Tasmanian Catholic schools Agreement benefits Education Support staff

Education Support staff in Tasmanian Catholic schools are beginning to see the benefits of a new Agreement which includes long-overdue workload improvements.

One of the most significant changes is the introduction of guaranteed paid break times, providing clear and enforceable protections against excessive workload. The new Agreement establishes a paid 10-minute break for ES staff, with the option to combine it into a 20-minute rest period.

This provision makes a significant difference – ensuring that staff are not only recognised for their efforts but also given the opportunity to recharge during their day.

Some schools are implementing these changes in innovative ways. Where traditional break times are difficult to schedule, certain timetables now allow for early finishes to help staff take their entitled rest. This flexibility is helping schools meet the new requirements in a way that supports both staff wellbeing and operational needs.

According to feedback gathered by IEU Organisers, most ES staff have already had their breaks scheduled or are actively working with school leadership to implement them in a way that suits their specific context.

These conversations have helped ensure the changes are practical, tailored, and respectful of each school’s unique structure.

The IEU pushed strongly for these improvements after identifying that many teacher assistants were previously working without any paid break – an oversight the new Agreement aims to rectify once and for all.

By securing these entitlements in a legally binding document, staff now have a reliable foundation that protects their right to rest during the workday.

These gains highlight the power of collective action. It’s the persistence and unity of members that delivered such concrete workload improvements.

Ensuring these conditions are clearly defined and enforceable is what makes a real difference in the day-to-day lives of ES staff – and why member campaigns remain essential to securing fairer, more balanced workplaces.