Data Notes:

• Data is captured in March every year.

• Medical retirements can arise from a range of serious medical conditions. Teachers have access to sick leave of 15 days on full pay a year.

• The department monitors the level of sick leave taken by teachers. Specialist staff in employee service centres work with principals to ensure that recurring absences are handled appropriately.

• Additionally, for staff who have an injury, illness of health condition the department provides a range of support including:

  • Dedicated teams with expertise in wellbeing and injury management, who provide direct support and assistance to all staff

  • Effective rehabilitation programs to support timely return to work

  • The Employee Assistance Program, which provides staff with independent, confidential and expert counselling

  • Flexible work opportunities and leave entitlements which enable staff to balance work and family, and attend important family and community responsibilities.

• In a workforce of around 49,000 permanent school teachers, the department has a very low rate of medical retirements.

Data Source:

• Human Resources. NSW Department of Education.