from the current teacher shortage. In the absence of available relief staff, internal cover is regularly required—adding to teacher workload and impacting teaching and learning continuity.
Relief and casual teachers based in regional centres such as Geraldton may be willing to work in schools like Dongara DHS, but the cost and inconvenience of travel can be a barrier. A travel allowance aligned with public sector standards would serve as an incentive, helping to attract much-needed relief staff to rural locations. This would ease the pressure on current teaching staff and improve overall workforce sustainability in regional areas.
This branch requests that the SSTUWA submit the following to the Log of Claims committee for consideration in 2026:
Teachers working in Education Support settings be allocated 320 minutes of Duties Other Than Teaching (DOTT) per week.
Background:
Primary School Teachers who work with Special Needs students in Education Support Schools and Centres face unique and demanding challenges that necessitate additional time for planning, preparation, and professional development. Currently, these teachers receive 270 minutes of DOTT per week, while their counterparts in Secondary, Pre-Primary, and Kindergarten settings receive 320 minutes per week. Here are several key reasons why these changes are necessary:
1. Increased Planning and Preparation Time:
• Special Needs students often require individualised education plans (IEPs) and tailored instructional strategies. Developing and implementing these plans demands significant time and effort beyond regular classroom duties.
• Teachers need to collaborate with specialists, therapists, and parents to create effective learning environments, which requires additional coordination and communication.
2. Professional Development and Training:
• Staying updated with the latest teaching methods, technologies, and interventions for Special Needs education is crucial. More DOTT allows teachers to engage in continuous professional development, ensuring they can provide the best possible support to their students.
• Attending workshops, seminars, and training sessions often takes place during DOTT, making it essential for teachers to have adequate time allocated for these activities .
3. Administrative and Documentation Responsibilities:
• Special Needs education involves extensive documentation, including progress reports, behaviour plans, and communication logs. These administrative tasks are time-consuming and require meticulous attention to detail.
• Ensuring compliance with legal and educational standards for Special Needs students adds to the workload, necessitating more time for accurate and thorough documentation.
4. Emotional and Behavioural Support:
• Special Needs students may exhibit a range of emotional and behavioural challenges that require teachers to implement specific support strategies. Managing these needs effectively requires careful planning and reflection.
• Teachers often need to debrief and strategize with colleagues and support staff to address ongoing behavioural issues, which is facilitated by having sufficient DOTT.
5. Equity and Fairness:
• Providing equal DOTT to Primary School Teachers with Special Needs students acknowledges the complexity and intensity of their roles. It ensures that all educators, regardless of the age group they teach, have the necessary time to fulfill their professional responsibilities effectively.
• Equity in DOTT allocation promotes a supportive work environment, reducing burnout and enhancing job satisfaction among teachers who dedicate themselves to Special Needs education.
This branch requests that the SSTUWA submit the following to the Log of Claims Committee for consideration in 2026:
“Teachers in Education Support Centres, Schools and Teachers who teach eligible students with disabilities in Department endorsed support programs” is removed from Band 2 of Schedule C and a new Band 5 ($3,036) created.
Background:
Education support teachers play a crucial role in the educational system, providing essential services to students with diverse needs. Despite their significant contributions, the Special Responsibility allowance for these teachers has remained stagnant at $1213 per year since 2007. Increasing the allowance for education support teachers is not only justified but necessary. It addresses the impacts of inflation, acknowledges the increased workload, aids in recruitment and retention, and upholds professional respect. By updating this allowance, we can ensure that education support teachers are fairly compensated for their invaluable contributions. Here are several key reasons why these changes are necessary:
Since 2007, the cost of living has increased substantially. Inflation has eroded the purchasing power of the $1213 allowance, making it insufficient to attract and retain education support teachers.
Creating a new band with a higher allowance for Teachers in Education Support settings is necessary to ensure that they are adequately compensated for their extra responsibilities.
The responsibilities of education support teachers have expanded over the years. They are now required to handle more complex student needs, increased class sizes, integrate new technologies into their teaching, and comply with updated educational standards and policies. This increased workload warrants a corresponding increase in their allowance.
Competitive compensation is crucial for attracting and retaining qualified education support teachers. The current allowance does not reflect the value of their work, leading to dissatisfaction and high turnover rates. Increasing the allowance and moving Education Support Teachers up to a new or higher band would help retain experienced teachers and attract new talent to Education Support. The $5,000 retention bonus in 2023 was a significant factor for teachers within the sector feeling that their contributions were valued, ultimately encouraging them to remain in the profession.
Providing a fair and updated allowance is a matter of professional respect. Education support teachers deserve recognition for their specialisation, hard work and dedication. An increased allowance would signal that their contributions are valued and respected by the education department.
Other allowance, such as the remote and graduate, have seen adjustments in their compensation to reflect changes in workload and economic conditions. Education support teachers should not be an exception.
Aligning their allowance with current standards would ensure equity and fairness across professions. Other states have also demonstrated it is possible to increase this allowance over time.
ACT Example
NSW Example
The SSTUWA in the 2026 Log of Claims seeks to increase the amount of long service leave that can be rolled over until the next entitlements of long service from 5 to 20 days.
Background:
As it stands, teachers must take long service leave within 2 years of receiving them. Only 5 days can be withheld until the next LSL entitlements are due. The idea behind changing to 20 days (approximately 4 weeks) will provide further flexibility for teachers to attend events bucket list items outside of that 2 year range. This will further help with retaining experienced teachers and allow them the opportunity to have greater work/life balance.
That the SSTUWA include in the 2026 Log of Claims an increase to the partner leave entitlement to 6 weeks of partner leave.
This would bring the Award 1993 in line with the Public Sector CSA Agreement 2024.
The new clause would read Award 1993 Clause 39(28)(a) “An eligible employee is entitled to 6 weeks of partner leave”.
Background:
As it stands, partners only have 5 days once the baby is born. In today’s climate this seems inadequate, and change is already happening in other departments and businesses.
A prime example being the leave available in the mining industry where both parents are sometimes given 18 weeks’ leave for the birth of a new child.
It would be beneficial to most members if partners could receive more time to help support the new mother and have quality time with their new family member, in addition to, being a further attraction and retention measure.
That the SSTUWA in the Log of Claims 2026 adds to the General Agreement Clause 12.6 Class Sizes a requirement to factor in the physical class environment when planning class sizes, as well as student behavior and learning needs.
For example,
"12.6 When planning class sizes, each school must manage its class sizes within its own schoolbased resources factoring in student behavior, educational and physical needs, and built learning environments that are:
• Comfortable, stimulating and support learning
• Have appropriate levels of natural lighting with treatments to manage glare where required
• Enable in-class wayfinding and a clear access to exits
• Utilise space and furniture that is engaging, comfortable and adaptable to different pedagogical strategies and improvised uses.
• Provide appropriate acoustic treatments to:
(i) enable speech clarity and facilitate student focus in learning areas
(ii) minimise acoustic transfer between learning areas
(iii) ensure privacy of offices
Background:
Schools are not the same, even within the same school environment. Classrooms vary in size, age and functionality. For instance, at Gibbs Street PS Area 16 is far bigger and spacious than Area 17 or 18. Area 17 and 18 share a common exit door which is situated in Area 18. The rooms are small and squeezing a full class group into these classrooms ensures a room which is cramped and very difficult to navigate as both student and staff, particularly when the classroom is at 32 student capacity. This creates all kind of issues from inadequate teaching space to worksafe issues such as a class leaving the room in an emergency to even just trying to squeeze past peers and staff.
The Harrisdale Branch of the SSTUWA wishes to include in the 2026 Log of Claims an increase to DOTT provision for teachers as follows:
Kindy/Pre-primary/Secondary
Background:
Effective planning time is non-negotiable for teachers especially as their responsibilities continue to expand well beyond classroom instruction.
The 2023 SSTUWA State of Our Schools survey reveals that approximately 32 % of WA teachers work more than 40 hours weekly, over 30 % exceed 50 hours, and around 10.5 % push past 60 hours. The OECD repeatedly underscores that Australian teachers face higher workloads, greater administrative duties, and fewer resources than most of their OECD peers.
All this chips away at planning time, making it even more precious and pushing more and more work to be completed outside of hours.
This workload severely limits the capacity to differentiate instruction, engage with parents, manage administrative tasks, and interpret student data effectively.
While reducing non-teaching tasks is desirable, the reality is that the gutting of centralised services under Independent Public Schools (IPS) reforms and the broader retreat from quality public service provision has embedded a cultural problem that will take decades to undo. The damage has already been done, and it cannot be easily reversed by simply “cutting back” tasks. Governments are also highly unlikely to risk antagonising parents by moderating their expectations for communication and engagement, meaning these demands on teachers will only persist. At the same time, evolutions in both the diagnosis of, and access to diagnosis for, student needs have dramatically increased-and will only continue to grow-yet planning time allocations have never been recalibrated to reflect this reality.
Without protected planning time, the vital components of planning and differentiation, that form the basis of quality teaching, must compete-and often lose-against escalating demands, undermining teacher wellbeing and, ultimately, student outcomes.
The SSTUWA Harrisdale Branch of the SSTUWA wishes to include in the 2026 Log of Claims an increase to the number of School Development Days from six to ten, four of which are reserved for teacher directed planning where allstaff are free and available to collaborate.
Background:
Collaborative planning time is essential in ensuring consistent, high-quality teaching and learning across Western Australian schools. Teachers need dedicated time to develop common curriculum programs that align with the Australian Curriculum, ensuring equity of access and reducing duplication of effort across classrooms.
School-level policy tasks, professional learning and department-mandated administration and compliance tasks now consume a growing share of the school development days, directly eroding the time available for lesson preparation and collaboration.
