Induction handbook – teacher aides
Contents
Welcome ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 2
Understanding the organisation .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 2
Education Queensland ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 2
Regions ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3
Schools ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 3
Blue card ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3
Mandatory induction ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 4
Code of conduct and ethical decision-making .......................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Keys to managing information ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 4
Health, safety and wellbeing: if you are aware of it, take care of it ................................................................................................................................ 4
Managing risks in school curriculum activities ....................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Student protection ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 4
Internal controls .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Emergency procedures ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Workplace health & safety officers .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Health and safety representatives ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Employee Assistance Service (EAS) ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Hepatitis A and B vaccinations ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 6
Role of the teacher aide ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 6
Reporting relationships ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 6
Tasks you may be required to perform ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 6
Teacher aide classifications ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 6
TAOO2......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 6
TAOO3......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 6
TAOO4......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7
Salary................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 7
Pay advice ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 7
Taxation ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7
Superannuation ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7
Allowances ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 7
Conditions of your employment .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 8
Your award ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 8
Your certified agreement ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 8
Employment categories ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 8
Commencement advice ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 8
Proof of date of birth ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 8
Employee number ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 8
Probation ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 8
Hours of duty ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 8
Meal break ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 8
Rest pauses ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 8
1
Management of teacher aide hours .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 9
Accumulated days off................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 9
ADO calculator ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 9
Leave entitlements..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 9
Bus and playground supervision duties .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 9
Communication ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 9
Internet and intranet access ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 9
Staff communication ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 10
Professional development ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 10
First aid ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 10
Local consultative committees .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 10
References .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 11
Websites ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 11
Documents ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 11
Policy and procedures ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 11
Welcome
Congratulations on being selected to work with the students and teachers in an Education Queensland state school. You will
contribute to the delivery of world-class education programs designed to give young Queenslanders a passion for continued
learning and the best preparation for a successful working life.
The first phase of your own learning journey is induction. This booklet is designed to supplement the induction you receive at
your school and through your region.
Understanding the organisation
The Department of Education, Training and Employment (DETE) is one of the largest government agencies in Queensland.
Governance of the department rests with the Minister and the Assistant Minister, the Director-General and the Senior Executive
Team. Business units in central office in Brisbane develop and maintain legislation, policies and procedures, systems, reports and
relationships that support the work of the Senior Executive Team and staff delivering services in schools and institutes of TAFE.
The department delivers services in:
 school education through Education Queensland
 training and employment
 early childhood education and care.
Your role as a teacher aide sits within Education Queensland.
Your school is one of more than 1200 Queensland state schools. The DETE Organisational Structure shows the relationships
between schools, regions and the rest of the department.
Education Queensland
Education Queensland (EQ) has responsibility for educational regions and schools. Led by a Deputy Director-General, EQ officers
are responsible for:
 the overall policy directions of state schools
 implementation of school focused national partnership agreements
 the development of school leaders, teachers and teaching resources
 the implementation of such initiatives as the Australian Curriculum, Smart Classrooms and the transition of Year 7 to
junior secondary.
Cooperative arrangements with other parts of the department assist with these responsibilities. Information is also provided
online for parents and carers, students, schools and educators, and international students.
2
Regions
The state is divided into seven regions:
 South East
 Metropolitan
 North Coast
 Central Queensland
 Darling Downs South West
 North Queensland
 Far North Queensland
Each region is managed by a regional director who is responsible for all schools in his/her region.
In each region, regional officers undertake the following roles:
 human resources and finance support
 training and assistance for school principals and staff
 management of services provided by guidance officers, itinerant teachers and specialist support officers
 funding for students with additional needs
 other duties as required by the regional director.
You can find a mapand the location of all the schools in your region on the department’s website. You will find a diverse range of
educational sites on each map including:
 primary schools (Prep to Year 6/7)
 Prep to Year 10 (P-10 schools)
 high schools (Yr 7/8-Yr 12)
 Prep to Year 12 (P-12)
 special schools
 hospital schools
 positive learning centres and alternative schooling arrangements
 schools of distance education
 environmental education centres
 outdoor education centres
 centres for continuing secondary education
 youth education and training centres (in youth detention centres)
The work of teachers and teacher aides will vary between the campuses listed above. Your local induction will familiarise you
with the particular context of your role, together with information about the local community and the students you will work
with, and your school’s policies and procedures.
