It's time to value Victorian Casual Relief Teachers

I’m Jennifer, I’m a Casual Relief Teacher (CRT) in Victorian public schools, and a proud AEU member.

Every day, schools rely on CRTs like me to step in when teachers are sick, on leave, or attending professional learning.

However, CRTs here in Victoria are paid over $100 less per day than CRTs in New South Wales for doing the same job. It is simply not right.

I start many mornings at 6:30am waiting for the phone to ring, ready to travel wherever I’m needed. I might walk into a classroom of students I’ve never met, in a school I’ve never worked in before, and deliver a full day of learning.

That means quickly building relationships with students, adapting to different subjects and year levels, and maintaining a positive and productive learning environment with very little notice.

It’s specialised work. But right now, Victoria does not properly value the CRTs that keep our schools running.

If the Victorian Government wants schools to function properly, it must better recognise the role CRTs play in supporting students.

The Victorian Government must act to support and retain casual relief teachers by:

1. Increasing the rate of pay for CRTs in Victorian public schools

2. Providing better access to professional learning

3. Exploring access to the portable long service leave scheme

These changes would help ensure Victorian public schools can continue to rely on CRTs to support students.