As the SSTUWA State of Our Schools survey shows this administrative creep has become systemic, forcing teachers to complete essential curriculum, assessment, and moderation work after hours rather than within the school day.
Members of the Greenwood College SSTUWA branch call on the Department of Education to amend Clause 38 (5) and Clause 38 (6) to the following:
38 (4) An application for long service leave, using an authorised application form, must be made no later than seven (7) years for any long service leave accrued.
38 (5) The Employer may, on application by the employee made within seven (7) years for any long service leave accrued, approve of the employee postponing the taking of that entitlement until the employee becomes entitled to take long service leave over one (1) semester.
Greenwood College SSTUWA call on the Department to change their policy on the time constraint of taking long service leave, which is currently two (2) years from its availability, to between the dates of instalment of each long service leave allocations.
Background:
The current policy surrounding long service leave time constraints create challenges for teachers, impacting their families and the school. At present, teachers are required to apply for long service leave within two years of becoming eligible. This limited window makes it difficult for teachers to coordinate their leave with family commitments and places undue pressure on them to take leave at inconvenient times. The ability to align long service leave with significant family events is particularly affected by these restrictions. Long service leave is intended to acknowledge continued service within the Department and to offer a chance for rest and rejuvenation; however, the existing guidelines reduce its intended benefit by restricting flexibility for both teachers and schools.
Session 4
12.45pm – 4pm
12.45pm – 1pm Re-registration
1pm – 4pm
State Council reports
SC.27
SC.28
SC.29
SC.30
SC.31
SC.32
SC.33
SC.34
SC.35
SC.36
SC.37
SC.38
SC.39
TAFE report
General Agreement TAFE 2023 report
Facing the Facts report
Women's report
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander report, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Scholarship report
Motion from Palmyra Primary School Branch
Motion from Palmyra Primary School Branch
Motion from Palmyra Primary School Branch
Motion from Bannister Creek Primary School Branch
Motion from Bannister Creek Primary School Branch
Motion from Bannister Creek Primary School Branch
Country matters report
Education and Training Centre report
AEU WA Branch Council agenda
AEUBC01/25
AEUBC02/25
AEU WA Branch Council report
Decisions from the SSTUWA November 2025 State Council
State matters
General issues
In addition to implementing new initiatives resulting from the 2023 General Agreement, the major issues addressed with TAFE members and delegates included, among others:
• Permanency claims and appeals, workload management.
• Long service leave for lecturers with casual service.
• Annual leave management.
• Averaging agreements.
• Inappropriate managerial behaviour.
• Class sizes.
• Cuts to student curriculum hours.
• Overtime payments.
• Timetabling.
• Annual leave travel concessions.
• Hours of work.
• Hours for online delivery.
Workload
Work Intensification Survey
The union has continued to promote the results of the Work Intensification Survey directly to members through the branch structures and with the five colleges through the JCCs. Colleges are beginning to make changes to address some of the concerns. JCC delegates have been focused on finding practical solutions to a range of workload matters. Some colleges have indicated that artificial intelligence (AI) will be part of the solution and some AI initiatives are being trialled.
Staffing issues and increasing student numbers
Colleges are having trouble recruiting and retaining lecturers and current staffrooms are crammed. Increasing student numbers is leading to further concerns around workload and lecturer wellbeing. Colleges have returned to cutting student curriculum hours and increasing class sizes (face-to-face and online) to accommodate more students – leading to greater workload. Lecturers have been pushing back against these cuts to hours and increases to class sizes.
Block teaching
Delegates at two colleges have raised concerns for the wellbeing of lecturers teaching back-to-back block weeks. Block teaching is when apprentices are pulled off the job and attend TAFE for an entire week, or in some cases for a two-week period. This means lecturers are teaching 35 – 40 hours on those block weeks. Given the lack of lecturers, in many areas this means lecturers are teaching blocks every week of the semester. Whilst they may be getting overtime payments for this additional teaching, the impact on health and wellbeing is growing. Members are also concerned about their capacity to exercise duty of care in workshops when teaching such long hours each week and with growing student behaviour issues.
Recent changes to the Registered Training Organisation (RTO) standards may result in changes to KADs. In August the union formally wrote to all colleges requesting details of any proposed changes and reminding them of their obligation to consult with the union. Colleges appear to be reviewing their plans as a consequence and we are hopeful that there may be few if any changes made to current documentation. Any changes to KADs, even minor changes, result in a significant workload increase for lecturers. The changes also increase the workload of academic leaders. Of note is that prior to the release of the new standards, lecturers were already reporting increased workload in relation to current KADs, for example:
• 64.75 per cent indicated the time they spend on TACMs had increased.
• 57.46 per cent indicated the time they spend on delivery and assessment schedule had increased.
• 65.08 per cent indicated the time they spend on assessment tools had increased.
(Data taken from the SSTUWA TAFE Work Intensification Survey 2024.)
The survey results overall indicated that lecturers feel they have less time to prepare to actually deliver to students as a result of a number of factors, including workload associated with KADs.
Each TAFE college has a JCC where the union, delegates and management meet to resolve issues, discuss government policy that impacts TAFE and any other matters the delegates wish to raise. Since the last State Council Conference, key issues addressed through the JCCs have been:
Industrial matters – implementation of Agreement initiatives, permanency reviews, leave processes and policies, averaging, family violence leave, permanency for HOPs, lack of consultation, ALTC, Advanced Industry Lecturer (AIL) delays, travel policies, salary packaging, academic calendar issues with leave days and Easter Tuesday, return to industry program, consultation during timetabling.
Workload – unpacking the results of the SSTUWA Work Intensification Survey and exploring solutions, use of unit development money to reduce workload, using AI and current AI initiatives, assessment feedback expectations, result tracking, enrolment issues, credit transfers, contact during off campus ARD time, changes to the standards for RTOs and workload implications.
Facilities and support – overcrowding of classrooms, laboratories and workshops, lack of teaching facilities, aging plant, equipment and teaching resources, printing costs, campus lockdown procedures, changes to security processes for classrooms and staff rooms, welding PPE, new facilities for capstone assessments.
ICT – IT fault prioritization, BYOD concerns, CELCAT and SMS issues, recording of SfS data.
Wellbeing – staff wellbeing strategies, mental health officers, men’s health week.
Student support – lack of student facilities including toilets, support for students with complex needs, behaviour management, AI and plagiarism.
New lecturers – onboarding, induction and mentoring programs, support for completing the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.
Organisational – delays in the awarding of the AMEP contracts, realignments and changes to programming and campus delivery.
South Metropolitan TAFE issues – SMTAFE is a significant, multi-site college given its course offerings and staffing levels. Unfortunately, there are ongoing member matters with the college that have been unable to be fully resolved at the JCC level. These include a lack of genuine consultation or negotiation to discuss changes at the worksite that impact members, forcing members to take leave including LSL and a range of work health and safety related concerns. Some of the strategies used by the union have
led to improvements, for example in notification of change and consultation processes, and there will be a continued focus on this college in coming months.
STERC is a consultative body that deals with system wide issues. It has representatives from all five employers, the Department of Training and Workforce Development (DTWD) and the union. There is a renewed focus on the work of STERC this year given the union is not in bargaining and that each forum will be used to achieve outcomes as part of our winning outside of bargaining campaign.
STERC has been discussing the implementation of the 2023 Agreement and other negotiated outcomes for example, accessing new leave types; development of the student behaviour framework; implementing the teaching qualification pilot program; appointing Advanced Industry Lecturer (AIL) and Advanced Skills Lecturers (ASL) classifications and the first aid allowance.
STERC has also been examining the implementation of the National Skills Agreement (NSA) and the progress of the review of the WA funding model. With major STERC policies reviewed and finalised last year the only one currently being worked on is the Approved Qualifications Policy.
Other issues dealt with by STERC include – implementation of the new National Standards for RTOs, including examination of any potential changes to work practices or increases to workload; changes to the Academic Quality System (AQS) as a result of the new standards; discussion of implications of AI and its connection to productivity; gender economic equality research from Jobs and Skills Australia and its implications for TAFE, tertiary harmonisation, VET workforce blueprint and the National TAFE Network.
The sector is currently reviewing the funding model. Project timelines have been extended to allow for detailed analysis and college consultation. DTWD has been working with colleges to refine model inputs based on current training delivery. The additional time in 2025–2026 will be used for model testing. Implementation is targeted for the 2027 training year.
The union’s current understanding of the funding model review is that it will not address some of the major funding issues facing colleges including that the current funding model does not fully fund general salaries or academic leadership positions. This has resulted in colleges making up that money by increasing class sizes and cutting the student curriculum hours available to teach each unit of a qualification.
In the last 12 months TAFE membership has remained stable despite retirement and members leaving employment to return to industry. Branch delegates will continue to use key points in our winning outside of bargaining campaign to promote membership.
The WA state government has recently increased its advertising for TAFE courses and is using feefree courses as part of their advertising lure. The You can make it here campaign was launched on 13 October 2025, and states, “this campaign recognises the vital role of fee-free and low-fee TAFE in delivering a skilled workforce and achieving the government’s priorities of jobs, health and housing. It coincides with the end of the school year, when many young people are considering study options for 2026”.
In 2024 approximately 164,000 publicly funded enrolments included approximately 100,000 in feefree and low-fee courses. Through various forums the SSTUWA continues to advocate for TAFE to consider the impact of large classes on lecturers as well as the need for improvements to the teaching environment, such as materials, equipment, plant and purpose-built infrastructure. Facilities for students are also lacking. Members are telling us TAFE campuses throughout the state are already at capacity.