Schools
The principal is the leader of your school. Depending on the size of the school and the number of students enrolled, your
principal may have a teaching role or, in larger schools, have other administrative staff who assist with the leadership of the
school.
Small schools are usually located in more rural and remote locations. Staff may include a teaching principal, one or two other
teachers, one or two teacher aides, an administrative assistant and a cleaner. Some small schools do not have a facilities officer,
however these schools are provided with a grounds-care allowance. Small school staff may join with other small schools for
events and professional development, or to share ideas and cooperate on important initiatives.
In a large school, especially a large high school, the principal will have a business services manager as well as deputy principals,
heads of departments, heads of curriculum, together with a full complement of teachers, administration officers, teacher aides,
cleaners and facilities staff. The Parents and Citizens’ Association may run a tuckshop, book shop and uniform shop. A few of
Queensland’s largest schools are led by executive principals.
You will be given a tour of the school campus and introduced to fellow staff when you begin work. The tour will show you where
you will be working, where the facilities, resources and staff rooms are and where to keep your personal belongings. There may
be a social club or sports club you could join. Take the time to get to know your colleagues as these relationships will help you
settle in to the school community.
Blue card
To work as a teacher aide you must undergo a working with children check and be issued with a blue card. Your principal or
business services manager will assist you to apply for a blue card when you start work. All school employees who are not
registered teachers or other exempt professionals are required to hold a blue card under the Commission for Children and Young
People and Child Guardian Act 2000 (Qld). Visit the Commission’s website for more information relating to these requirements.
3
Mandatory induction
Your induction includes mandatory training and role specific information. The DETE Induction websiteprovides access to the
online Mandatory Induction program – an optional approach to this training. You will need to revisit the mandatory components
of induction annually. Your principal or supervisor will identify other information you need and provide you with an induction
planner to work through.
Code of conduct and ethical decision-making
All DETE employees are subject to the Code of Conduct for the Queensland Public Service. It is based on the ethics principles
in the Public Sector Ethics Act 1994 (Qld).
The department has developed a standard of practiceto support the code of conduct by providing additional guidance on how
DETE employees should demonstrate ethical behaviour.
The code applies at all times, including while school employees are escorting students on camps, excursions and tours – within or
outside Australia, in private as well as work situations. Code of conduct and ethical decision-making training is included in the
mandatory induction program.
Keys to managing information
The Queensland Right to Information Act came into effect on 1 July 2009 to promote the release of significant, appropriate and
accurate Queensland government information to individuals and the general public.
The Information Privacy Act 2009 (Qld) stipulates information privacy principles must be adhered to in collecting, storing,
accessing, amending, using or disclosing people’s personal information. Penalties apply to the illegal disclosure of personal
information.
The Keys to Managing Information online mandatory course contains four modules:
 Information Privacy
 Information Security
 Recordkeeping
 Right to Information.
Talk to your principal or business services manager if you are still unsure about the use and disclosure of personal information
after completing the online course.
Health, safety and wellbeing: if you are aware of it, take care of it
Health and safety is everyone’s responsibility. As a member of staff you are obliged to follow health and safety procedures and
instructions to avoid endangering yourself and others. Procedures incorporate risk management strategies to avoid or mitigate
potential harm to students, staff and visitors.
The Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld)requires Queensland workplaces to record and, in some instances, notify authorities of
health and safety incidents. You must advise your supervisor or principal about incidents or injuries to yourself, your students or
visitors.
Incidents will be recorded in the MyHR Workplace Health and Safety (WH&S) system. You will be able to access the system
through your own login or one of your administration team may enter the details for you.
You will complete mandatory health, safety and wellbeing training through on-the-job training and/or the online course.
Managing risks in school curriculum activities
Teachers and school leaders must ensure all curriculum activities are assessed for potential risks prior to anybody engaging in
the activity. As you will be working closely with teachers and students, you should make yourself aware of the risks associated
with the activities you support and the ways in which such risks can be managed. You will find details of the risk management
process in the procedure Managing Risks in School Curriculum Activities.
Your principal or supervisor will provide you with information as part of your mandatory induction program or you may be
asked to complete the online Curriculum Activity Risk Assessment training. You may be asked to contribute to risk management
planning by some of the teachers you work with.
