World Support Staff Day on 16 May is an important day to recognise and celebrate our invaluable colleagues – professional, administrative and support staff.
Support staff are an essential part of our schools. The IEU is proud to be the voice for thousands of professional, administrative, operational and support staff in independent schools and services across NSW and the ACT. Our members are administrative staff, Aboriginal Education Officers, teacher’s aides, laboratory assistants and library assistants, canteen staff, nurses, counsellors, boarding-house supervisors, bus drivers, grounds-keepers, archivists and many other non-teaching employees in the non-government education sector.
World Support Staff day is an initiative of Education International, the global federation of more than 370 education unions, including the IEU.
Everything that happens in our schools that enables teachers to teach starts with support staff.
On 16 May, we urge everyone to say a big thank you to all support staff across NSW and the ACT for their incredible work.
WATCH: HAPPY WORLD SUPPORT STAFF DAY!
MESSAGES FROM IEU’S 2025 MARCH COUNCIL
Members offered messages of appreciation for support staff in their schools at the March 2025 meeting of IEU Council.
“I’d like to give a big shout out this World Support Staff Day to all the Aboriginal education officers, all the IT workers, all the learning support assistants, all the grounds and maintenance staff. We couldn’t do our work without you.” – Alex Thompson, rep at Canberra Grammar School
“Happy World Support Staff Day, particularly to those great people who are support staff in Brindabella Christian College.” – Andrew Dane, Vice President ACT
“Happy Support Staff Day everyone, especially those at Penola. We can’t do our work as teachers without you. You are invaluable to us, so we hope you feel valued. Have a great day.” – Liz Heggart, Vice President Systemic.
“We can’t actually do the job without any of you. You are the integral backbone of our schools. So, thank you very much, especially to the Learning Support team at St Francis.” – Jacob Betts, rep at St Francis Xavier College, Florey, ACT, and member of the IEU Executive.
“A big shout out to St Carthage’s, to all the support staff at our school. You are wonderful.” – Jennifer Allen, rep at St Carthage’s Primary School, Lismore.
“Happy World Support Staff Day to our wonderful people at St Francis Xavier Primary School. You’re awesome.” – Kath Egan, rep at St Francis Xavier Primary School, Ballina.
“Thank you to my school, St Clare’s College at Waverley. You do an amazing job and keep us all running so smoothly.” – Louise Armstrong, rep at St Clare’s College, Waverley.
“Thank you to all of my support staff colleagues at Presbyterian Ladies College. Thank you for all the help that you give us each and every day. You’re wonderful.” – Michelle Mella, rep at Presbyterian Ladies College, Croydon, and member of the IEU Executive.
“Happy World Support Staff Day, but especially to my colleagues at Catherine McAuley College in Medowie. We love you and the place couldn’t run without you.” – Sarah Gardiner, Religious Education Coordinator at Catherine McAuley College, Medowie, member of the IEU Executive.
“Thank you to all the support staff in all our schools around Australia, but an even bigger shout out to all the Maitland-Newcastle support staff. You’re all gems and no schools can work without you. We love you.” – Steven Newman, Hunter Valley Sub Branch Council member.
More support staff news from the IEU
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Media release: IEU statement on Redeemer Baptist School
The union representing teachers and support staff in non-government schools in NSW and the ACT is deeply concerned by media reports at the weekend and today about Redeemer Baptist School in North Parramatta.
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Spotlight on reps – TASC reps
IEU reps from schools affiliated with The Anglican Schools Corporation joined us for reps training. They discussed ways of building strong chapters to increase bargaining power for all members. Jess Castleden – St Luke’s Grammar School, Bayview Jess Castleden is a Year 6 teacher at St Luke’s Grammar School’s junior campus in Bayview. Jess previously…
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Classroom behaviour: Union welcomes more support for teachers
The IEU supports plans to improve initial teacher education and invest more in professional development in a bid to address unruly behaviour in classrooms. The plans are part of the federal government’s response to a Senate inquiry into increasing disruption in Australian school classrooms. Classroom disruption can impede student learning, contribute to lost teaching time…
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IEU Speaks on misleading NCCD compliance advice
Correcting misleading NCCD compliance advice circulating in schools Incorrect advice about NCCD compliance has been provided by several non-government school employers. The IEU confirms there are no changes to 2026 NCCD requirements. Read our full statement to ensure you have the correct information: IEU Speaks on misleading NCCD compliance advice Any members experiencing pressure to undertake…
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IEU Speaks on the federal budget’s hits and misses
Federal budget delivers vital support for essential workers, but falls short of ambitious education reforms The 2026 federal budget has delivered timely support to IEU members and their families dealing with cost-of-living pressures and soaring housing costs. However, it offers few new commitments for a continued program of education reform. Our union will continue to…
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World Support Staff Day 2026
World Support Staff Day on 16 May is an important day to recognise and celebrate our invaluable colleagues – professional, administrative and support staff. Support staff are an essential part of our schools. The IEU is proud to be the voice for thousands of professional, administrative, operational and support staff in independent schools and services…
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IEU Speaks on federal budget priorities for IEU members
The upcoming federal budget can provide vital relief and support for IEU members. Next Tuesday’s federal budget is an opportunity to keep education at the centre of national policy and deliver much-needed financial relief for IEU members and their families. The federal government has, in recent years, begun to address long-term underinvestment in schools and…
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Respect @ ASPECT: Survey reveals unfair pay and safety issues
The IEU met with Aspect representatives on 4 March to discuss serious safety issues and unfair pay raised by IEU members employed as teacher aides. Aspect (Autism Spectrum Australia) is a large autism-specific services provider. It operates schools across NSW as well as employing staff to work in satellite classes attached to government and non-government…
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Media release: Union backs MP’s call to scrap exemptions to anti-discrimination law
The union representing teachers and support staff in non-government schools in NSW and the ACT backs Sydney Independent MP Alex Greenwich’s call during Mardi Gras to scrap religious exemptions that make it legal to discriminate against school staff and students.
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NSW Christian Schools MEAs 2024
The new enterprise agreements (EAs) for teaching staff and general staff employed in NSW Christian Schools have been approved by the Fair Work Commission (FWC). Read an overview of the new NSW Christian Schools MEAs, including information on pay rises (Nov 2025) Further information LATEST NEWS FOR CHRISTIAN INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS