Unsure of casual rate as ECT student

[oliveax]

I just started working at a centre as a casual and they're paying me the $24.20 rate. I'm doing my Masters in Teaching for ECT and just finished my 1st out of 2nd years total of my degree. Is this the correct rate I should be getting?

[Lorina]

Have you completed a Cert 3 or Diploma qualification?

What position are you during your casual work? Room Leader, ECT or Assistant?

,
Lorina

[oliveax]

I haven't done a Cert III or Diploma before and I'm working as an assistant

[Lorina]

Ok, so at the moment you are being paid as a Support Worker Level 1.1 ($24.20). This is for an Educator who has had no formal qualification and works under direct supervision:

Support Worker - Level 1

This is an employee who has no formal qualifications but is able to perform work within the scope of this level. The employee will work under direct supervision in a team environment and will receive guidance and direction at all times. The employee will receive structured and regular on - the - job training to perform the duties expected at this level. Normally an employee at this level will not be left alone with a group of children.

Indicative duties:

Learning and implementing the policies, procedures and routines of the service.
Learning how to establish relationships and interact with children.
Learning the basic skills required to work in this environment with children.
Giving each child individual attention and comfort as required.
Basic duties including food preparation, cleaning and gardening.

However, since you are currently doing your Masters Of Teaching and completed 50% of your course already, you may meet the following requirement, which makes you a Diploma qualified Educator and in fact, you should be on Level 3.4:

"You are considered actively working towards an approved diploma level qualification if you can satisfy all of the above and one of the following:

hold an approved certificate III level qualification OR
have completed the approved certificate III units OR
have completed 30% of the units in an approved ECT qualification."

Reference: Working Towards A Qualifcation

I would recommend that you share the above information "actively working towards a qualification" with the Director of the service and find out why you are being paid as a Support Worker since you have already completed half your Master's Degree.

Hope this helps!

,
Lorina