Heathcote MP Maryanne Stuart has welcomed the news that the NSW Government has secured a 35% drop in school counsellors vacancies since last year.

86 new school counsellors and psychologists started work in NSW public schools at the beginning of this school year.

At the beginning of Term 1, 2023, under the former Liberal National Government there were 92.8 FTE vacancies. In a positive move, that number has dropped to 60 FTE vacancies as of Term 1, 2024.

The drop represents significant progress towards the Minns Government’s election commitment to recruit an additional 250 (FTE).

The improvement comes after the NSW Government abolished the wages cap and delivered a once-in-a-generation pay rise to school counsellors and psychologists last year, which saw starting salaries lift from $75,791 to $95,317.

A recruitment push will also commence in the coming weeks, further boosting the number of counsellors and psychologists in NSW schools to support the mental health and wellbeing of students and improve educational outcomes.

Quotes attributable to Maryanne Stuart MP, Member for Heathcote:

“I’ve seen first-hand the difference that support staff make to the wellbeing of students and of a school community as a whole – both as a mother and as school staff member.”

“NSW schools are now one of the largest employers of psychologists in NSW, providing invaluable, free support to students in their local public school. This shows how committed this Government is to improving the mental health of students and to the success of our schools and communities.”

“Thank you so much to our school counsellors and psychologists for all the amazing work you do for our young people.”