More than 20,000 temporary teachers employed in NSW

New figures show NSW schools are increasingly relying on temporary teachers — with some employed in the same role for up to 15 years. Search our list to see how many temps are teaching at your school.

Schools are increasingly relying on temporary teachers to deliver lessons, with more than 20,000 employed across the state — almost 1800 of whom have been in the same role for more than five years.

With the education system battling to retain teaching staff — especially in science and maths — the NSW Opposition and teachers’ union argue the lack of permanent employment was a disincentive for teachers who wanted a home loan or job security to stay in the system.

The latest Education Department data obtained by the NSW Opposition shows scores of schools are being propped up by temporary teachers, with some “temping” in the same role for more than five years. The data showed the vast majority of temporary teachers had been in the role for fewer than five years.

Science, English and maths teachers are fleeing the profession.

Canley Vale, Fairfield and Gorokan high schools, and Carlingford West Public School each recorded 34 temporary teachers, who had been in the role for under five years.

Armidale Secondary College, Blaxcell Street Public School and Northlakes High School each had 33 temporary teachers employed for less than five years.

The next highest number of temporary teachers were employed by Canobolas Rural Technology High and Wadalba Community School, 32 each, followed by Lidcombe Public School, Campbelltown Performing Arts High and Gledswood Hills Public School with 31.

A handful of schools had a teacher employed in a temporary position for more than 15 years.

A further 6205 permanent employees of the department were working in a temporary role elsewhere.

The employment data follows the release of figures last year which showed nearly one in four teachers who left the profession had less than five years experience in the school system.

Technical and applied sciences, English and mathematics teachers accounted for the greatest number of departures along with principals, executive staff, teachers in careers, English as second language, library, vocational education and counselling roles

Opposition education spokeswoman Prue Car said the lack of job security was contributing to the exodus of teachers from schools at a time when there were serious shortages in areas such as STEM subjects.

“Students are missing out on high-quality education because great teachers who can’t get permanent positions are forced to leave and work in other industries. Parents don’t want to see their school’s best teachers leaving,” she said.

Opposition education spokeswoman Prue Car.

NSW Teachers Federation president Angelo Gavrielatos

“We know there is a shortage of STEM teachers, yet nearly 1800 maths, science and technology teachers have left the profession over the last five years.

“These fields are critical for future industries and jobs — we cannot afford to have kids losing the opportunities to develop these skills.”

NSW Teachers Federation president Angelo Gavrielatos said there had been a proliferation of temporary teachers in schools over the years, which decreased the attractiveness of the profession and led to early departures.

“At a time when university commencements and completions in NSW teacher education courses have plummeted by around 30 per cent, this is a massive problem when you look at the projected enrolment growth,’ he said.

Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said the overwhelming majority of teachers — about 93 per cent — were employed permanently, with most temporary teachers moving in to permanent roles within five years.

“Temporary roles provide flexibility for parents or caregivers, along with some young teachers who prefer a temporary role,” she said.

“Providing temporary positions to teachers is a good thing, it provides flexibility to staff, schools and our education system.

“Frankly, it’s embarrassing the Opposition doesn’t understand this.”

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