Three new enterprise agreements (EAs) negotiated by the union came into force in February, with better pay and conditions for Catholic school leaders in NSW and the ACT
The union negotiated the EAs for principals in NSW and the ACT (excluding Broken Bay Diocese) in 2025.
The negotiations addressed key priorities identified by principals, including salary growth, workload, leave entitlements, wellbeing and professional responsibilities.
In December 2025, principals voted in favour of all three agreements, strongly endorsing the negotiated outcomes.
The EAs were lodged with the Fair Work Commission at the end of Term 4, 2025, received formal approval in February and are now legally enforceable.
The three EAs, covering a three-year term, include a 3% annual salary increase for principals – maintaining alignment with teacher and support staff increases.
In addition, a one-off Cost of Living Adjustment may be triggered if the Consumer Price Index exceeds 4.5% during the agreement period, further safeguarding principals’ remuneration.
The union also won important improvements in parental leave provisions.
Superannuation will now continue to be paid during employer-funded parental leave, and primary caregivers have greater flexibility to share leave entitlements within the first two years following the birth of a child.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural and ceremonial leave of up to three days a year has also been introduced.
Workplace wellbeing and safety measures have been strengthened.
Principals are now entitled to at least one uninterrupted 30-minute meal break daily.
Travel allowances have increased to $0.84 per kilometre, with the previous 100-kilometre cap removed.
And access to delegates’ rights has been enhanced, reflecting updated Fair Work Act provisions.
Proposals such as a reduction in the 10-week notice period were not adopted due to the complexity of principal roles. But diocesan employers have indicated a willingness to consider supplementary arrangements in areas such as workers’ compensation.
Long service leave and classification for teaching principals in small schools remain matters of ongoing attention, with the union continuing to advocate for improvements.
With the agreements now in place, principals in NSW and the ACT have stronger pay parity, improved conditions, and enhanced workplace protections — a significant collective achievement for Catholic school leaders.
Read the original article in Newsmonth 2 (March 2026)
You can read more about the pay rises and improved conditions for each agreement via the links below:
This article is from the IEU’s Newsmonth 2 publication.
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