Organisation of Education Support Staff Work

Hours of work

VGSA2022 24(5). A full-time education support staff member will be in attendance for a minimum of 7.6 hours daily between 8 am and 6 pm Monday to Friday, to a maximum of 38 hours. Individual staff may negotiate attendance periods outside the hours of 8 am and 6pm where this is consistent with the role of the employee. Hours of attendance for education support staff are negotiated between the employee and the Director of Operations and Resources with the Principal having regard for the operational requirements of the College. To meet OH&S requirements, staff leaving the College grounds during the school day are required to sign in and out using Compass.

Time in lieu

For ES staff, it will be assumed that TIL is granted for time worked outside of normal hours if required for certain PDs like anaphylaxis etc. or duties such as supporting parent/teacher interviews. These will still require individual documentation but are deemed approved. These extra duties however can be compensated by reduced work hours on the day by negotiation. For all other TIL, approval must be granted prior to the hours being worked. Any ES staff who are required to attend during a vacation period will be paid the leave purchase allowance as per the TIL Policy and in line with The Agreement, clause 24(5).

In line with their employment mode the Director of Operations and Resources and Office Administrator will be in attendance in the week prior to the start of term as agreed.

Performance and Development:

ES staff will be provided with time to participate in the Performance and Development process. This will be key dated on the College Calendar and normally associated with, but not limited to, student free days, parent/teacher interview days or whole school events such as swimming or athletics carnivals.


Organisation of ES class work

The following will occur:

  • All ES staff working within the arrangements as outlined within VGSA2017.

  • Recall days are negotiated between the Director of Operations and Resources, the supervisor of the area of work and the employee. Recall days are only requested where work is of necessity.

  • Education Support staff may also be allocated yard duty in areas under supervision by a teaching staff member.

  • Where supervision of students is an integral part of the ES role, the ES staff member will know and have the contact details of a teaching staff member(s) responsible for the duty of care. This list will be published at the beginning of each term/year or as required.

  • All ES positions are created with the Dimensions of Work applicable to the level of classification in mind. If an ES staff member is of the belief they are working beyond their dimensions of work, they can request a Range Review by the Executive Team and complete the appropriate documentation.

  • Where ES staff members are required to attend meetings outside of their normal work hours, approved time in lieu will accrue.


Note: Teaching staff are reminded that ES staff are unavailable during their 30-minute unpaid lunch break and must be taken no later than 5 hrs after the commencement of work.

Payment of 12 month contracts

For ES staff on a 12 month contract, as per DET HR guidelines.



Ongoing/contract staffing profile for teachers and ES

As the Agreement states, the standard mode of employment for both teachers and ES is ongoing. Every effort will be made at Heathmont College to ensure that as many staff as possible are in ongoing positions or translated to ongoing positions whenever the school has capacity. A profile of how many teachers and ES are ongoing and, for those on contract a breakdown of how many on contract for which reasons can be requested through Consultative.


The structure of selection and other panels for the purpose of making recommendations to the principal

Selection panels will be established for the purpose of making a recommendation to the Principal for the following:

1. Positions advertised within the College: eg: Organisational Duties, including positions attracting a Higher Duties (HD). These panels will consist of a minimum of three people, at least one of which must be trained in the principles of Merit and Equity, and gender balance must be observed. One member of this panel will be the Principal or the Principal’s nominee.

2. Positions advertised externally via Recruitment online (ROL). These panels will comprise at least three people and will be established by the Principal team. At least one of which will be a member of the Principal team who is trained in the principles of Merit and Equity; the remaining two members will be selected based on staff expertise/knowledge of the position, and gender balance. Where possible and appropriate, the panel will include the Domain Leader or the specific area manager. ES panels will include the Director of School Operations and Resources.