Improvements to Band A Tenure

At a press conference on 21 November 2024, the Minister announced proposed changes to Band A tenure arrangements. This work is the outcome of the Minister’s announcement in December 2023 that the department will develop a policy position effecting principal and preschool director permanency outside of the proposed enterprise agreement.

An outline of the proposal

The proposal is summarised in the department’s Band A Tenure Roadmap:

Policy provisions to make the initial tenure of most Band A appointments 10 years.
Replacement of the existing Band A reappointment process with one where tenure renewal for up to 10 years, if sought by an incumbent, would be the system’s default setting with non-extension by exception in cases where there are documented, formal underperformance processes in train.
Introduction of a central panel to manage disputes, including an appeal process.
Revision of Band A role descriptions, merit selection and performance and development arrangements.

The potential benefits of the policy are:

Increased certainty for individual employees on career and benefits.
A positive incentive for prospective applicants to apply for Band A roles.
Productivity benefits flowing from Band A leaders having greater capacity to take a long term view in a role.
The opportunity to introduce more contemporary and relevant merit selection and performance development arrangements.

The Tenure Roadmap indicates that implementation will begin in 2026 and a structured process for evaluation and potential future enhancement through to 2028. This model of policy development is a continuum that is purposefully designed to enable adjustments to be made as labour market conditions change and additional evaluative evidence becomes available.

The process

For much of 2024, SASSLA and the Principal and Preschool Director Associations worked collaboratively in discussions with the department on the policy position to be taken. We refer to our collaboration as a single entity – the Joint Associations.

The document submission from the Joint Associations October 2024 provides a clear overview of the positions put by the Joint Associations and the department that enabled the consensus to be reached on the policy position being released.

The submission provides information on key matters that framed discussion around the current policy release and incorporates the longer-term interests of the Joint Associations. Areas of note are:

How member feedback from the Joint Associations survey, from over 100 members, was incorporated into five key evaluative criteria used to be used for policy assessment.
The development of a conceptual model for understanding the demand and supply characteristics of the Band A labour market. This model has high value in understanding rates of vacancy creation and the supply of future aspirants to Band A positions. It also highlights the different risk factors in the school and preschool sectors.
It sets out medium term priorities including a firm undertaking that future contract reappointments will be underpinned by continuity of classification and remuneration.

A future focus

Policy is a dynamic process that requires a disciplined focus on review and evaluation. The Joint Associations have a continuing role in the implementation and review of the new policy position. We will fine tune our mechanisms for engaging with members and presenting evidence and analysis to the department.

The process has highlighted the value of the Associations working together bringing their diverse contextual knowledge and capabilities to the shaping of system wide policy. It frames a new way of working together in the future.

Testimonials

I have been a SASSLA member for 20 years and have found their assistance invaluable as a school leader and even more so now that I am moving into a new role as an Education Director. It has been reassuring to know that I have access to expert advice in stressful times and someone to talk to who gives an impartial voice on leadership issues. The service I received from Tindall Gask Bentley Lawyers was brilliant. They are highly experienced in Departmental policies and procedures and assisted me during a very vulnerable time. I am glad I made the switch 20 years ago!

Deb O'Neill, Education Director

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Deb O'Neill, Education Director

SASSLA has been a necessary and valued support, especially during a period of extreme work based trauma. I have found Mardi Barry’s assistance to be prompt, approachable and most understanding and the advice from Amber Sprague at TGB Lawyers enabled me to negotiate leave and workers compensation to ensure an eventual return to good health.

I have been impressed by the professionalism of Phil O’Loughlin and Leanne James who enable the voices of rural leaders to be heard and valued. Their tireless work in seriously rethinking the role, workload and issues of principals will make an enormous difference for future leaders.

Lesley Okholm, Principal

I have been a SASSLA member for over 15 years and worked in both country and metropolitan schools. I have always appreciated SASSLA’s strong advocacy work on behalf of all leaders. I am fortunate to have experienced the compassion, support, and expert advice of SASSLA’s Chief Executive, Phil O’Loughlin, in partnership with the legal support of Tindall Gask Bentley Lawyers, during a challenging professional time. I highly recommend SASSLA to education leaders.

Matt Saunders, Principal

My SASSLA membership is an essential, professional investment in a service and resource I could not go without. Knowing I can make a call to SASSLA enables immediate communication to take place in a confidential and reassuring context when faced with unforeseen challenges. They actively listen with clarity and provide recommendations of action during conversations. All matters are dealt with great sensitivity and care.

Dina Zunis, Principal
Primary Principal of the Year 2021

Whilst other associations and the Department talk about leader well-being, it has only been SASSLA who has provided the care, concern and professional guidance for me over the past two years. As leaders we often hear of others enduring stressful times and it is easy to gossip, dismiss or think it won’t happen to us and walk away. I hope no-one has to endure what I have, but if you do, you can’t afford not to belong to SASSLA.

Lynne-Maree Hastings, Principal

Being a member of SASSLA provides me with support and care as a Preschool Director. The representation of early childhood education within the Association is a priority as is the challenges associated with this leadership role. SASSLA has been instrumental in working with other Associations to discuss Directors’ workload and the Enterprise Agreement around the 24 hour face to face teaching time. My issues and concerns are always addressed promptly and in particular Phil O’Loughlin has always ensured my wellbeing is of the utmost importance. I would recommend membership to all Preschool Directors as the personalised representation and recognition of our work is a key focus.

Nicole Otto, Preschool Director

As a principal, you can often feel under siege when battling vexatious complaints, whether it be responding to Ministerials, mediating conflict in the workplace or managing underperforming staff. I received very little support from other sources and only ever felt like SASSLA appreciated the effort I was making to provide children with a quality education which they deserve.SASSLA understands the pressures and the unique conditions that school leaders experience daily. Without SASSLA’s support and guidance, I am not sure how I would have made it through these complex situations. The work SASSLA does is invaluable, and I encourage school leaders to join and be protected and supported by SASSLA.

Catherine Cox-Walliss, former Principal

Joining SASSLA has afforded me the greatest level of professional support I could possibly have hoped for. It provided me the opportunity to be heard meaningfully and with the assumption of good intent. The Association has shown great expertise in both legal and departmental processes, as well as holding clear understandings about management and site context. I will continue to appreciate their professional network and membership.

Betty Elsworthy, Preschool Director

I see my SASSLA membership as a type of insurance policy. It’s my support network to fall back on in possible times of crisis. Knowing that I have legal assistance a phone call away and financial assistance with legal costs gives me peace of mind. It’s reassuring to know that I have genuine peer support now and throughout my future career.

Ilia Tsoutouras, Education Director

I became a member of SASSLA in my first year as a Primary School Principal. The immediate and responsive support I received from Phil O'Loughlin and the entire team provided me with the skills and knowledge required to navigate some complex decision making and change management. Balancing the needs and entitlements of students and staff with the expectations of the wider community provided many challenges. SASSLA's expertise and understanding of the Department’s policies and procedures provided me with the foundation and confidence to navigate these challenges. Their unconditional support and advice was instrumental in achieving positive outcomes for our school community. I can't thank them enough and recommend membership to all leaders.

Adam Blakely, Principal

Without the support of SASSLA I would not have stayed connected to and be continuing in my chosen and much loved career. It is so important that Principals have the full support and confidence of the Department. My very public legal case highlighted the fragility of the system when support and confidence dissipates in the face of political interference, media attacks and intolerance. SASSLA gave me support and encouragement during a very difficult time and when it seemed that no-one else would listen

Sue Burtenshaw, Principal

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