Are teachers in Australia underpaid?

Question

I always thought teachers had it easy with short work days and extra long holidays. That was until some of friends became teachers I realise they work long days (marking and lesson preparation, parent/teacher nights), weekends (sport, marking, more lesson preparation) and during most of the holidays (marking, preparing assignments and tests, going on excursions). I'm starting to think that teachers work a lot harder than most people believe. Any views on this?

Background reading from today's paper: http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/time-for-teachers-to-seize-the-pay/2008/08/10/1218306665001.html

Answer 1

teachers work hard and sould be payed more

Answer 2

NO they are OVERPAID for a 9 to 3 day  and 3 month a year off plus all 10 paid public holidays

Teachers in Australia get paid more than a Military warrant office after only 8 Years where the Warrant officer waits 20 years to reach the top of his profession and teachers don't have to go to war not ordered to fill sandbags for floods fight fires Ordered to attend all war celebration's without extra pay and work 8 til 5 in 27 years i never worked less than 55 hrs a week and when i left the air force was owed 537 hrs of extra hours worked  - 67 days

There is a shortage of teachers because the system will not protect innocent males from false accusations

The Teachers in NSW are the greediest and the most militant

whilst Ambulance Officers and Fire Fighters are Paid a pittance with Lousy conditions

I see i got 4 thumbs down must be school teachers do you really believe a school teacher should be paid $130.000 aud after 8 years whilst a WOFF only gets 98,000 aud after 20 years ??????????????

OK people if we ever go to war when it comes to protecting school teachers can i strike for more pay should i let my arrogance decide and not care like a school teacher.

Answer 3

I'm a student in Melbourne, where the underpaid teacher situation is the worst in Australia (according to many teachers who have given the 'underpaid teacher' lecture).  I think that their jobs are not valued highly enough in our society, because without teachers, where would all the doctors, lawyers, other "top" jobs come from? And it is true that they have to work out of school time, though many people forget that.  

Answer 4

For the amount of paperwork, constant re training, abuse by students, abuse by parents, and government legislation that has even the highest scholars in Australia scratching their heads...yes they are extremely underpaid!

I don't think people realise the amount of reporting teachers are required to do. It is no longer as simple as giving a student an A+ for knowing 1+1=2...there are at least 2 observations and reporting requirements for this one achievement! There is more politics than learning in schools these days, and the stress this places the teachers under is simply ridiculous!

Answer 5

No way! Teaching children is not rocket science. They get holidays all the time, don't have to work weekends, basically teach the same thing every year. Teachers no nothing about the psychology of children. I did work experience at a school and trust me teachers have it pretty easy compared to some. Nurses should get a payrise before teachers. They work long hours with far too many patients and in a stressful environment. Not to mention the emotional strain of watching their patients die.

Answer 6

No i really would understand why though

Answer 7

I would like to point out that most teachers are on salaries of $50,000-60,000 not the $130000 as quoted by another person, if they were on that kind of money they wouldnt be complaining. It's shocking that in this day and age there are still people who think teachers only work 9 to 3 each day...work it out if they did they wouldnt get through all the paper work, planning and marking and anyone who knows teachers properly understands that the workload is huge and as dedicated professionals they accept that it is part of their job. Many professions are underpaid and undervalued by our society its doesnt make it acceptable and it doesnt make it right but there are few, like teachers who willingly go to work and accept abuse from students, parents and the wider community because there is nothing they can do about it....I challenege anyone who thinks its a walk in the park to earn your degree and become a teacher there's a shortage, try it for yourself before you critise it and remember when it is school holidays that teachers are often working while many parents resent having their own children at home...if parents dont want them at home why expects teachers to want them. Walk a mile in a dedicated teachers shoes, survive on the money they earn and then have an opinion.

Answer 8

And many forget the less unfortunate kids who dont go to schools. The kids who have disabilities and have to be cared by a parent or a worker. I worked for a company that looked after kids with special needs and its amazing how much complaining you hear from teachers. Whatever happened to doing what you love rather than doing something for money? Isnt teaching a child what you know more important than how much you get paid? You wouldnt hear one complaint from a worker who helps a child in need. Who needs attention just as much as a normal kid does.

I never would have thought a person could go through 4 yrs of uni just because of the money. Its selfish and inconsiderate

I also agree with armour. Cops ambulance workers firefighters dont get paid enough and yet their lives are put on the line everyday. What are teachers complaining about?

Answer 9

Teachers everywhere think they are underpaid and overworked. Fact is the reverse is true.

Answer 10

Yes they are!