The federal government continues to promote fee-free TAFE and implement the National Skills Agreement. There has been increased focus on the Tertiary Harmonisation Roadmap, the VET workforce blueprint and the national TAFE Network (NTN). The government is also increasing its focus on improving Australia’s productivity rates and the role that TAFE can play. AI continues to dominate discussions on improving productivity.
Released in October 2024 the VET Workforce Blueprint was developed with states and territories to support the VET workforce. The blueprint aims to increase the number of people able to work in the sector, retain and support those currently working and collect data. A key goal is to ensure the sector remains responsive to the needs of the economy.
Actions underway include occupational mapping, workforce data strategy, research on key workforce issues and reducing compliance and administrative burden. States can access additional funding under the National Skills Agreement to implement the blueprint. WA’s draft implementation plan is with the Commonwealth for review.
The blueprint has implications for members in many areas, for example, access to professional development, workload and teaching resource development. It is not clear if this initiative will make a positive impact in WA and further detail is needed.
The Commonwealth and states were to establish a National TAFE Network under the National Skills Agreement. NTN was to support curriculum development, workforce practice and innovation. We understand that WA is still negotiating its participation in the NTN. While this initiative may help reduce workload for lecturers; a lack of progress and little detail makes any analysis difficult.
This competition was conceived just three years ago to help highlight the national asset that is TAFE and to help promote matters that impact TAFE across the country. For the second year in a row the competition was won by a Western Australian entry. The incredible winning image was shared with all members of the WA branch in the October edition of Western Teacher as well as framed on the ground floor of the SSTUWA building. Congratulations to our TAFE team helping to circulate this promotion and to Valerie Walker at South Metro TAFE who create the award-winning image.
1. That the chair of TAFE Committee report.
2. That the report be received.
The TAFE General Agreement is being implemented directly with each of the five TAFE colleges, through each of the Joint Consultative Committees (JCCs), and the SSTUWA TAFE Employee Relations Committee (STERC) which includes representatives from all five college employers and the Department of Training and Workforce Development (DTWD).
The Agreement Implementation Guide was developed collaboratively late last year and has been distributed to the five employers and our membership.
Since the last State Council, implementation has focused on the following initiatives:
• Behaviour management framework – NMTAFE has taken the lead on the development of a new Student Behaviour Framework and a working group has been established. The union is represented on the group. A small union delegate/member reference group, with representatives from each of the five colleges, is being formed to provide input and assist in shaping the union’s response as the framework develops. The first meeting on behaviour management was held in late September.
• ASL (Advanced Skilled Lecturers) and AIL (Advanced Industry Lecturers) – Applications for these personal classifications have been processed at all colleges for 2025. Some colleges will be running a second round of ASL applications this year.
• Teacher qualification subsidies – Additional scholarships have been implemented across all five colleges. Feedback from colleges indicates that many worthy applicants have not secured the subsidy due to the cap on funding and that a small number of previous recipients have pulled out due to workload or family/health issues.
• PL (principal lecturer) and HOP (head of program) workload reviews – to be undertaken during life of the Agreement – The review of PL and HOP workloads has begun. The review will be led by a central committee with the union having two reference groups to help inform the review.
• Class sizes policy – to be reviewed during the life of the Agreement – TAFE Committee is currently reviewing the current class sizes policy in preparation for discussions with the five colleges.
• First aid allowance – This initiative has been implemented across all five colleges with lecturers back paid to the date of the registration of the Agreement.
• Ticket and license subsidy – The $200 per annum subsidy for industry tickets and licenses has been implemented across all five colleges with lecturers being able to claim from 2024.
• Workload management – The work intensification survey report has been promoted through each JCC. Currently there is an agreement to set up a working party in a few colleges, consisting of college management and the union, to discuss the outcomes and solutions. College are beginning to implement some changes to assist in reducing workload.
• Country entitlements – The additional travel concessions for lecturers in the Pilbara, Kimberley, Goldfields, Carnarvon and Exmouth, air conditioning subsidies and increased country incentive allowances have been implemented at relevant colleges. Issues regarding implementation for members in the Goldfields (travel concession and time) and Albany (travel time) were resolved after beging raised at the relevant JCCs. Members in these towns are now beginning to access their travel concessions as many have not been aware of the Agreement provisions.
• Funding for unit development – Via STERC the union was provided a report on unit development funding. However, information is lacking and transparency remains an issue. The union is in the process of requesting further information from each of the five colleges through the JCCs. This money is to be used to release lecturers from teaching to develop assessment tools, course materials and resources for new and replacement units of competence in training packages. The union is not confident the money has been used appropriately in all five colleges.
The union has been offering one-hour Know Your Rights sessions via Teams, on various Agreement provisions, to help members implement the Agreement on their own campus.
1. That the chair of TAFE Committee report.
2. That the report be received.
In 2022 the SSTUWA asked Dr Carmen Lawrence if she would be willing to chair an independent review into the state of public education in Western Australia, with the aim of starting a conversation across the community about public education.
Dr Lawrence was joined by a panel of experts made up of Scott Fitzgerald, Colin Pettit, Robyn White and supported by executive officer Pam Pollard.
The brief included a particular focus on the changes that had occurred in public education since 2010 and the effects they have had on teachers’ professional standing, workload, roles and responsibilities. The explicit request was to suggest measures to improve teachers’ working environments and job satisfaction so that more choose to stay in the profession and others see teaching as an attractive career.
In November 2023 the resulting report was released, being officially received by the then-Minister for Education at the launch event. That report was called Facing the Facts
The conversations it prompted are still going on – both in the community and in state parliament.
The result of one of the most extensive consultation processes public education has ever seen – put simply Facing the Facts has become a blueprint for the future of public education in Western Australia.
Facing the Facts helped prompt an Agency Capability Review into the Department of Education (DoE), delivered the evidence needed to secure vital aspects of the General Agreement 2023 (Schools) and prompted a level of interest in public education at community and government level that we have not seen for many, many years.
Facing the Facts made recommendations that were practical and achievable. The report’s legacy was not left to chance. The SSTUWA has constantly pushed the findings and that has seen many of them already acted upon, with more to come.
The report findings continue to apply and has shaped the SSTUWA’s strategy in every area, including the development of a state election position paper that has prompted action from the re-elected state government.
When it was announced that the Education and Health Standing Committee would conduct an inquiry into community use of WA public school facilities, Facing the Facts drove the SSTUWA’s submission in areas including:
(1) Benefits and risks of community use of public school facilities.
(2) Patterns of community use across WA.
(3) Current policy framework and other arrangements that guide community use.
(4) Barriers to maximising community use.
(5) Opportunities to enable increased use of public school facilities.
(6) Approaches taken to promote community use of school facilities by non-government schools, and in other jurisdictions.
Facing the Facts called for better cooperation with the government, department and union. One example is that since July, teacher workforce data has been discussed through the EREC forum. Prompted by the findings of Facing the Facts; the DoE suggested an approach whereby data can be provided to the parties when it aligns to other reporting requests. These include the annual report and parliamentary estimates. This workforce data access would allow the parties to be updated throughout the year and not take teams offline to produce data on request. This was agreed to by the parties and now awaits what this specifically includes. The SSTUWA has stated this needs to be demonstrated with evidence.
During these discussions the DoE anecdotally reported workforce data currently suggests that attrition has slowed and that there are modelling and projections being completed about teacher supply, types of teachers needed and locations they will be required. It is now anticipated this data will be provided to the parties.
Despite the DoE optimism of a slowing attrition rate, the following was recorded with respect to teacher resignations, (Hansard 20 August 2025):
1 In Quarter 2, 2024, 126 teachers resigned from their roles at public primary schools. During this period 30 primary teachers returned to employment in the public system.
In Quarter 2, 2025, 138 teachers resigned from their roles at public primary schools. During this period 38 primary teachers returned to employment in the public system.
2 In Quarter 2, 2024, 123 teachers resigned from their roles at public secondary schools. During this period 23 secondary teachers returned to employment in the public system.
In Quarter 2, 2025, 106 teachers resigned from their roles at public secondary schools. During this period 15 secondary teachers returned to employment in the public system.
3 The Department’s Exit Survey was implemented in May 2024 and, therefore, data prior to this date is not available.
Stress or burnout are not specific reasons for resignation in the survey, however 55 survey responses in 2025 included answers concerning stress or burnout.
As the DoE 2024/2025 Annual Report reflected, the teacher resignation rate increased by 120 per cent in the last four years, (1279 teachers in 2024, 598 in 2020).
Closer consultation resulting from Facing the Facts also saw DoE representatives meet exclusively with the SSTUWA to discuss the current status of the Director General’s statement Aspirations for All and the anticipated fold down of the strategic layers that will subsequently follow.
The SSTUWA was represented by the president, Executive member Stacey Scorer and Facing the Facts consultant Lindsay Hale. Various issues were discussed and included:
• Mainstream trained teachers dealing with students of greater complexity and diagnosis.
• Class sizes.
• Curriculum resources, teaching for impact, the Quality Teaching Program, the impact of private operators.
• Workload.
• How the DoE will deal with principals complying with the plan.
• The school leadership strategy.
• The current and ongoing role of collegiate principals.
• Professional learning for all employees covered by the agreement.
• Communication expectations of teachers to parents, therapists and so on.
In a related piece of work to the recommendations of the Agency Capability Review (ACR), the DoE finally released the overdue and much awaited Controversial Issues paper in the Week 10 Term 3 EdE-Mail. Whilst these documents are not as strong in their guidance when compared to similar papers distributed in the past, they are nonetheless of value for school community members who are dealing with an increase in the complexity of controversial issues and their frequency in a digital age that in of itself poses risks to those who work in schools.
