The Beginning Teacher Time Release (BeTTR) program provides support to Early Career Teachers (ECTs) through the provision of time-release.
The Teachers Agreement 2023 provides that BeTTR program applies to teachers who are in their first and second year of employment since graduation and are employed on a permanent or fixed-term basis for at least one school term at 0.4 full-time equivalent or more.
Under the BeTTR program full-time ECTs are able to access a minimum instructional load time-release of four hours per fortnight in the first year, and two hours per fortnight in the second year.
Part-time teachers (0.4 full-time equivalent and above) can access the time release on a pro-rata basis according to the actual hours worked. For example, if you’re employed at 0.5 FTE you can access two hours instructional load time-release per fortnight in your first year, and one hour per fortnight in your second year.
The extension of the BeTTR program to 0.4FTE was an AEU win from the campaign for the 2013 Teachers Agreement.
Under the Teaching Service (Tasmanian Public Sector) Award 2023, the instructional load for a full-time unpromoted teacher should be no more than:
- Kindergarten to Grade 6: 42 hours per fortnight
- Grade 7 to Grade 12: 40 hours per fortnight
- The maximum Instructional load for a first-year teacher is 90% of the equivalent teaching time
- The maximum Instructional load for a second-year teacher is 95% of the equivalent teaching time
This time release period may be “banked” up to a maximum period of six hours to accommodate a block release for the ECT to participate in a full day professional development program.
BeTTR program should not be substituted for individual, school or Learning Services/DECYP professional learning programs. The professional development activity for each ECT will be tailored in consultation with their mentor and the school principal.
Don’t forget that your Principal must complete an application for BeTTR program funding.
BeTTR program is a legal entitlement and if you have any difficulties accessing it be sure to contact us at support@aeutas.org.au or (03) 6234 9500.