Student protection
Schools are responsible for the physical, social, cultural and emotional wellbeing and safety of students. School leaders must
ensure students are appropriately supervised at all times throughout the school day.
4
The Student Protection procedure sets out the department’s expectations of employees to ensure students are protected from
harm.
Harm, to a student, is any detrimental effect of asignificant nature on a student’s physical, psychological or emotional wellbeing.
This could also include harm to an unborn child. Harm can be caused by physical abuse, psychological or emotional abuse,
neglect or sexual abuse or exploitation.
Any behaviour, by any person, that harms a student is wrong. Some cultures may have a custom or practice that harms children.
Harm to students will not be tolerated. It is NOT OK. In other words, culture or custom is NO EXCUSE for harming students.
Everyone who works in a school must look after the best interests of students. Managing your own behaviour is the first step in
student protection. Employees should never:
 harm a student, either physically, psychologically or emotionally
 make fun of a student, put them down or discriminate against them for any reason
 touch a student in a sexual way, or engage in any other inappropriate sexual activity (for example, sending suggestive
text messages or showing a student pornographic material)
 do anything that could make people think you are doing something sexual to a student.
If you see harm occurring at school:
1. help the student who has been harmed, for example by telling other students to move away
2. get another staff member involved as soon as possible
3. tell the principal straight away about what you have seen
4. write down what you saw and give the information to the principal.
As part of your mandatory induction, you may complete the Student Protection Online Training program.
Internal controls
All employees must understand the need for controls to be applied to financial transactions and must comply with such controls.
This usually means having a supervisor approve any transactions. The purpose is to avoid misappropriation of school and
government funds. A course in internal controls is available as part of the online Mandatory Induction program. Internal controls
are vital to prevent fraudulent transactions and corrupt behaviours going unnoticed.
Emergency procedures
Emergency procedures are developed for a range of critical incidents including fire, explosion, chemical release, violence or
dangerous weather conditions.
In particular, you will be given the school emergency procedures for:
 emergency evacuation
 lockdown
 bomb threats
 suspect packages.
The development, communication and practice of emergency procedures assist in preventing panic and improving management
of the situation. Your administration team will organise regular drills. Evacuation plans must be displayed at the exit point of all
rooms and school buildings.
Workplace health & safety officers
The Workplace Health and Safety Officer (WHSO) provides advice to the principal on the overall state of health and safety at the
school. Duties include carrying out inspections and investigations, conducting educational programs about health and safety,
coordinating the annual workplace assessment and leading the health and safety committee.
Health and safety representatives
The health and safety representative (HSR) liaises with other staff to identify health and safety issues and conveys these to the
school leadership team. The HSR is elected by fellow workers and participates in the school health and safety committee. The
HSR is entitled to carry out inspections and review the circumstances of workplace incidents. An HSR may be of particular
benefit at schools with fewer than 30 employees where there is no WHSO.
Employee Assistance Service (EAS)
The department provides a range of psychological health services for employees. Services include free short-term confidential
counselling. Presentations and group work may be available by arrangement with your principal. These services assist
5
individuals and school communities to increase psychological resilience, improve communication, develop positive work
relationships and enhance wellbeing.
More information and contacts are available from the Creating Healthier Workplaces website.
Hepatitis A and B vaccinations
You are encouraged to be vaccinated for Hepatitis A and B. Your school will facilitate and pay for the cost of Hepatitis A and B
vaccinations if you request the treatment through your principal or business services manager.
Role of the teacher aide
Teacher aides contribute to the provision of quality educational services by supporting teachers in the preparation and
enhancement of learning materials and delivery of educational activities. Under supervision, teacher aides support students to
achieve planned learning. You can find your role description at http://education.qld.gov.au/hr/recruitment/roledescriptions/schools/teacher-aide.html.
Reporting relationships
Teacher aides report to the principal, who may delegate the day-to-day supervision of teacher aides to other school leaders or to
a number of teachers. The reporting relationship to teachers may be changed by the principal on a regular basis. On occasions
teacher aides may report to the business services manager.
When supporting students with specific health procedures, a teacher aide will be under the direct or indirect supervision of a
registered nurse or medical practitioner.
