Victorian schools: Principals slugged thousands for casual relief teachers

Victorian principals are furious over what they say is “exploitation” during a critical teacher shortage across the state.

Principals are saying agencies are exploiting schools over relief teacher fees. Picture: Angelo Velardo

Victorian principals say they are being “exploited” during a teacher shortage crisis after being slugged thousands of dollars in exorbitant fees by agencies that employ casual relief teachers.

The Herald Sun has spoken to several principals who say some agencies had increased their fees at the end of last year and had now charged schools a “spotter’s fee” for CRT teachers employed on fixed and ongoing employment.

Letters from agencies to schools outlining their fee schedule for 2023 show fees for CRT teachers from $1500 to $6000.

Some agencies are shown to calculate their fees based on a percentage of the teacher’s equivalent full-time annual gross remuneration.

The figures being charged by the agencies are also well above payment levels for casual teachers.

Berwick Lodge Primary School principal Henry Grossek said the timing was disgraceful.

In many private school industrial awards the payment for a full day of casual relief teaching is $406 to $410 for 2023.

In the state award the amount is equal to a daily rate for teachers plus 35 per cent loading in lieu of entitlements.

In one letter, from a prominent CRT agency to a local school, it shows fees to be calculated as a full day from $470.96 to $313.97 for a half day.

Berwick Lodge Primary School principal Henry Grossek said he was “angered” that some CRT agencies were charging a spotter’s fee during a time when schools were being hit by mass teacher shortages.

“The spotter’s fees are unacceptable and it means that it depletes our existing budget, impacting on a variety of programs and services,” Mr Grossek said.

“Agencies began to put up their fees at the end of last year and they are taking advantage of vulnerable client schools during a time of teacher shortages, most of whom are simply not awash with money.

“Schools also receive no recompense from DET for this cost.

“I’m very angry about it. I don’t know of any principal who feels much differently.”

Mr Grossek said he was also frustrated that schools were never consulted about the introduction of a spotter’s fee.

“To the best of my knowledge, client schools were never consulted about these fees and to be exploited by agencies in this way is just disgraceful.”

Another principal, from a secondary school in Melbourne’s east, told the Herald Sun he had noticed that fees charged by CRT agencies had gone up “exponentially” since late last year.

“I remember a time when schools were being charged fees from $700 to $1500 for casual relief teachers,” he said.

“The issue is that teacher shortages means we’re all fighting for a very small pool of candidates and schools need as much support as they can during this time.”

Australian Principals’ Federation Victorian president Tina King said: “We are hearing from schools that CRT agency fees have increased significantly.”

“Fees of $6000 are excessive but what we do know though is that the agencies do negotiate that fee and we’re encouraging people to have that conversation with them,” Ms King said.

One Melbourne-based agency representative told the Herald Sun his company didn’t charge a spotter’s fee.

“We charge a recruit fee for service. Those fees are all negotiated and approved by DET under a panel agreement,” he said.

A Department of Education spokesman said: “CRT agencies have always charged fees for a range of services, including the finding and placement of teaching staff.”

“The Department continues to work with agencies and any reported instances of excessive fees will be taken up with relevant agencies,” he said.

Student resource package funding is provided to every school and includes an annual funding budget for staff salaries and casual relief teachers.