The State Government has announced a major reform package designed to strengthen and stabilise leadership across South Australian schools and preschools, unveiling a $36.2 million investment that will deliver improved remuneration for 699 principals and preschool directors from next year.
Premier Peter Malinauskas said the change represents a shift from the current nine-level classification system to a more contemporary six-level structure that better reflects the growing complexity of leading modern educational environments. Rather than focusing overwhelmingly on the size of a site, the new model looks to the challenges, responsibilities and operational demands education leaders face every day.
The reform will be rolled out alongside scheduled wage increases of four per cent in 2024 and 2025, followed by a further three per cent rise the year after, amounting to an average annual uplift of $8,679 for leaders.
Malinauskas emphasised the critical link between strong leadership and student success.
“High-quality leadership is a significant determinant in building high-quality schools which improve the outcomes for students and set them up for life,” he said, noting that the updated model is designed to deliver a fairer, more stable and more equitable system for education leaders across the state.
The changes also coincide with the rollout of the State Government’s three-year-old preschool initiative, a major reform that places even greater responsibility on site leaders.
Education Minister Blair Boyer said the reform complements the government’s broader strategy to lift educational outcomes across South Australia, reinforcing the new enterprise agreement.
“Strong school leadership is the single biggest factor in improving student outcomes after quality teaching,” Boyer said, acknowledging the pivotal role principals and directors play in shaping school culture and academic achievement.
One of the significant challenges under the old system was year-to-year instability, with up to 40 per cent of sites reclassified annually – a process that could shift leaders between levels, affecting their pay and certainty. The redesigned model aims to remove this volatility and instead deliver a consistent, challenge-based structure that more accurately reflects what site leaders manage.
For preschool directors, the reform brings not only financial recognition but a clear acknowledgment of the profound impact early childhood leadership has on families and communities. Nadia Carruozzo, Director at Lockleys Children’s Centre, said the changes go beyond salary.
“While there is a salary impact for preschool directors through this process, it’s not all about the money – it’s about the recognition of the value of the work done in the early years of children’s learning,” she said.
Reflecting on almost four decades in early childhood education, Carruozzo said she has seen significant shifts in expectations, responsibilities and the level of expertise required. She welcomed the government’s move to create fairer structures. With a focus on equity and consistent support across all leadership roles, she said the reforms will help ensure “better outcomes for children and families.”
The new pay framework forms part of a broader commitment to education, building on the state’s $1.6 billion enterprise bargaining agreement, increased mental health staffing, and the introduction of specialist inclusive education teachers. Through these measures, the State Government reinforces its dedication to strengthening the education system, and to recognising and rewarding the leaders who help shape the future of South Australia’s children.
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