Tasks you may be required to perform
You may, under the direct or indirect supervision of a teacher, be required to undertake a number of tasks that include, but are
not limited to:
 assist and participate in activities that improve the physical, social, emotional and intellectual development of students
 support teachers with the preparation and delivery of indoor and outdoor learning activities
 assist in supporting students with disabilities with their academic studies, personal care and dignity requirements
 provide feedback to teachers regarding student participation in learning activities
 assist students individually to learn social skills
 coordinate virtual schooling environments
 perform administrative duties
 assist with the preparation of teaching aids
 provide support to the teacher-librarian
 manage information and communication technologies
 supervise students during breaks, before and after school
 supervise students in certain schools if a teacher is not present due to sudden illness (see Adult Supervision of Pre-set
Learning procedure)
 undertake specific literacy and numeracy duties.
At times, you may require training to complete certain tasks. This should be discussed with your supervisor. Over time you will
become more experienced and will have learned a great deal. You will be encouraged to gain a qualification that will enable you
to progress into a higher classification.
Teacher aide classifications
Your classification is determined in the award that governs your employment as a teacher aide – the Employees of Queensland
Government Departments (Other than Public Servants) Award State 2012. Classification relates to the responsibilities you are
expected to take on and the salary you are paid. The award classifications are OO followed by a numeral; however TAOO is
commonly used for teacher aide classifications.
TAOO2
Beginning teacher aides start in classification TAOO2. This classification contains four incremental levels you will normally
progress through on an annual basis provided your service is satisfactory. At each level your pay increases until you have
reached level 4. Casual and temporary teacher aides must complete 1200 hours of service before they are eligible to move up an
incremental level, but permanent part-time teacher aides move annually.
TAOO3
Permanent teacher aides who have spent 12 months at level 4 in TAOO2 (or 1200 hours for temporary employees) and who hold
a Certificate III or higher qualification and a current Senior First Aid Certificate, are eligible to move into a higher classification –
TAOO3. Again, there are four incremental levels and progression is on the same basis as in TAOO2.
6
In order to move into TAOO3 when you reach the eligible service point, you need to provide your qualifications to the payroll
office as soon as you achieve them. You can find more information on the Professional Development website.
TAOO4
TAOO4 positions are allocated to schools where a specific need has been established. The positions are usually filled via a closedmerit process amongst existing teacher aides however where no suitable teacher aides are identified the role may be advertised.
The TA004 role typically involves specialised duties or functions. To move into this classification, a relevant Certificate III or IV
qualification is desirable but not essential, however you must be able to demonstrate high levels of skill in the area of need.
Classification TAOO4 also consists of four incremental levels and movement is on the same basis as for the other classifications.
Salary
You will see your classification and increment level on your fortnightly pay advice. You are able to check the salary payable for
your classification and increment level on OnePortal.
Pay advice
Your pay advice will be emailed to you each fortnight and may be viewed in MyHR self- service. You are able to view and update
your personal and bank details, and project your leave balances to a forward date using MyHR. You will need to log in to a
departmental computer, then:
1. select the MyHR Self Service quick link on the OnePortal home page
2. select the employee tab and the activity you would like to undertake.
Taxation
Your salary will attract a taxation rate of 48.5% unless you complete a Tax file number declaration form to advise the department
of your tax file number. Administration staff at your school are usually able to provide you with this form, or they are available
from newsagencies displaying an ‘N’ sign. The completed form should be forwarded promptly to your paying district office.
If you do not have a tax file number or cannot locate it, you may avoid paying the higher tax rate by completing a Tax file number
application form. Failure to provide the department with your tax file number within 28 days will result in your salary being
taxed at the rate of 48.5%.
You should complete a Withholding declaration form to advise the department of any tax rebate or family tax benefit you wish to
claim. You should also complete one of these forms if you wish to vary your rate of rebate. Completed forms should be forwarded
to your paying district office.
Superannuation
A QSuper accumulation account will be opened for you. Contributions are commenced automatically in your first pay fortnight.
The standard contribution rate is 5%, attracting an employer contribution of 12.75% of your gross salary. You may reduce your
contributions to 2% with a corresponding lower employer contribution. You may also make voluntary superannuation
contributions. However, this does not result in increased employer contributions.
If you can’t work temporarily – due to illness or an accident – under Q-Super you may have access to income protection, paid as a
pension equal to 75% of your salary.
If you require further advice QSupercontact details are available on their website, or call QSuperon 1300 360 750.
