RETHINKING ABILITY: Disability Allowance eligibility

Federation has been receiving inquiries about whether teachers across different settings are eligible for Disability Allowance support payments. Members have been seeking information on the process to ensure it is being received, whether it can be backdated and whether mainstream teachers with assigned periods to support classes in high schools are entitled to the payment.

The Disability Allowance, as per the Crown Award, is payable to teachers of children with 4 disabilities as follows:

2.62 "Teachers of Students with Disabilities" means school teachers appointed to schools for specific purposes, or support classes in primary or high schools established to provide education for students with disabilities and including appointments as itinerant support teacher, as follows:

2.621 students with: mild intellectual disabilities (IM); moderate intellectual disabilities (10); severe intellectual disabilities (IS); behaviour disorders (BD); emotional disabilities (ED); hearing impairments (H); language disabilities (L); physical disabilities (P); severe reading (R); vision impairments (V); and

2.62.2 students in: an early childhood intervention program (EC); hospital schools; Royal Far West School; Stewart House (W); and community care programs (CT).

Members have shared correspondence with EDConnect to Federation that confirms teachers with regular, scheduled and/or assigned periods on support classes are eligible for the allowance payment from the Department.

For teachers to reinstate and/ or have allowance paid (which can be backdated) the principal must send an online enquiry to EDConnect requesting the allowance be reinstated or confirming that the employee is eligible to be paid the allowance and provide the following information:

* employee name

* employee ID

* allowance reguested

* start date

* end date (if ongoing, please indicate)

* percentage of allowance (FTE)

* if the allowance is payable alongside higher duties.

The allowance for casual days worked is added to the casual time sheets when they are submitted. If this has been missed, the school can submit these and have them approved and the allowance can be paid in arrears.

Members are encouraged to check their payslips on SAP. If you feel youre eligible for the allowance, take the time to sit with your principal, discuss the situation and submit the query.

If you need assistance from Federation, talk to your Federation Representative or Workplace Committee members in the first instance. You can also contact Professional Support on 1300 654 367 or via email at [email protected] or speak to your Organiser. Regional office details can be found via "Contact us" in the Quick links list on our website's homepage.