Originally published in Education Quarterly, Issue 16 2025
By Katinka Kastner (Membership and Training Officer)
In 2025 the Beginning Teacher Support Funding model was replaced with the Beginning Teacher Support Entitlement.
Under the entitlement, additional release time is provided through a staffing entitlement allocated to schools.
WHAT IS THE ENTITLEMENT?
| Teachers | School entitlement |
| Eligible first year teachers | Eligible first-year teachers |
| Eligible permanent second year teachers | 0.042 FTE entitlement for 12 months, which equates to one hour of additional release per week |
| Eligible part-time permanent teachers | Will be provided on a pro-rata basis according to the number of days worked by the teacher under their permanent appointment |
Permanent teachers are eligible if they:
- are employed in their first permanent teaching appointment with the Department
- require mandatory accreditation
- have not yet achieved accreditation at Proficient Teacher level at the date they enter on duty (for first year entitlement)
- have not yet achieved accreditation at Proficient Teacher level prior to second year (for second year entitlement).
Temporary teachers are eligible if they:
- are employed in their first, consecutive four-term (calendar year), full-time temporary engagement
- are employed under temporary engagements and approved in SAP by 5pm on 1 March in the year of engagement
- require mandatory accreditation
- have not yet achieved accreditation at Proficient Teacher level when they start their temporary engagement.
Department policy states it is the principal’s responsibility to “ensure eligible beginning teachers are made aware of the support”. If you’re not receiving your entitlement, speak with your principal first. It’s a good idea to come prepared to meetings, so you could take the Beginning Teacher Support Entitlement policy, this article and a support person with you.
It is Federation’s position that all teachers — including pre-service, beginning, casual, and part-time temporary teachers — should be provided with support.
The first few years of teaching are often the most challenging, so if you feel you require additional support, reach out to your supervisor to discuss this in the first instance.
Federation supports early career teachers through free Beginning Teacher Conferences and Courses held at various locations across NSW. We strongly encourage you to visit our website to find a course or conference near you.
For further information and advice, please contact your Federation Organiser or call Professional Support.