Allowances
You may be entitled to receive an allowance if you have volunteered or been directed to do a particular duty.
Allowances you may be entitled to include:
 special school or special education unit
 laundry and/or damaged clothing
 toilet cleaning
 kilometric
 first aid - Note: does not apply to TAOO3 or TAOO4 classifications
 supervision for remote schools and virtual school settings
 communication
 specialised health procedures.
Detailed information on the above allowances may be found in Section 41 of the Department of Education and Training Teacher
Aides Certified Agreement 2011.
7
Conditions of your employment
Your award
Your employment as a teacher aide is governed by provisions of the Employees of Queensland Government Departments (Other
than Public Servants) Award 2012. You can find your award on the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission website.
Your certified agreement
A certified agreement sets out the wages and working conditions for a particular group of employees, in addition to their award
provisions.
A certified agreement may be negotiated between the employer and employees working at the time, or unions entitled to
represent employees who will be covered by the agreement. The nominal currency for a certified agreement is now four years,
after which a new agreement is negotiated.
Your current certified agreement is the Department of Education and Training Teacher Aides Certified Agreement 2011. You can
find this agreement on the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission website.
Employment categories
Your employment will be in one of the following employment categories:
 full-time
 part-time
 casual
 specified term.
Your conditions of employment may vary depending on the category of your employment.
Commencement advice
On the day you commence duty you will be asked to complete and sign a commencement advice form (CMA). Any delay in
completing and forwarding the CMA may result in delays to your fortnightly payments.
Proof of date of birth
You are required to provide a certified copy or certified extract of your birth certificate with your CMA for employment and
superannuation purposes. If it is not practical to obtain the required documents, you should provide other documentation that
satisfactorily establishes your age and place of birth.
Employee number
You will be allocated a unique employee number when appointed. You retain this number for the entire period of your
employment with the department. It should be quoted in all communications with the department.
Probation
Your appointment is subject to the satisfactory completion of a three-month probationary period, except for those appointed
under exemption to merit provisions or who were previously long-term casual or temporary employees to whom probation does
not apply.
Hours of duty
Teacher aides usually work during school hours. Your principal or supervisor will discuss your hours of work with you. Starting
and finishing times are to be recorded on a timesheet.
The minimum weekly engagement for a permanent part-time teacher aide is 5 hours.
Part-time employees may be employed for a minimum period of two hours on any one day or a minimum one hour for support of
students with disabilities.
Part-time teacher aides may be rostered to work up to a maximum of 32 ordinary hours a week, unless an agreement is reached
for additional hours. The total ordinary hours must be less than 38 a week.
Meal break
All employees who work more than five continuous ordinary hours on any day are entitled to a minimum of 30 minutes unpaid
meal break to be taken between the third and sixth hour from commencement of duty.
Rest pauses
Employees who work at least six continuous ordinary hours are entitled to paid rest pauses totalling 20 minutes per day to be
taken at times to suit operational requirements. For employees who work at least four continuous ordinary working hours the
entitlement is 10 minutes. Taking a rest pause does not interrupt the continuity of ordinary hours worked.
8
Management of teacher aide hours
TheManagement of Teacher Aide Hours, Accumulated Days Off and Relief procedure provides guidance for schools in the
management of teacher aide hours, including increases and decreases to allocated hours.
Accumulated days off
Accumulated days off (ADO) refers to specified days when you are not required to attend for duty, but for which payment is
made because you have worked unpaid hours during term time. The method by which you accumulate your ADO time is to be
negotiated with your principal at the beginning of the calendar year and operates on the basis of a 12 month cycle. Details of ADO
arrangements are provided in the Department of Education and Training Teacher Aides Certified Agreement 2011, Schedule 1,
Section 4.
ADO calculator
For assistance regarding calculation of ADO hours for teacher aides a calculator is available on One Portal.
Leave entitlements
You can find most leave entitlements in the Leave Entitlements for Employees procedure.
For the purpose of identifying your entitlements in directives, teacher aides are general employees engaged under section 147(2)
(a) of the Public Service Act 2008.
