NSW Teachers Federation - About The Union

About The Union

The New South Wales Teachers Federation is affiliated to the Australian Education Union (AEU), the national union covering public school teachers in Australia and through that organisation to Education International and the Australian Council of Trade Unions. The New South Wales Teachers Federation is also affiliated to Unions New South Wales. The NSW Teachers Federation is not affiliated to any political party.

The New South Wales Teachers Federation is based at Surry Hills near the Sydney CBD. The union also has regional offices in Blacktown, Bathurst, Dubbo, Lismore, Newcastle, Port Macquarie, Queanbeyan, Tamworth, Wagga Wagga and Wollongong.

The membership includes about 41,000 full-time teachers, 15,000 casual and unemployed members and 6,000 TAFE teachers. The total membership stands at about 67,000.

The state council of the union consists of approximately 300 locally elected delegates. The union’s annual conference consists of approximately 600 delegates. The NSW Teachers Federation executive is elected by the state council.

The secretariat of the Federation is composed of 45 officers who are elected by the council for a three year term. They perform such jobs as organiser, industrial advocate, welfare officer and research officer, supporting the Federation's membership.

The three Presidential officers - President, Deputy President, and Senior Vice President - are elected by the whole membership every two years.

The NSW Teachers Federation looks after a multiplicity of issues on behalf of teachers. It is responsible for negotiating the salaries and working conditions of its members with the New South Wales government. The union is committed to the interests of public education, although its primary concern is salaries and working conditions of it members.

Stewart House is the official charity of the NSW Teachers Federation.