These are just a few of the areas where Facing the Facts and the changes it has already inspired have started to deliver concrete results.
We owe much to Dr Lawrence and her team, as well as the SSTUWA staff who have subsequently ensured that Facing the Facts is a living document delivering positive outcomes.
Recommendations:
1. That a senior officer report.
2. That the report be received.
This year, the women’s officer targeted several educational settings where there were no women’s contact officer (WCO) representatives. The aim was to encourage more women to nominate and participate in the union structures at workplaces. It was also an opportunity for the women’s officer to explain the role of a WCO and how to access union support and training. The visits were successful, gaining 50 per cent more WCOs from the sites visited.
Key member concerns continue to be parental leave and issues regarding part-time work.
Changes to the parental leave clause includes the referral to keeping in touch days [schools Award clause 39.16(a), TAFE Agreement clause 57.17(a)] for members on unpaid parental leave to participate in professional learning, attending a conference, planning activities, etc. at their worksite to assist the employee’s return to work at the end of the period of leave.
Keeping in touch days are negotiated with the school leader or workplace administrator and the employee, with the employee being paid for the time attended at school. This day can be used as a whole day, part day, a few days at a time or all at once. An employee can take up to 10 keeping in touch days for each 12-month period of unpaid parental leave. Keeping in touch days cannot be accessed within the first 14 days of the child’s birthday or day of placement. These days do not break the continuity of unpaid parental leave period entitlements but also allows an employee to accrue other leave entitlements during a keeping in touch day. Other leave entitlements that can be accrued during a keeping in touch day include annual leave, personal leave, long service leave and Remote Teaching Service leave (if applicable).
The SSTUWA continues to work with members and school leaders on how to provide adequate support and structures at a workplace for breastfeeding mothers.
The women’s contact officer two-day course has been updated and focuses on the following:
• A clear understanding of the role and responsibilities of a WCO in the workplace.
• Explore support structures, frameworks and legal processes that lead to dispute resolution.
• Develop confidence in dealing with gender equity related matters.
AEU gender
Last year, the Australian government launched its first ever national strategy on achieving gender equality.
The report, Working for Women: A Strategy for Gender Equality, is a 10-year plan that looks to prioritise actions to achieve a gender equal society. The five priority areas in this strategy are:
1. Ending gender-based violence.
2. Unpaid and paid care.
3. Economic equality and security.
4. Health.
5. Leadership, representation and decision-making.
These priority areas were established after a consultative process with the public from all backgrounds. Monitoring progress of the 10-year strategy will include a mid-point review in 2029.
In Western Australia, the Stronger Together for Gender Equality 10-year plan continues to build and create a safer, more equitable and just community across WA.
This year we were hoping to see the state government release its third action plan, with there being already 98 actions across its four priority areas of health and wellbeing, safety and justice, economic independence and leadership.
Current actions include:
• Free menstrual health products to all public schools and TAFEs.
• Deadly Sista Girlz Program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls to engage and empower in their choices about their futures.
• More funding grants for eight WA women’s teams.
• A trial to integrate legal services with women’s health services in Kalgoorlie and Northbridge.
• Respect in Mining program.
• Student safe professional learning for North Regional TAFE lecturers to enable greater understanding and support for women’s safety in a training environment.
• Scholarships of up to $3 million for up to 400 women to undertake training in non-traditional trade and technical occupations.
While the SSTUWA is pleased with the actions so far, we know that a review of the current actions and implementation to date will also help decide what needs to happen going forward. Unions will continue to have a voice as part of the steering group for advocacy and change.
As previously reported, in 2024 the SSTUWA and the AEU participated in the Senate Report into menopause and perimenopause. Earlier this year, the federal government responded to the recommendations in final senate report. Of note four recommendations, particularly recommendations 3, 6, 7 and 8 relate to the SSTUWA.
Recommendation 3
The Committee recommends that, in the next review of the Australian Curriculum, the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) consider how menopause can be expressly referenced in the menstrual health and reproductive cycles content within the Health and Physical Education learning area.
In response the federal government notes recommendation 3, pointing out that there was a recent review (2/04/2022) of the National Curriculum, in particular the government states: The Australian Curriculum addresses reproductive and sexual health as part of the Health and Physical Education (HPE) curriculum in an age-appropriate way across the years of schooling from Foundation to Year 10.
Recommendation 6
The Committee recommends that the Australian Government consider amendments to Section 65 of the Fair Work Act 2009, to ensure women can access flexible working arrangements during menopause.
The government notes this recommendation.
The government has considered the amendments to the Fair Work Act to ensure women can access flexible working arrangements during menopause. In response the government says: The Government is committed to gender equality and has implemented a number of reforms to help more employees access flexible working arrangements including through the Fair Work Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Act 2022.”
It also noted that The Fair Work Commission is currently reviewing a working from home term in the Clerks Private Sector Award 2020, and this may be a model term for other awards.
Recommendation 7
The Committee encourages Australian workplaces develop perimenopause and menopause workplace policies in consultation with their employees.
The government notes this recommendation.
Encouragement of all workplaces to develop perimenopause and menopause workplace policies in consultation with their employees. In response the government highlighted itself as a model employer and comments “The Australian Public Service Commission will support APS agencies to develop workplace policies on perimenopause and menopause.”
The Committee recommends that the Australian Government task the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations to undertake further research on the impact and effectiveness of sexual and reproductive health leave where it has been implemented in Australia and overseas, while giving consideration to introducing paid gender-inclusive reproductive leave in the National Employment Standards (NES) and modern awards.
The Australian government notes this recommendation.
The other 21 recommendations are more in the light of increasing funding to medical research into women’s health issues as well as greater training of medical professionals in the areas of menopause and perimenopause.
This year’s committee comprises members from primary, secondary and TAFE, from metro and regional locations.
By the end of 2025, meeting discussions will have included:
• Updates on the school and TAFE current Agreement implementation.
• Issues and queries in schools and TAFE colleges.
• Gender equity regarding women in leadership.
• AEU and the SSTUWA Women’s Conferences.
• AEU Federal matters.
• Log of Claims 2026.
International Women’s Day 2025
International Women’s Day (IWD) theme March Forward celebrated the 30-year anniversary since the United Nation’s Declaration and Platform for Action for achieving gender equality (also known as the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action).
The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, Beijing+5 Political Declaration and Outcome is regarded as the most “progressive blueprint ever for advancing women’s rights”. The 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action identified 12 critical areas in need of urgent action to guarantee equality:
1. Women and poverty
2. Education and training of women
3. Women and health
4. Violence against women
5. Women and armed conflict
6. Women and the media
7. Women and the economy
8. Women in power and decision-making
9. Institutional mechanisms
10. Human rights
11. Women and the environment
12. Girl child
The Beijing Declaration to improve gender equality and the importance for women and girls to be empowered was adopted by 189 countries.
The SSTUWA joined the UnionsWA rally in its IWD event, which was held on 28 February. The theme My Body, My Rights, saw several union members speak on issues impacting women in their workplace and also on a global level.
The speakers gave valuable insights into the great work that our unions do in making workplaces better for women members. The rally was an important opportunity to consider the gains we have seen for women including the introduction of the positive duty responsibilities to prevent sexual harassment and better abortion access in WA. However, there is still more work that needs to be done, including improvements to the Equal Opportunity Act and provisions for reproductive leave.
UnionsWA also circulated a progress report (in your portal). The report looks at what has been gained in the last term of government and what work is still required. Key areas include the gender pay gap, family and domestic violence, anti-discrimination and harassment laws, reproductive rights, access to medical health products and gender recognition reforms.
The event was organised by the recently established UnionsWA Women’s Committee on which the SSTUWA’s women’s officer is a member.
SSTUWA Women’s Conference
At the time of writing this report, the SSTUWA conference is yet to occur. This year’s theme is March Forward.
Keynote speakers will include:
Noor Azizah
A Rohingya refugee who fled genocide and now resides in Sydney. Noor is the co-founder and director of the Rohingya Maìyafuìnor Collaborative Network. This organisation focuses on various fields of human rights work and is led by Rohingya women.
Dr Carmen Lawrence AO
Dr Carmen Lawrence is a former WA premier and treasurer, WA Minister for Education and Aboriginal Affairs, a former federal Minister for Health and Human Services and a Professor Emerita at the University of Western Australia. More importantly Dr Lawrence was instrumental in the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.
Bo Youn Kim
Bo Youn Kim is a clinical pharmacist, founder of EmpowHer Menopause Clinic. Her session will include the diverse perimenopause and menopause symptoms evidence-based treatment options. Debunk the myths and misunderstandings of hormone replacement therapy.
Workshops:
• Holistic Voice Care for Teachers - Thea Peterson, speech pathologist, Voicecare WA.
• Work Health and Safety Risks and Realities for Women – Elaine Gunn, WHS trainer.
• Pathways to Financial Confidence: Strategies for Economic Empowerment - Shelley Tiet, Gallagher (Formerly Wealth Management Partners).
The AEU Federal Women’s Conference was held in Melbourne in September. The SSTUWA had representation from all areas of the union. The theme of this year’s conference Safe. Respected. Equal. reflects our ongoing efforts to address and dismantle systemic and institutionalised gendered violence and misogyny within the education sector.
Conference sessions focused on equipping participants with the knowledge, strategies and tools needed to drive cultural and structural change towards gender equity in their workplaces and across the profession. The conference revisited longstanding issues and apply organising strategies to mobilise women and allies in driving change. Given the complexity of the topic, a safety plan was in place before, during and after the event, and delegates were encouraged to practise self-care as needed.