Your leave entitlements depend on your employment category (i.e. casual employees are often not eligible for paid leave). Most
leave provisions are detailed in attachments to the procedure. Exceptions include:
 Special leave – you are entitled to apply for up to five days special leave for emergent/compassionate reasons or other
purposes as specified in Directive 09/13 Special leave
 Meritorious sick leave – you are able to apply for an additional 65 days paid sick leave after completing 26 years of
meritorious service with no break in service longer than 12 months – see Directive 04/13 Sick leave
 Parental leave refers to maternity, paternity and adoption leave – eligibility after at least 12 months continuous service
– see Directive 26/10 Paid Parental Leave
 Purchased leave – salary is adjusted to enable purchase of an extra six weeks leave in a 12 month period – seePurchased
Leaveprocedure.
Bus and playground supervision duties
The Department of Education and Training Teacher Aides Certified Agreement 2011 and Bus and Playground Duty for
Teacher Aides procedures address your supervision of students out of class.
The following points are important:
 Your principal, after consultation with affected staff, will determine the mix of teachers and teacher aides required for
bus and playground supervision.
 You will monitor students and the environment to ensure physical and emotional security, acceptable behaviour and,
when required, provide a timely and appropriate response to illness, injury, danger or inappropriate or threatening
behaviour.
 Bus duty involves supervision of students waiting for public or contract transport inside or outside school grounds.
 Playground duty may include supervision of students, including students with disabilities, in eating areas, in the library,
on school ovals, using installed playground equipment and in informal groups.
 You are to be trained for personal care or specialised health needs should you be supporting a student with such needs
whilst undertaking these duties.
 You will also be trained in supportive behaviour management techniques designed for use outside the classroom. Such
techniques should be identified in the school behaviour management plan.
 Teacher aides perform bus and playground duties in direct or indirect partnership with teaching staff.
 Teacher aides must not be left alone to supervise students when no teachers are onsite (except for circumstances set out
in the certified agreement or in emergency situations).
Communication
Internet and intranet access
Every state school is connected to a common information technology network, called the Education Queensland Wide Area
Network. Each staff member is allocated a unique network logon identity (ID) and Managed Internet Service (MIS) ID.
9
Your school’s MIS administrator will arrange your logon ID. You will need to read the attachment ‘Information for staff using the
department’s ICT network – including school and TAFE networks’that you can find in the procedure Acceptable use of the
department’s information, communication and technology (ICT) network and systems.
Staff communication
To keep you informed of activities and issues impacting on students, teachers and the community, your school will use various
communication tools. Ask about the communication methods used in your school.
Professional development
All employees are encouraged to access professional development to enhance their productivity and career prospects. The
department uses a process described in the Developing Performance Framework to guide staff and supervisors in the continuous
development of capabilities. You will find the Developing Performance website full of information and ideas.
The Professional Development website provides specific information for teacher aides together with professional development
calendars showing current opportunities. Search for teacher aides in the employee groups on the left of the page and access the
calendars the same way.
Don’t limit your ideas of professional development to workshops and conferences. These are great for networking, but the most
effective way to learn is on the job. Your colleagues and supervising teachers will show you new techniques, talk with you about
issues and discuss ideas in your daily work.
The Learning Place provides many online courses that may help enhance your skills. The course calendar is the place to search.
If you have reached TAOO2 level 4 without gaining a qualification, ask your principal or business services manager about funding
to support you to gain a qualification. You may choose to complete a Certificate III or IV in Education Support. There is also a
Diploma of Education Support that is highly prized among teacher aides aspiring to further study and possibly teaching. Access
the courses from the Professional Development Teacher Aide website.
You may support students with disabilities whether you work in regular classrooms, a special education unit or a special school.
The department and your school are required by legislation to ensure students with disabilities are able to access the same
educational opportunities as other students. The Disability Standards for Education 2005, part of the Disability Discrimination Act
1992 (Commonwealth), require support services are offered to help students with disability complete a course. Your professional
development will include training to understand the needs of students with disabilities and provide suitable support and
adjustments to enable students to access learning.
First aid
Under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld) the department is required to provide adequate first aid facilities and personnel
for the effective management of injured or ill employees, students and others. School staff must:
 ensure first aid requirements are considered when planning curricular and extra-curricular activities
 ensure first aid requirements are considered when planning off-site activities such as travel, excursions, sporting events
and school camps
 consider participating students’ medical conditions, associated risks in the activity and accessibility of medical services
 be aware of emergency medication requirements.
