Huge drop in teacher vacancies

Teacher vacancies in The Entrance electorate have fallen by 82%, with Member for The Entrance David Mehan crediting the State Government’s action to rebuild public education for the fall.

The dramatic improvement means local students are more likely to have a consistent teacher in their classroom, ensuring stability and better learning outcomes, Mehan said.

“An 82 per cent drop in teacher vacancies in The Entrance electorate is fantastic news for local families,” Mehan said.

“This progress shows the results of properly valuing teachers by scrapping the wages cap, delivering the largest pay rise in a generation and making thousands of temporary teachers permanent.

“While there is still more to do, this massive drop in vacancies is proof that our plan to rebuild public education is working. 

“We’ll keep backing teachers and students here in The Entrance so every child gets the best possible start in life.”

NSW Premier Chris Minns said the fall in vacancies was a step in the right direction.

“I’ve always said you can’t replace a teacher in front of the classroom,” he said.

Across NSW, the number of permanent teacher vacancies has dropped by 61% compared to 2022, bringing vacancies down to their lowest level in four years. 

Statewide, public schools began Term 3 with 962 vacancies, down from 2,460 at the same time in 2022 under the former Liberal National Government.

Mehan said the turnaround follows the decision to scrap the unfair wages cap that held back salaries and devalued the teaching profession for more than a decade. 

Over the past 12 months alone, more than 6,300 permanent teachers have been appointed, while resignation and retirement rates have declined, pointing to a more stable and valued workforce.

The Government has also supported principals with dedicated recruitment officers for every public school and expanded the Priority Recruitment Support initiative for hard-to-staff schools, with a strong focus on rural and regional communities.

Other reforms already making a difference include the largest teacher pay rise in a generation, making over 16,000 temporary teachers and school support staff permanent, banning mobile phones in schools to minimise distractions, and reducing workload pressures through curriculum, training, and administrative support changes.