AEU and Monash University’s National Survey for Sexism and Misogyny in Australian Schools was launched at the conference. The survey will remain open for approximately six weeks, until approximately 21 November. Gender-based discrimination and misogyny remain embedded in education systems and workplaces. We also know that when we listen to those affected and when we organise, we can drive meaningful, lasting change. The survey will be shared with members and will collect important data on the extent of sexism and misogyny in Australian schools.
Conference showcased powerful women speakers – from the opening address by AEU Federal President Correna Haythorpe to the Federal Minister for Women – Hon. Katie Gallagher. Minister Gallagher discussed the federal government’s response to the rise of misogyny in our society and the government’s response to push back against this and increase programs to promote equality within Australia.
Other conference speakers included:
• Professor Nareen Young, director of the Centre for Indigenous People and Work (CIPW) at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS).
• Kate Ruttiman, Queensland Teachers Union general secretary, honorary president of the Queensland Council of Unions.
• Mill O’Sullivan, lead, Belle Gender Collective Youth Project.
• Cara Gleeson, director of Our Watch.
• Rachel Bos, First Nations Workers Alliance.
• Michele O’Neil, ACTU president.
• Will Stracke, assistant secretary of the Victorian Trades Hall Council.
The last workshop of conference focused on the importance of reproductive health leave and its importance within all sectors. This is a nation-wide campaign titled “It’s for everybody”. The campaign is encouraging all unions to introduce reproductive leave via their next bargaining rounds.
Recommendations:
1. That a senior officer report.
2. That the report be received.
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education scholarships are set up to assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander SSTUWA members to take up training or professional development opportunities to further develop their career in education.
The SSTUWA winners for 2025 are Kristy Ann Stewart and Charmain Collard.
This award recognises SSTUWA members who are committed to ensuring that all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students have the right to high quality public education in Western Australia.
The SSTUWA understands that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, as traditional custodians, were disenfranchised and that the consequences are now apparent in present inequalities, including in many cases the lack of wellbeing amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today. As a result the SSTUWA seeks to promote stronger relationships and enhanced respect between Aboriginal and nonAboriginal people across WA.
The SSTUWA, through the implementation of our own Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), has committed to promote, empower and work within our sphere of influence to contribute to reconciliation across our state. Our first RAP included the establishment of the SSTUWA Reconciliation in Action Award. This provides an opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to recognise and celebrate the work of our members who are making positive contributions towards reconciliation.
The award will be presented for:
• Exemplary practice in education for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students that focuses on promoting cultural competency. And/or
• Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. And/or
• Working towards the elimination of racism within public education.
The SSTUWA 2025 Reconciliation in Action Award winner is Palmyra Primary School.
Palmyra Primary School has also been nominated for the AEU Arthur Hamilton Award. This award recognises the outstanding contribution to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education from eligible educators or a group of educators in public schools and TAFE colleges who demonstrate a commitment to the provision of high-quality education to Aboriginal Students and Torres Strait Islander students.
The SSTUWA Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Committee continues to grow, with representation from across our state from schools and TAFE colleges.
The committee continues to guide the work of the union. Key discussions have included:
• SSTUWA’s RAP.
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment.
• Updates on Aborignal and Torres Strait Islander recommendations in the Facing the Facts report.
• Cultural responsiveness and education in schools and TAFE colleges.
• Scholarships and awards.
• AEU Yalukit Yulendj.
• Networking opportunities for regional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members.
• New educator support.
Part of 2025’s strategy is to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander new educators. Earlier this year, new educators who identify as First Nations were contacted to join the New Educator Facebook page. This is the first step for our new educators to be part of a community that educates members on their industrial rights.
Through our future regional network meetings, we hope to create a buddy system of support with new educators and an experienced mentor. This is one of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Committee’s priorities going forward.
The SSTUWA RAP working group (RWG) has drafted our union’s RAP. Feedback was requested from our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Committee, RWG and staff.
Once finalised and endorsed by our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Committee, the RAP will provide the union with a clear direction on how to continue strengthening and building our relationship with our oldest continuing culture in the world. It is an ongoing journey.
Some of the actions that we achieved in the last RAP include:
• Continue to work with and through our SSTUWA Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Committee to develop and maintain mutually beneficial relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members and organisations, and the communities they work in.
• Continue our involvement and representation on the Australian Education Union Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander National Committee Yalukit Yulendj.
• Promote and circulate Reconciliation Australia’s National Reconciliation Week (NRW) information, materials, resources and events to SSTUWA staff and members through our communications mechanisms.
• The SSTUWA will continue to award an annual Reconciliation in Action Award to honour champions of reconciliation from our membership, staff or school communities.
• Provide information, resources and access to professional development specific to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff and members through our website, eNews and Western Teacher
• Continue to promote engagement in all public schools of the DoE Aboriginal Cultural Standards Framework, that sets expected standards for all staff when working with Aboriginal students, their parents and families, and communities, and encourage this to be embedded in school policies.
• Continue to provide education and training to all teachers, school leaders and TAFE lecturers including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through the SSTUWA Education and Training Centre.
Union staff participated in RAP workshops. The workshops were a way to engage staff with the RAP process and for all staff to understand that this is core business. The workshops highlighted the need to continue building on a culture of respect and justice for our First Peoples. It was also crucial for staff to know that we are all responsible and accountable for the work of reconciliation.
The RWG was also very thankful for the help and support of Kevin O’Keefe in leading conversations with the group on reconciliation.
SSTUWA Executive member Maurice Palmer is the elected delegate for Yalukit Yulendj. The work of this committee drives discussion at a state and territory level. This includes:
○ Problems with deficit discourse, shifting the narrative from deficit to strengths-based and culturally grounded perspectives.
○ The impact of systemic racism
○ The need to decolonise knowledge and disrupt harmful narratives that perpetuate damaging discourses.
○ Truth telling process in WA needs to be prioritised.
○ The importance for allies to walk together with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the fight against racism.
The recent Reconciliation in Education Leadership Network meeting shared an update from Murdoch University on racism and allyship in WA youth spaces.
Study 1: Aboriginal Adolescents Experiences of Racism (AAERS)
• Conducted yarning circles with 51 Aboriginal adolescents across six WA schools.
○ Findings revealed widespread experiences of racial microaggressions, including:
○ Assumptions of criminality.
○ Cultural invalidation and stereotyping.
○ Social exclusion and invisibility in curriculum and peer groups.
• Two unique forms of racism emerged:
○ Invalidation of cultural identity - students were often mocked after cultural events like NAIDOC Week.
○ Burden of cultural expertise - young people were expected to act as cultural authorities, even when they lacked knowledge due to intergenerational trauma or disconnection.
○ Most incidents occurred in schools, shops and online - spaces where young people spend the most time.
Study 2: Non-Aboriginal Adults Allyship Study (NAAAS)
• Focus groups with non-Aboriginal adults who work with Aboriginal youth revealed:
○ A general belief in equality, but limited confidence in identifying or addressing racism.
○ Many participants did not initially name racism as a key issue for Aboriginal youth.
○ Ambiguity in scenarios (e.g., being encouraged to play footy) made participants hesitant to label actions as racist.
○ Some participants believed racism was innate or natural, reflecting deep misunderstandings.
• Experience sampling: Aboriginal youth will report daily experiences of racism over 14 days to capture real-time data.
• Large-scale survey: Will explore predictors of active anti-racist behaviour versus passive attitudes.
• Structural racism audit tool: A co-designed framework to help schools assess and improve their policies, practices, and environments.
These findings emphasised the need to move beyond individual awareness to systemic change, including:
○ Embedding anti-racism in school policies and professional learning.
○ Recognising the unique experiences of Aboriginal youth.
○ Supporting educators to act confidently and effectively against racism.
This year the World Indigenous Peoples’ Conference on Education (WIPCE) will be in held in Tāmaki Makaurau (Aukland New Zealand) at the Aukland University of Technology from Sunday 16 November to Thursday 20 November 2025. First Nations educators, experts, students and scholars from across the globe will be in attendance to share successes and strategies for culturally responsive education.
As stated by WIPCE organisers:
An estimated 370 million Indigenous peoples live in all continents of the earth and represent a significant part of the world’s vast cultural and linguistic diversity and heritage. Indigenous peoples possess unique knowledge systems, which are recognised as crucial for sustainable development. At the same time, social, economic and political marginalisation of Indigenous peoples is pervasive in all the regions across the world.
Over the past 37 years, WIPCE has endeavoured to address this issue and has grown to become a major international event in the Indigenous education movement. The conference is based on the fundamental principle of Indigenous control of Indigenous education. This principle enables education to become a means of protecting, preserving and developing Indigenous cultures, rather than an instrument of colonization. To recognise the role of education in the historical destruction of Indigenous societies and cultures draws attention to racism and the responsibilities of non-Indigenous people to play supporting (not leading) roles in Indigenous education. Indigenous education surfaces ethical questions, and opens space for feminist, gender and rainbow perspectives.
The SSTUWA delegate to WIPCE 2025 is Maurice Palmer. Charmain Collard will be using her scholarship prize to help fund her attendance to WIPCE.
Recommendations
1. That a senior officer report
2. That the report be received.
3. That State Council acknowledges the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education scholarship winners.
4. The State Council acknowledges the Reconciliation in Action Award winner.
Palmyra Primary School Branch of the SSTUWA endorses the AEU Facebook statement of 9/9/25 released on the International Day to Protect Education from Attach, that states “The ongoing genocide in Gaza has torn through the heart of Palestine’s education system” and “As teachers and unionists, we cannot turn away. We must speak out, call for change, and defend the right of every child, everywhere, to a safe education. “This branch resolves that the SSTUWA issue a public statement that reflects this.
