Launceston Christian School Enterprise Agreement approved
The new Enterprise Agreement for Launceston Christian School was approved on 28 April by the Fair Work Commission and will come into legal effect on 5 May 2025. The Agreement has a nominal expiry date of 31 December 2028.
This approval represents a significant achievement for IEU members at the school, all of whom recently endorsed the Agreement. Key gains include a 4% average salary increase per year, a clearer classification structure, removal of performance-based progression, reimbursement for Working with Vulnerable People (WWVP) certification costs, additional leave entitlements for personal circumstances, and the inclusion of miscarriage and stillbirth in compassionate leave. Teacher aides will also benefit from a higher hourly pay rate by being reclassified.
IEU members described the Agreement as a “fantastic step forward” for Education Support Staff at LCS, reflecting the high value placed on these roles by both the employer and the wider school community.
The Agreement clarifies career progression pathways for education support staff, guaranteeing automatic annual progression within their classification and the opportunity to apply for reclassification to a higher level if they meet most requirements.
Additionally, changes to the performance management process have created greater consistency across the school by aligning ES staff procedures with those already in place for teachers. Previously, the lack of alignment had hindered progression opportunities for ES staff.
An LCS IEU member said, “The 4% annual increases and the reclassification opportunities for lower-paid staff will make a real difference. This outstanding result reinforces the importance of claims aimed at retaining, attracting, and investing in ES staff. The IEU is intensifying efforts to ensure these essential staff are properly classified, fairly compensated, and provided with equitable working conditions.”
Further achievements in the Agreement include:
Refund of costs for mandatory Working with Vulnerable People (WWVP) certification.
Increase in Family and Domestic Violence Leave to 15 days.
Alignment of Exceptional Personal Circumstances Leave wording with the teacher Enterprise Agreement.
Expansion of Compassionate Leave
Increase in Paid Parental Leave to 14 weeks, and Paid Partner Leave to 2 weeks.
Enhanced redundancy provisions exceeding National Employment Standards (NES).
Increase in the Vehicle Allowance
Paid induction for new staff.
Recognition of Easter Tuesday as a paid public holiday for Education Support (ES) staff.
Clarification that Student Free Days are fully paid for staff.
