‘You are valued’ message as education begins work of cutting jobs

Describing a need to tighten the purse strings as a “challenge”, staff at the Department of Education, Children and Young People received an email revealing job cuts are coming.

Email reveals Department of Education, Children and Young People jobs cut.

Staff at the Department of Education, Children and Young People have been reassured they are highly valued as a hiring freeze and job cuts begin.

DECYP secretary Ginna Webster says she’s aware fewer staff means more work for those who remain but says most vacancies will continue to be filled despite a state sector-wide hiring freeze.

The state government has announced it plans to cut the state service by around six per cent to help return the budget to a sustainable footing.

It has pledged to exempt frontline roles from hiring freezes and cutbacks.

In an email to all department staff, Ms Webster said an Advisory Panel had been established to review every vacancy request.

Tasmania's Department of Justice secretary Ginna Webster. Picture: Department of Premier and Cabinet

“The majority of positions in DECYP provide direct support and care to children and young people,” she said.

“Individually you bring important skills and experience to these roles, and you are all highly valued.

“It is anticipated that the majority of roles will still proceed to advertisement and filling.

“We are mindful of the potential workload implications from unfilled positions.”

Ms Webster said help was available for those who were distressed for what she described as “this challenge”.

“This environment can feel unsettling and I remind you to make use of the agency’s wellbeing supports, including the Employee Assistance Program.”

The department employed 12,547 people in 2023/24, up from 11,921 the financial year before.

The department’s workforce is 76 per cent female and a six per cent reduction in staff would mean around 750 fewer positions.

DECYP advertised 802 jobs and filled 1,095 in 2022/23, the latest figures available.

Greens deputy leader Vica Bayley speaks to the media on Parliament Lawns in Hobart on Monday, February 10, 2025.

Greens education spokesman Vica Bayley said the department provided critical services and could not afford cuts.

“It’s bad enough for any DECYP job to be left unfilled — roles that don’t work directly with young people are still essential to our schools, child safety services, and youth justice programs,” he said.

“But now it looks like the hiring freeze could still apply to workers who directly educate and support children too.

“Staff and parents have been rightly concerned about the Liberals’ cuts, but they at least expected roles working directly with children would be spared. This email makes it clear that’s not the case. It’s deeply concerning.

“There are already huge issues plaguing education, child safety, and youth justice.

“Public service cuts are only going to make things worse for both staff and young people.

“The Rockliff government needs to abandon this approach now, before any more damage is caused.”

Originally published as ‘You are valued’ message as education begins work of cutting jobs