Palmyra Primary School Branch
Palmyra Primary School Branch of the SSTUWA notes the Resolutions on Palestine & Peace Education passed at June 2025 State Council conference (Resolutions 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14). This Branch resolves that the SSTUWA create an Action Plan with input from interested members and that a Progress Report on this matter be delivered to State Council Conference June 2026.
Palmyra Primary School Branch of the SSTUWA requests that in the next EBA TOIL is included for teachers attending camps. The Australian Education Union Victorian branch has achieved a significant win that will see the Victorian branch has achieved a significant win that will see the Victorian government providing an additional $130 million for school budgets over 4 years to resolve the school camp time in lieu “off duty” dispute heard before the Fair work Commission.
Palmyra Primary School Branch
That this Bannister Creek Primary School Branch of the SSTUWA endorses the AEU’s Facebook Statement of 9/9/25 released on the International Day to Protect Education from Attack, that states “The ongoing genocide in Gaza has torn through the heart of Palestine’s education system” and “As teachers and unionists, we cannot turn away. We must speak out, call for change, and defend the right of every child, everywhere, to a safe education”. This branch resolves that the SSTUWA issue a public statement that reflects this.
Background:
There is further information available at AEU statement on Gaza and peace education | Australian Education Union (AEU) Victorian Branch (https://www.aeuvic.asn.au/aeu-statement-gaza-and-peaceeducation) and Resolution: Educating for Peace | Australian Education Union (AEU) Victorian Branch (https://www.aeuvic.asn.au/resolution-educating-peace-0).
There is also an attachment regarding these resolutions to provide some background information.
To be clear as is stipulated in the articles, while the focus is on GAZA the AEU is in support of the rights of all children across the world. These are the various International campaigns that the AEU are involved in if you are interested to learn more: http://www.aeufederal.org.au/campaigns/international-campaigns.
Attachment:
PALESTINE AND PEACE MOTIONS PASSED
RESOLUTION 8, 9 &12
“The SSTUWA stands in solidarity with the people of Palestine. This includes endorsing the AEU’s Statement on the Conflict between Israel and Palestine (24/10/23) which states that “All children have the right to access education in safety and with their basic human rights respected” and
“The AEU condemns any acts of war by any nation or group that attacks civilian targets, including schools and hospitals.” The SSTUWA will work actively to communicate this position to members.”
RESOLUTION 11 &13
“The SSTUWA recognises the rights of members to undertake appropriate and peaceful action to advance the human rights of Palestinians, and rejects any unlawful employer and government actions that seek to restrict appropriate and peaceful action.”
RESOLUTION 14
“The SSTUWA reaffirms the principles of the Western Australian Curriculum’s General Capabilities of Ethical understanding and Intercultural understanding and supports members who choose to reference Palestinian voices in teaching programs developed in accordance with these principles.”
RESOLUTION 15
“The SSTUWA urges the Department of Education to establish a clear policy in opposition to the sponsorship of school programs by ‘harmful industries’ and to communicate the policy to school leaders. The policy should include companies involved in the sale, promotion or manufacturing of weapons as this industry should not be permitted to influence young people via the provision of school programs, especially in relation to STEM.”
That this Bannister Creek Primary School Branch of the SSTUWA notes the Resolutions on Palestine and Peace Education passed at June 2025 State Council Conference (Resolutions 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14). This branch resolves that the SSTUWA create an Action Plan with input from interested members and that a Progress Report on this matter be delivered to State Council Conference June 2026.
Background:
There is further information available at AEU statement on Gaza and peace education | Australian Education Union (AEU) Victorian Branch and Resolution. Educating for Peace | Australian Education Union (AEU) Victorian Branch.
To be clear as is stipulated in the articles, while the focus is on GAZA the AEU is in support of the rights of all children across the world. These are the various International campaigns that the AEU are involved in if you are interested to learn more: http://www.aeufederal.org.au/campaigns/international-campaigns.
That the Bannister Creek P.S. Branch of the SSTUWA notes that teachers often work with external service providers to support individual student needs, but unclear or excessive expectations can create additional workload pressures. The Branch calls on the SSTUWA to provide guidance on reasonable teacher responsibilities, advocate for consistent protocols across schools, and support members to ensure workloads remain manageable while maintaining professional standards.
Background:
This motion arose from a member raising concerns about the expectations of an external service provider whose recommendations for supporting an individual student significantly impacted their ability to maintain duty of care for the whole class. While it was discussed and acknowledged that the administration at our school has supported the member and pushed back on the recommendations, this highlights a broader issue. There is currently no mention of this matter in the Red Book, yet the use of external service providers is on the rise as schools seek additional support. As a branch, we call on the SSTUWA to be proactive in this space by providing clear and explicit guidance for members on reasonable expectations when working with external providers.
During a recent Public Sector Alliance (PSA) meeting the focus of regional entitlements was discussed, including the next phase of expanding district allowances, annual travel concessions and motor vehicle allowances. Common issues across unions were discussed with a view to the next round of bargaining for all members commencing in the second half of next year.
The PSA discussed shared concerns regarding the state government’s regional entitlements review; this review was completed in early 2025, and stakeholders who participated in the review have not been updated as to the government’s next steps or intentions.
This PSA discussion also centred around common claims across each union, particularly motor vehicle allowances, annual travel concession subsidies and a widening distribution of district allowance. Each of these matters has strong significance for 2026 bargaining.
The Minister for Education announced on 13 October another extension of the attraction retention incentive (ARI) payments valued at $7.4 million which will support 60 schools to recruit and retain staff for the 2026 school year. According to the Minister’s press release:
“Introduced by the Cook Government in 2023,…[ARIs] were successfully rolled out as a temporary initiative to attract staff. It has grown from supporting teachers and support staff in 48 rural and remote schools to supporting educators and administrators across 60 schools.”
A review of the data shows significant increases for the retention payments in the South West, Mid-West and Wheatbelt compared to 2023, providing further evidence of the increasing impact of the teacher supply crisis:
Source: Hansard (bit.ly/4ovaPsq)
ARI payments are not covered through the General Agreement and Award and nor are they dealing with the growing staffing problem faced in our country and remote schools.
An OECD report released 9 October (The Tailis Report) stated Australia is ranked third in the world for the teacher supply global crisis and second in the world for poor mental health of teachers and school leaders.
There have been recent member cases where Government Regional Officer Housing (GROH) allocations for international recruits has been potentially at risk because of unforeseen staffing issues, despite GROH being a part of the lure of their appointment. These cases have exposed the inadequacies of the GROH decision-making framework applied by the DoE which the SSTUWA has raised formally through member supporting correspondence. These cases and the overall situation where the DoE has become dependent upon international recruits requires a sharper focus from the SSTUWA, which will be reported to Executive over coming months.
A GROH campaign has begun as evidenced through Western Teacher this semester. $57.855 million has been allocated across 2024-25 to 2028-29 in the state budget to reflect the increase in GROH housing demand. The DoE manages approximately 2,420 employee houses in rural, regional, remote towns or communities, mainly through the GROH program.
In addition to resolving individual member cases, other successes attributable to the work of the SSTUWA in this area during Semester 2 include:
• Following 18 months of political campaigning a separate Department of Housing and Works (DHW) agency has been created by the Minister as part of a broader government strategy to refocus attention upon matters relating to GROH.
• The SSTUWA has established a quarterly meeting with DHW senior officers representing the Minister; the SSTUWA is the only employee representative attending. The agreed focus of these meetings is to “discuss and develop lowest level resolution options for parties to consider”.
• Access and use of a GROH escalation coordinator for specific member cases.
• Advocating for a review of the tenancy rent setting framework by the Office of the Minster for Finance.
The outcomes from the first quarterly meeting between the DHW and the SSTUWA were:
• Adding the most recent Tenancy Rent Setting Framework and the GROH escalation coordinator’s email address to the country and remote teaching hub on our website hub for the benefit of our members, and circulating both to industrial staff.
• SSTUWA urged DHW to introduce a tracking system that was customer facing to reduce the number of times members needed to report unresolved maintenance issues. (There is currently an internal system used by DHW although it is not currently customer facing.)
• Various security concerns faced by members were raised; these included the lack of lockable garages at GROH homes, resulting in some schools having to buy wheel clamps to present to new staff as part of their induction.
Recommendations:
1. That a senior officer report.
2. That the report be received.
overview of 2025
During 2025 there were approximately 1,750 attendees participating in training events organised through the SSTUWA. This is a five per cent increase in the number of participants attending training events compared to the same time in 2024. It is of interest to note that the total number of events offered across the two years was equal, but there was an increase in the number of attendees in 2025.
Table 1 provides a comparative snapshot of the statistics of course categories offered through the Education and Training Centre (ETC) in 2024 and then in 2025.
Table 1: Comparison of the total number of training events and participants for 2024 and 2025.
cancellations
Across all course categories there continues to be an ongoing trend of a high number of cancellations for many events. There are several contributing factors, in many cases unavoidable, including:
• Teacher shortages.
• Lack of relief teachers.
• Burnout and illness.
• Not eligible for events.
• Change in school needs on the day.
As a result, in 2025, the total number of registration cancellations across the year was approximately 500. This is an average cancellation rate of approximately 25 per cent across the year.
Therefore the total number of members registering for training for the year was 2,300 with 1,755 actually attending.
Approximately 38 per cent of participants attending training events in 2025 were first time attendees at the Education and Training Centre. Six hundred and fifty-nine people attended a training event for the first time.
It is of interest to note the following statistics that identify first time participants attending a training event in a particular category. The % data indicate a balance between repeat attendees attending training and the expansion of learning opportunities to new participants. The Education and Training Centre is continually growing in its outreach to different members. Refined communication tools, word of mouth, delegates’ promotion and high levels of satisfaction all result in healthy balance between repeat and first-time attendees.
