Catholic Independent Schools - Check The Salaries First!

Some independent schools, particularly those with high fees, have always paid salaries greater than those in Catholic systemic or public schools. It is now the case that all NSW non-Catholic independent schools pay higher salaries than systemic schools including those with relatively low fees.

However, teachers considering applying for a position in a NSW Catholic independent school should contact the Union to check salaries
and conditions.

Very few Catholic independent schools, regardless of their fees, pay higher salaries.

The top salary rate for teachers applying from February next year is in excess of $87,000 pa (see table). 120 schools have entered into federal agreements with the Union to pay this salary including Anglican, Uniting, Jewish and Islamic schools. Only four Catholic independent schools have agreed to pay this rate.

All other non-Catholic independent schools have entered into agreements between the Union and the AIS on either the federal or NSW industrial systems to pay a top rate in excess of $85,000 pa from February next year. Again only four Catholic independent schools have agreed to pay this salary.

While some Catholic independent schools have always aligned salaries with diocesan schools, others have agreed to pay higher rates. Now four Catholic independent schools that used to pay salaries under the independent schools award have refused to reach a new agreement with the Union. These schools — St Vincent’s College, Rosebank, Chevalier and St Mary’s Star of the Sea — claim their offer is “fair and reasonable”.  Yet it is lower than the salary applying in the lowest fee Anglican, Christian and Islamic schools serving low socio-economic areas.

Three other schools, Santa Sabina, OLMC Parramatta and Brigidine St Ives have also refused to reach a salaries agreement with the Union.

These schools have distinguished themselves in the past by paying a higher salary than the independent schools award. Now they propose to pay a rate lower than any non-Catholic independent school in the state.

The Union is continuing discussions with representatives of the seven schools in the hope of reaching an agreement.

The Union does not accept that Catholic independent schools with fees comparable or higher than non Catholic schools should seek to reduce traditional salary relativities. There is no valid justification for Catholic schools paying teachers less than other like schools.

Teachers should check salaries payable in Catholic schools before applying for a position as you may get an unwelcome surprise.

Top of the scale teacher salaries
Catholic independent schools
1 July 2010