The TAFE SA Educational Staff Enterprise Agreement 2025 would provide an overall wage rise of 13 per cent over four years, with 4 per cent from April this year, 3 per cent in April 2027, 3 per cent in April 2028 and 3 per cent in April 2028.

This will benefit more than 1,300 staff across the state.

Other highlights of the offer include staff being paid penalty rates rather than TOIL for working outside ordinary hours, which puts more money directly in the pockets of educators.

The agreement also delivers the right to disconnect, so employees aren’t expected to engage in work-related communication like phone calls or emails outside of work-hours. This is similar to what teachers secured in their most recent agreement.

The TAFE agreement will also make paid primary carer leave more accessible to parents.

These wages and conditions will ensure we continue to attract the best trainers from the industry to teach the next generation of tradies and students.

It comes at an important time for our State, as we continue to ramp up training so more South Australians have access to the skills they need for secure, well-paid jobs – building the homes we need, delivering AUKUS, educating three-year-olds at preschool, and delivering renewable energy projects.

Under the offer there will also be expanded hours of operation for lecturers for 7am to 10pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 5pm on Saturdays. This expansion would take effect from the start of Semester 2 in 2026.

The expanded hours will allow more flexibility for those looking to study and train at TAFE SA outside of traditional hours – ensuring TAFE SA can best meet South Australia’s skills needs.

The offer will now be put to AEU TAFE SA members for endorsement, before going to all employees by way of a ballot in the coming weeks.