In late October 2025, after protracted bargaining, the IEU finally reached an agreement for two new replacement multi-enterprise agreements (MEAs) for teachers and general staff in NSW Christian schools represented by Christian Schools Australia (CSA).
A vote took place in early November with both teachers and general staff recording a strong YES vote, indicating overwhelming support for the new MEAs. This result demonstrates high confidence in the negotiated outcomes and locks in the improvements we achieved during bargaining, making them legally enforceable.
The IEU congratulates all IEU members in NSW Christian schools who engaged in both the bargaining and voting processes. Every improvement in these new MEAs was achieved because IEU members organised, spoke up, and stood united. That’s the power of being a union member.
Overview of the new MEAs
- Both MEAs will have a nominal expiry date of 31 March 2027 and contain guaranteed back pay from February 2024 if earlier increases have not yet been paid to staff
- Improved parental leave across both MEAs
- Expanded clause to reflect the additional eligibility criteria to request flexible work arrangements
- Expanded clause on casual conversion to include steps to exercise this right
- New delegates’ rights clause providing rights to IEU union reps to access union training, have access to workplace facilities such as union noticeboards, and to communicate with employees
- New right to disconnect clause
- Updating drafting of clauses to promote clarity
- Teachers:
- A new seven-step classification structure will be introduced from 1 July 2026. Check the proposed rates of pay here.
- General staff:
- Proposed pay rates for general staff can be found here
- School psychologists will now be covered by the MEA
- There will be no changes to classification structure
Pay rises
Over the MEAs three-year duration, teachers will receive a cumulative increase of 17.5% and general staff will receive 15%. The MEAs deliver pay increases as follows:
Employees in preschool and childcare services received an initial pay increase of up to 5% in February 2024 to ensure their rates remained competitive.
Results by school
While there are variations among schools, the total number of votes cast indicates strong engagement with the process.
| SCHOOL NAME | TEACHER YES VOTE | GENERAL STAFF YES VOTE |
| Arise Christian College | 100% | 100% |
| Belmont Christian College (pending) | 100% | 95% |
| Brewarrina Christian School | 100% | 100% |
| Burrabadine Christian Community School | 94% | 100% |
| Casino Christian School | 100% | 100% |
| Cedars Christian College | 100% | 96% |
| Charlton Christian College | 97% | 100% |
| Coast Christian School | 100% | 95% |
| Dubbo Christian School | 98% | 98% |
| Green Point Christian College | 99% | 92% |
| Greenacre Baptist Christian Community School | 100% | 93% |
| Hinterland Christian School | 100% | 100% |
| Hope Point Christian School | 100% | 93% |
| Liberty Christian College | 100% | 100% |
| Maitland Christian School | 100% | 98% |
| Midcoast Christian School | 100% | 100% |
| Moree Christian School | 100% | 100% |
| Nambucca Valley Christian Community School | 100% | 100% |
| Northcross Christian School | 86% | 100% |
| Norwest Christian College AND NGARRA | 96% | 78% |
| Nowra Christian School | 100% | 100% |
| Orange Christian School | 100% | 100% |
| Parkes Christian School | 96% | 100% |
| Penrith Christian School | 95% | 100% |
| Regents Park Christian School | 100% | 100% |
| Snowy Mountains Christian School | 100% | 100% |
| St Andrews Christian School | 95% | 100% |
| St George Christian School | 98% | 100% |
| Summerland Christian College | 90% | 100% |
| Toongabbie Christian College | 100% | 100% |
| Verity Christian College | 100% | 100% |
| Wellington Christian School | 63% | 100% |
| Wyong Christian Community School | 100% | 100% |
| Yanginanook School | 100% | 100% |
| Yattalunga Valley Christian School | 100% | 100% |
Next steps
Celebrate your new MEAs and spread the word. Share this win with your colleagues and encourage non-members to join the IEU. The more union members, the stronger your bargaining power. This means we can fight for and win better pay and conditions in your workplace. Non-members can read more about why it pays to join the IEU here.
Relevant links
- NSW Christian schools: Union secures strong pay rises in new agreement (November 2025)
- NewsExtra: NSW CSA Christian Schools – Vote YES! (28 October 2025)
- NewsExtra: NSW Christian Schools – Bargaining resumes (2 June 2025)
- Why join the IEU – read about why it pays to join your union!
- Looking for resources? Check out this page for our latest posters for your union noticeboard