Casual and temporary employment
Casual and temporary teaching is a great way to gain an introduction to the NSW public education system. It provides valuable experience for teachers just starting out as well as those seeking variety and new experiences in their careers.
More than 5,000 graduate teachers apply for employment in our schools each year. Many of these new teachers start their career with us as casual and temporary teachers prior to receiving permanent jobs.
There are opportunities for casual and temporary teaching in most areas of NSW and you will greatly increase your chances of obtaining employment if you are able to accept teaching engagements in non-coastal country areas or in south western and western Sydney.
As a casual teacher you will be employed on a day-to-day basis replacing permanent teachers who are absent or participating in other activities. Casual teachers are paid a daily rate, based on years of training and experience, which is loaded to include a component for sick leave and vacation pay. In 2010, a four year trained teacher will earn around $300 per day depending on experience.
As a temporary teacher you will be employed full-time for a month or more or part-time for two terms or more. Temporary teachers receive most of the entitlements of permanent teachers, including annual salary, on a pro-rata basis.
Casual and temporary teaching does not affect your application for permanent employment.
Benefits of casual and temporary teaching
Casual and temporary employment is a preferred option for teachers wanting flexibility in order to balance work and family responsibilities. For teachers awaiting permanent appointment, casual and temporary employment provides great opportunities to further develop professional skills. More importantly, you could gain an offer of permanent employment more quickly through the Teacher Employment Priority Scheme (TEPS).
TEPS enables you to accelerate your priority date for permanent employment. Depending on the schools in which you work, your priority date for permanent employment may be accelerated by up to 18 months for every 50 days of casual or temporary service in NSW public schools. Further information about TEPS is available from our website www.teach.nsw.edu.au/teps.
Other benefits of casual and temporary employment include:
- flexible hours
- opportunities to travel throughout NSW
- experiencing teaching in other parts of the curriculum
- enjoying different experiences daily.
In addition, temporary teachers may benefit from locality and climate allowances in some areas, a range of extra leave options and vacation pay.
Casual and temporary employment opportunities for graduates
Graduates who have received their interim casual teaching approval are eligible to work as a teacher in our schools.
Approved teachers are automatically registered with Casual.Direct, the Department’s computerised casual teacher staffing system providing casual teachers to schools upon request.
Teachers registered with Casual.Direct are also considered for temporary teaching opportunities by the Teacher Relief Scheme to assist schools in covering longer term temporary vacancies.
Teachers who have an approval to teach may contact schools directly and advise of their availability for casual and temporary teaching.
Advertised temporary teacher vacancies are published on the teach.NSW website at www.teach.nsw.edu.au/vacancies.