Table 2: Percentage of first time participants in training categories during 2025.
• 55 per cent of delegates attending an industrial training event in 2025, had never participated in an SSTUWA industrial training event previously.
• 40 per cent of the people registered in a professional online event in 2025, had never participated in an SSTUWA online event previously.
• 30 per cent of the people who attended a conference or forum in 2025 had never previously attended a conference or forum at the SSTUWA.
The remainder of the report provides a summary of major trends noted within each training category and outlines future directions for 2026. The report is divided into the following sections:
1. Trade union training (TUT) approved industrial training events in 2025.
2. Industrial training focus in 2026.
3. Work health and safety (WHS) training events in 2025.
4. WHS training events in 2026.
5. Professional learning events in 2025.
6. Professional learning events focus in 2026.
7. Online professional learning via TLN in 2025.
8. Online professional learning via TLN focus in 2026.
9. Conferences and forums (TUT) in 2025.
10. Conferences and forums (TUT) in 2026.
In 2025 the industrial training program continued to have a focus on providing high quality training and support to elected delegates across all levels of experience and needs. The goal of this part of the program was to help build internal capacity across each of the branches to enable delegates to
educate and support other branch members. The delegate courses have continued to be valued and presented by highly-skilled SSTUWA staff.
Specific industrial events were also offered for general membership, providing them with the opportunity to build their own knowledge and understanding around important industrial topics, campaigns and national directions. The following table summarises the types of industrial events that were on offer during 2025, the number of attendees and the number of regional members who attended.
Table 3: Industrial training events attendees – metro and regional as at 1 October 2025.
Overall, around 1,000 members participated in TUT approved industrial training events in 2025. Events were conducted by SSTUWA staff onsite at ETC, online and/or in regional district council locations such as Kalgoorlie, Karratha, Albany and Esperance.
Feedback from all industrial training
is consistently positive, appreciated and empowering.
“Highly beneficial. Invaluable content, rep roles clearly defined and explored. Great strategies to take back to school. So many take aways! Learnt a lot more about the GA and Awards.” Union Rep Level One attendee
“I found this course engaging and uplifting. It has given me the confidence to negotiate better.” Union Rep Level Two attendee
“Thanks for a great two days. I came in unsure about what this course would be like and it has exceeded my expectations. I feel proud and glad to be a WCO.” Women’s Contact Officer attendee
During Term 4, the 2026 schools and TAFE industrial programs will be reviewed. Decisions will be made about the ongoing training opportunities for elected delegates as well as for general membership in 2026.
It is anticipated in 2026 the following events will be offered for elected delegates in schools:
• Union Representative Level One: Schools.
• Union Representative Level Two: Schools – Dispute Resolution and Negotiation.
• Union Representative Level Three: Ethical Leadership.
• Women’s Contact Officer: Schools and TAFE.
• Understanding Employment Law Frameworks for Schools.
• General Agreement 2023 Online Events.
• District Industrial Training Events.
• Aspiring Delegate Training Schools and TAFE.
TAFE delegate training in 2026 will include the following:
• TAFE Agreement and Campaign Training for Union Representatives and Committee Members – Level One.
• Understanding Employment Law Frameworks for TAFE Lecturers – Level Two.
• Dispute Resolution and Negotiation in the Workplace – Level Three.
• Women’s Contact Officer: Schools and TAFE.
• Aspiring Delegate Training Schools and TAFE.
General membership industrial, schools and TAFE (TUT)
• General Agreement 2023 online events.
• The 2026 Women’s Conference.
• The Early Childhood Education Conference.
• The Ethical School Leader Program.
• Lead with Intention in the Early Years.
As planned, during 2025 elected health and safety reps (HSRs) were able to access several educationspecific training opportunities at the SSTUWA that were delivered by Unity Training.
The ETC hosted the following events:
• Five x Education-Specific Introductory Five-Day events.
• Six x Education-Specific One-Day Refresher Courses – Level One.
• Four x Education-Specific One-Day Refresher Courses – Level Two.
A total of 258 HSRs attended training at the SSTUWA throughout the year.
The Education and Training Centre worked with the SSTUWA WHS organiser to create and deliver a oneday WHS legislation training event for school-leaders. This event was highly successful with 27 school leaders participating.
In 2026 the following options will continue to be available for HSRs to attend training and maintain their registration as a fully trained HSR in their school.
A. Five-Day Education-Specific Introductory WHS Course (Approx four).
B. One-Day Education Specific WHS Refresher Course: Level One (Approx four).
C. One-Day Education Specific WHS Refresher Course: Level Two (Approx six).
WHS courses will continue to be a major focus for the ETC in 2026 as the demand for ongoing refresher courses continues.
During 2025 the ETC coordinator has continued to ensure that all courses offered were contemporary, relevant, practical and responsive to participants’ needs. Face-to-face training events during the term breaks in 2025 have increased substantially from 2024. A total of 325 participants attended professional events and 53 new teachers attended industrial events during term breaks.
A range of outstanding facilitators and new topics continued to be offered throughout the term break periods. Fifty per cent of the face-to-face professional events were new and 25 of the online events were also offered for the first time.
• January continued to be the most popular time for teachers attending professional learning (165 participants).
• April break – With Easter incorporated, it is a very difficult time for teachers to attend training. Online professional learning events, rather than face-to-face events, were preferred during the April break.
• Online professional events were the most popular for the July break.
• During the October break period over 100 members attended two free events that were offered for members only. Retirement planning, along with Planning and Assessing Using K Curriculum Guidelines, were both highly successful events.
In 2026 the ETC coordinator will continue to offer face-to-face professional courses for educators K-12 and TAFE to support their pursuit of personal professional pathways during term breaks. Courses will be offered via face-to-face events and online.
A range of new topics are planned to be introduced throughout the year including:
• Anti-Racism Training – Rachael Bos.
• Four Ways to Behaviour and Self-Regulation – Brad Williams.
• Fostering Growth Mindsets – Fiona Boylan.
• Holistic Voice Care for Teachers – Thea Peterson.
• Creating Spaces Where Kids Thrive – Amy Cox.
The areas of most interest from 2025 will help drive decisions for new events. These will include courses around:
• Differentiation.
• Disabilities.
• Behaviour.
• Trauma Informed Teaching.
To supplement the professional learning face-to-face program, in 2025 the Education and Training Centre continued to partner with the Teacher Learning Network (TLN) in Victoria to offer a range of online professional events to all members. The goal is to specifically support regional members to access high quality professional learning, but to also be able to offer a range of additional topics not always available as face-to-face courses.
A total of 28 online professional events were on offer in 2025 through TLN. There were 111 SSTUWA attendees engaging in the online events on offer.
The ETC coordinator will continue to work with the TLN program coordinator to select a suite of online training events to be offered through the SSTUWA during 2026.
Planning for 2026 has commenced at TLN. A draft of possible events for 2026 has been received. At this time, duration, dates, modes and content are still being confirmed, but will broadly fall under the following learning categories:
• Learning Diversity Courses.
• First Nations Pedagogies and Content.
• Leading Wellbeing Across a School or College.
• Behaviour and Classroom Management.
• Women in Leadership.
• Teaching and Classroom Practice.
• Artificial Intelligence.
The Education and Training Centre hosted three very successful TUT approved conferences/forums in 2025:
• The 2025 Women’s Conference (81 participants).
• The Early Childhood Education Conference (85 participants).
• The Ethical School Leader Program (58 x 3 participants).
The following tables provide an overview summary of each event.
2025 ECE Conference: K-2 – Nurturing Young Minds (TUT), Friday 1 August
Keynote speakers and workshop presenters
Keynotes
Beck Thompson – Author, Teacher, Speaker
Dr Amie Fabry – Director of Early Childhood, The Learning Future
Dr Fiona Boylan – Edith Cowan University
Tammy-Anne Caldwell and Tom Budden
Workshops
Amy Cox – Play Therapist
Kristy Howson – SCSA
Number of registrations received 101
Number attended 85
Feedback comments
“Today was a wonderful day to network and come away with some new ideas.” Conference attendee
“Thank you, highly professional, a wonderful engaging conference.” Conference attendee
“Love SSTUWA conferences. So supportive. Spot on presenters. We leave feeling nurtured.” Conference attendee
2025 Women’s Conference: March Forward (TUT), Friday 31 October
Keynote speakers and workshop presenters
Keynotes
Noor Azizah – Leader, educator and advocate championing to advance equality
Bo Youn Kim – Clinical pharmacist, founder of EmpowHer Menopause Clinic
Workshops
Shelley Tiet – Wealth Management
Thea Peterson – Speech pathologist, Voice Care WA
Elaine Gunn – WHS trainer
Number of registrations received 81
Number attended TBC
Feedback comments TBC
The Ethical School Leader Program: (TUT), Term 2, Term 3 and Term 4 (three days)
Facilitators
Ben Calleja and David Price, CC Solutions
Mario Schmidt, John Theodorsen, Antony Pearson – SSTUWA
Matt Jarman, Natalie Bewitt, Lindsay Hale, Kevlynn Annandale – SSTUWA
Day One: Leading for Good - Practical Pathways for Morally Informed Leadership Day Two: Leading from Strength –Understanding and Harnessing the Powers and Protection of Legislation, Policy, Agreements and the Law Day Three: Leading for Each Other –Shared Goals of our General Agreement and Award
Number of registrations received 58 x 3
Number attended
Feedback comments
58 x 3
“You have definitely tapped into a wide gap in school leader training & PL – what I did yesterday would be beneficial to all school leaders.” Principal
“... Thank you for giving us the chance to hear David Price’s stories and his wisdom…It really was outstanding! Thanks SSTUWA…As a union member throughout my whole career, I’m glad I don’t have to join another organisation to be supported as a leader.” Deputy principal
“Superb. Thoroughly enjoyed the day and was given a huge amount to reflect on. Listening to others’ experiences was enlightening.” HOLA
In 2026 the following conferences and forums will be considered a priority.
