ES roles, levels and progression

Education Support staff perform essential roles in schools, but classification structures and career pathways can sometimes be unclear.

Because classifications affect pay and job responsibilities, it is important that ES staff understand how levels, duties and progression pathways operate.

Classification scales and descriptors differ between different schools and are be located either in an IEU-negotiated Agreement or the General Staff Award – links to all of these can be found on our website.

The following guide outlines the ES structure and steps members can take if their current role no longer aligns with their classification.

Why classifications matter

•      Your classification determines your pay rate

•      It should reflect the actual work you perform

•      Incorrect classifications can lead to underpayment

•      Classifications are also linked to duties, responsibility and autonomy.

How the classification structure works

•      Education Support staff are classified into levels

•      Each level reflects increasing skill, responsibility and complexity

•      Your role description and day-to-day duties are both important

•      Employers cannot simply choose the lowest level if the work performed is higher.

Common ES classification areas

•      Administration and clerical work

•      Learning support / integration aide work

•      Library and ICT support

•      Student wellbeing and pastoral support

•      Laboratory, maintenance and technical roles.

Typical indicators of higher classifications

•      Working with limited supervision

•      Coordinating or supervising other staff

•      Specialist knowledge or qualifications

•      Managing complex student or administrative needs

•      Responsibility for programs, systems or compliance.

Questions to ask about your classification

•      What level am I currently classified at?

•      Does my role description match the work I actually perform?

•      Have my duties increased over time?

•      Am I regularly performing higher-level duties?

•      Has my position ever been reviewed?

Workload and classification creep

•      Many ES staff experience gradual increases in duties

•      Additional responsibilities may justify a higher classification

•      Collective conversations with colleagues help identify patterns.

What members can do

•      Keep records of changing duties and expectations

•      Document examples of higher-level work

•      Compare duties with colleagues in similar roles

•      Review your position description

•      Raise concerns with your IEU Rep or Organiser

•      Work collectively where possible

•      Contact the Member Services Unit for assistance.