If you are required to provide first aid services as a TAOO2 teacher aide, your school will pay for your training and ongoing
updates. It is a requirement to hold a current senior first aid certificate to progress to TAOO3.
Local consultative committees
A local consultative committee (LCC) is:
 a committee where management and employees can jointly discuss possible changes, projects and concerns affecting
the school
 representative of all employee groups
 a requirement under the:
o State Government Departments Certified Agreement (Core Agreement) 2009
o Department of Education and Training Teachers’ Certified Agreement (Teachers Agreement) 2012
o Department of Education and Training Teacher Aides’ Certified Agreement 2011.
o Department of Education and Training (Education) Cleaners’ Certified Agreement 2011.
Membership of the LCC comprises equal representation of management and union nominees. The size of the committees will
usually be eight, that is, four union and four management representatives, providing that two union representatives are
Queensland Teachers’ Union members.
10
References
Websites
Blue card information on the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian website:
http://www.ccypcg.qld.gov.au/bluecard/index.html
DETE Induction website: http://deta.qld.gov.au/about/induction
Mandatory induction website: http://deta.qld.gov.au/about/induction/department/resources/mandatory-induction.html
Developing Performance website: http://education.qld.gov.au/staff/development/performance/
Disability Standards for Education website: http://www.ddaedustandards.info/index.php
Education Queensland website: http://education.qld.gov.au/
Learning Place: http://education.qld.gov.au/learningplace/
OnePortal Payroll and entitlements page:
https://oneportal.deta.qld.gov.au/Services/HumanResources/Payroll/Pages/Default.aspx
Professional Development Teacher Aides website:
http://education.qld.gov.au/staff/development/employee/teacheraide/index.html
Queensland Industrial Relations Commission website: http://www.qirc.qld.gov.au/index.htm
QSuper website: http://qsuper.qld.gov.au/default.aspx
Regionmaps: http://education.qld.gov.au/schools/maps/
Documents
Code of Conduct and DETE Standard of Practice: http://education.qld.gov.au/corporate/codeofconduct/
Department of Education and Training Teacher Aides Certified Agreement 2011:
http://www.qirc.qld.gov.au/resources/pdf/certified_agreements/cert_agreements/2011/ca361_2011.pdf
DETE Organisational Structure: http://deta.qld.gov.au/corporate/pdf/det-organisational-structure.pdf
Directive 26/10 Paid Parental Leave: http://www.psc.qld.gov.au/publications/directives/assets/2010-26-paid-parentalleave.pdf
Employees of Queensland Government Departments (Other Than Public Servants) Award State 2012:
http://www.qirc.qld.gov.au/resources/pdf/awards/e/e0340_swc12.pdf
Teacher aide role descriptions: http://education.qld.gov.au/hr/recruitment/role-descriptions/schools/teacher-aide.html
Policy and procedures
Policy and Procedures Register: http://ppr.det.qld.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx
Acceptable use of the department’s information, communication and technology (ICT) network and systems procedure:
http://ppr.det.qld.gov.au/corp/ict/management/Pages/Acceptable-Use-of-Departments-Information-Communication-andTechnology-(ICT)-Network-and-Systems.aspx.
Adult supervision of preset learning procedure: http://ppr.det.qld.gov.au/corp/hr/management/Pages/Adult-Supervision-ofPre-Set-Learning.aspx
Bus and Playground Duty for Teacher Aides procedure: http://ppr.det.qld.gov.au/corp/hr/hr/Pages/Bus-and-Playground-Dutyfor-Teacher-Aides.aspx
Leave Entitlements for Employees procedure: http://ppr.det.qld.gov.au/corp/hr/hr/Pages/Leave-Entitlements-forEmployees.aspx
Management of Teacher Aide Hours, Accumulated Days Off and Relief procedure:
http://ppr.det.qld.gov.au/corp/hr/management/Pages/Management-of-Teacher-Aide-Hours---Accumulated-Days-Off-andRelief.aspx
Managing Risks in School Curriculum Activities procedure: http://ppr.det.qld.gov.au/education/management/Pages/ManagingRisks-in-School-Curriculum-Activities.aspx
11
Purchased Leave procedure: http://ppr.det.qld.gov.au/corp/hr/hr/Pages/Purchased-Leave.aspx
Student Protection procedure: http://ppr.det.qld.gov.au/education/community/Pages/Student-Protection.aspx
12