• Women’s Conference.
• Early Childhood Education Conference.
• Ethical School Leader Program x four cohorts.
• Lead with Intention in the Early Years with Dr Amie Fabry x three-day program.
Recommendations:
1. That a senior officer report.
2. That the report be received.
Saturday 15 November 2025
Matt Jarman President Natalie Blewitt Senior Vice President
Bruce Banyard
Natalie Blewitt
Tom James
Matt Jarman
Marie Klein
Rob Lawson
Kathy Mannion
Sharmila Nagar
Maurice Palmer
Melissa Peden
District 1: Belmont
Entitlement – 7
Laura Carman
Jaelee Nysen
Daniel Shaw
Lance Wood
District 2: Bunbury
Entitlement – 10
Craig Bourne
Renée Chapple
Sol Hanna
James Keillor
Nghia Nguyen
Paul Reynolds
Natasha Schmitt
District 3: Butler
Entitlement – 8
Wesley Buzza
Sarah Dinan
Matthew Stelov
Beverley Worrall
District 4: Fremantle
Entitlement – 8
Lydia Cavallaro
Ruth Ellis
Jade Elvin
Sarah Venning
Sharmila Nagar Vice President
Mary Franklyn General Secretary
John Reid
Heather Riseberry
Lincoln Rose
Samantha Schofield
District 5: Goldfields
Entitlement – 7
Hannah Barnes
Sheree Halford
Geoffrey MacNicol
Nicola Rose
Joey Stuart
District 6: Hillarys Entitlement – 12
Jakob Brooks
Geoff Miller
Ashlee Passmore
Sean Vagg
District 7: Jandakot Entitlement – 9
Anna Di Noto
Stacey Scorer
Tanya Uren
Sharon Vertigan
Pauline Winrow
District 8: Kalamunda Entitlement – 13
Matthew Highman
Sebastian Liffers
Priya Sarbajna
Leah Slater
Michael Smith
Linda Valdrighi
Cassandra Vogels
Reece Young
District 9: KimberleyPilbara Entitlement – 12
Christopher Bond
Danielle Boyd
Suzanne Brealey
Chris Buck
Trisha Chapman
Jacqueline Collis
Damien Jameson
Chalice Kelly
Chelsea Silvasi
Sue Smith
Jodie Thompson
Heather Van Den Rydt
District 10: Maylands Entitlement – 7
Keenan Chandler
Nicole Hall
Madeline McFee
Dale Nixon
Helene Offer
Carol Salt
Heidie Vanzetti
District 11: Moore Entitlement – 10
Luke Aubrey
Tristan Broomhall
Grant Dodd
Kristine Fleming
Jen Heath
Renee Skehan
Lesley Stace
Michelle Steel
Brenda Wann
District 12: Morley Entitlement – 7
Chris Henley
Stephanie Hughes
District 13: Murray Entitlement – 7
Lori Anders
Lesley Griffiths
Ric Holster
Karin Jackson
District 14: Perth Entitlement – 10
Nike Browning
Pat Burke
James Cassidy
Rick McMahon
Peter O'Neill
Sam Testa
District 15: Riverton Entitlement – 10
Bradley Carlé
Kai Griffiths
Jessica Jenkin
Rachel Kealley
Ngaire Lowry
Belinda Mahood
Gordon Traynor
District 16:
Rockingham Entitlement – 15
Christina Chabros
Gary Davies
Gary Hedger
Annette Hider
Aleesha McKenna-Green
Sarah Murray
Paul Otto
Michelle Pilkington
Graham Rees
Donna Sparke
Vanessa Williamson
District 17: Scarborough Entitlement – 6
Allan Bertram
Chloe Bravos
Ramona Carroll
Andrew Dawson
Judi Harrison-Ellis
Kellie Ketteringham
District 18: Stirling Entitlement – 7
Rob Berwick
Ken Cornwell
Virginia Mercer
Alison Quinn
Jason Seal
District 19: Swan Entitlement – 9
Amy Blitvich
Kayla Chester
Shaaron Cullen
Brendon Nutt
Jamie Petrides
Nicola Sorrell
Chris Spencer
Sandra Szopski
Helen Whooley
District 20: Victoria Park Entitlement – 7
Heather Gerrard
Paul Knapton
Ainsley Poon
Richard Sheppard
James Youd
The following states and territories have signed bilateral agreements under the Full and Fair Funding Agreement and they have been publicly released. The WA bilateral agreement to achieve 100 per cent of the Schooling Resource Standard (SRS) was released via the federal government’s education website with no media release from the WA government when this occurred (2 September).
Whilst it is clear from the first table below how the four per cent depreciation tax is being returned to WA public school funding, what has not been explained by either level of government is why the WA deal includes introducing and then increasing school transport costs into the formula commencing in 2030. It is also clear from this breakdown the WA government is choosing to allocate above the required 75 per cent of the SRS agreement until 2033 which is coinciding with the decrease in the four per cent tax. Unfortunately, this component of the formula still prevents the WA contribution ever reaching 75 per cent until 2034. For example, in 2025 the WA government contribution is 76.25 per cent; when the four per cent is withdrawn the true SRS contribution of the WA state government is 72.25 per cent. This leads to the conclusion the WA state government does not contribute a 75 per cent rate until 2034. Also evident from this table is how the WA government has clearly negotiated a deal with the federal government allowing it to allocate some of its contribution to offset public school transport costs. As a consequence of this negotiation the final and highest SRS contribution created by this agreement reaches 97.99 per cent in 2034.
It is fact that WA public school students are receiving an increased contribution from the state and federal governments thanks to this new agreement. However, public schools are not getting total funding of 100 per cent. Nor are they getting equivalent funding to private schools, which do continue to get a 100 per cent SRS co-contribution rate throughout this period over the next decade.
These following bilateral agreements do not reflect the above breakdown although each, other than the ACT agreement, is known to also include state government negotiations which have impacted their true SRS co-contribution agreements.
The ACT bilateral agreement to achieve 100 per cent of the SRS is:
The Queensland bilateral agreement to achieve 100 per cent of the SRS is:
The NSW bilateral agreement to achieve 100 per cent of the SRS is:
The SA bilateral agreement to achieve 100 per cent of the SRS is:
The Tasmanian bilateral agreement to achieve 100 per cent of the SRS is:
An independently commissioned report by the AEU was recently released, titled: Teachers are the key to national productivity: New report warns against deskilling Australia’s education system.
The report identifies six findings and five recommendations; there is a consistency to matters identified by the membership of the SSTUWA over the last three years throughout this report.
Alen Kursar, principal of Como Secondary College, attended the National Teacher Workforce Plan Roundtable discussion hosted by Federal Education Minister Jason Clare on 19 September representing SSTUWA school leaders. Alen reported the focus of the discussion was:
• The future of AITSL standards.
• Attraction and retention challenges in remote locations across the country.
• A national registry of teachers.
• Identification of issues emanating from system cultures and their links to teacher recruitment and retention.
• Understaffing and workforce challenges as experienced across the country.
The AEU is coordinating a submission to the Australian Government Review into the Disability Standards, with submissions due by 21 November. The SSTUWA branch and the NSWTF have both expressed interest to support a joint submission. More information can be found at: https://bit.ly/3WeTJ69
The AEU is represented on the Go Public! Fund Education high level campaign reference group by AEU Federal President Correna Haythorpe. Reports show that the campaign continues to exceed all expectations which is in no small part due to the AEU’s political and financial support. While the campaign continues to be embraced far and wide, in 2025 member organisations in more than 40 countries have benefitted from direct EI Go Public! Fund Education financial and/or strategic campaign support. They are:
• Africa – Cameroon, South Sudan, Eswatini, Chad, Lesotho, Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zimbabwe, Cape Verde, Angola and Togo.
• Asia Pacific – Mongolia, Indonesia, Nepal, Philippines, Malaysia, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.
• Latin America – Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay, Costa Rica, Colombia, Brazil, Peru, Chile, Honduras and Dominican Republic.
• North America/Caribbean – St Vincent and the Grenadines, Guyana and Jamaica.
• Europe – Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal, France and Cyprus.
• Arab Countries Cross-regional Structure – Lebanon, Iraq and Morocco.
Both public educator unions in the US are currently facing state-level bans on public sector union dues deduction and the National Education Association (NEA) is running a counter-campaign to convert members to bank/credit card dues payments. NEA’s organising department is hosting a conference for state organisers and campaign leaders on this topic on Wednesday, 19 November in Chicago, Illinois.
The AEU is hoping to convene a panel that highlights international partners who have faced similar attacks and showcase their campaigns, lessons learned and ongoing organising techniques, while making connections to broader attacks on public sector unions.
The AEU has joined global education unions in signing a solidarity letter for Ukraine which was organised by the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). This letter has been sent to the Ukraine Embassy in the US who have confirmed that they will be passing it to the offices of President Zelenskyy and Minister Sybiha. The Embassy extended their heartfelt gratitude on this matter to the AFT. The AEU has provided a courtesy copy of the letter to His Excellency Mr Vasyl Myroshnychenko, Ambassador of Ukraine to Australia.
1. That a senior officer report.
2. That the report be received.
Recommendations:
1. That the branch president report.
2. That the report be received.
3. That the decisions from the SSTUWA November 2025 State Council Conference be endorsed.