NSW Teachers Federation

For decades Federation members have stood up for the rights of gender and s*xuality diverse people, by improving the union’s policies at Annual Conference, the peak decision-making body of the union.

Support was first written into the policy books with a paragraph at 1975 Annual Conference, which reiterated that an aim of Federation’s Constitution was to guard members “against any hardship, oppression or injustice” resulting from “discrimination on …social grounds in employment or training, this Federation commits itself unequivocally to the support of such members”.
Our 1978 Sexual Discrimination Policy spoke of the right of staff or students to enter and remain in educational institutions regardless of their s*x and s*xuality and called for the reform of laws that permitted discrimination on the grounds of s*x and s*xuality.

Federation’s 1996 Annual Conference passed the Sexual Orientation and Gender Preferred Identity Policy.

Legal equality was a feature of 2011 Annual Conference’s Gender, Sexuality and Identity Policy.

Our policy continued to evolve with 2022 Annual Conference’s update of the Gender, Sexuality and Policy, outlining a wider range of identities, s*xualities, behaviours, physical characteristics and expressions of self, community and belonging.

Our policy now extends to several pages and we intend to continue evolving our policies for the better, informed by member feedback, members of our LGBTIQA+ Special Interest Group and LGBTIQA+ Restricted Committee members.

See the link in the comments to join our LGBTIQA+ Special Interest Group.

It's Refugee Week. We're calling on workplaces, schools, and TAFE colleges to get involved and celebrate inclusion this week.
The official poster and teacher resource kit are available now via the Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA) website, link in comments.
Already hosting activities in your public education setting? We'd love to see them. Share your highlights – tag or send us a direct message.

For day 4 of our Week of Action, see the collective power of this movement so far.
We need to make sure that every voice, from major cities to regional and remote communities, are heard. Is your community represented?
Check out our interactive map to see exactly where responses are coming from.
Help us fill the gaps so that all of NSW is reflected in this vital inquiry.

Members are taking our More Than Thanks – It's Time campaign for additional preparation time right to their local MP’s front door.
Head to our website for more information about More Than Thanks – It's Time.

Have your voice heard: the Schools For Our Future inquiry invites parents, teachers, students, and community members to share your stories by writing a submission.

Share your experiences about what you have seen and what needs to change when it comes to public school infrastructure. Download the AEU’s writing resource guide to support writing the submission via the link in comments.

Aboriginal land rights in NSW are under attack.
Federation is standing with the NSW Aboriginal Land Council and the Aboriginal Education Consultative Group to oppose the Crown Land Management Amendment (Statutory Review) Bill 2026 that would undo more than 40 years of progress under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983, one of Australia's most significant land restitution frameworks.
We're calling on the Government to withdraw the Bill or amend it to remove every provision that undermines established legal protections and Aboriginal land rights.
Take action now: sign the petition today to help us reach 20,000 signatures and force debate in NSW Parliament. Every signature makes a real difference. Click the link in the comments to read more and add your name.

The Schools For Our Future Inquiry is considering everything and anything to do with the securing our children’s future.
But we can’t secure the future without a plan to build it.
It’s day 2 of AEU's week of action. Today, we want you to write a postcard from the future: www.schoolsforourfuture.org.au/week_of_action
Share what you think is needed to prepare every child for a rapidly changing world.

Education Quarterly Issue 18 is heading your way! Check your mailboxes and workplaces, this week and next.
This issue: campaign updates, members share their stories about workload and the need for more preparation time, features on distance education and the restoration of the Corrective Services Teacher Association, as well as the usual favourites.

Facilities help deliver results, but funding for public school buildings hasn’t kept pace with demand.
That's why the Australian Education Union is running the Schools For Our Future inquiry.
We need a long-term, nation-building approach to public school infrastructure, not piecemeal fixes.
Take this short quiz to test your knowledge: www.schoolsforourfuture.org.au/week_of_action

🌍 Federation is a proud sponsor of Refugee Week 🌍
From 14–20 June, we join communities across Australia in recognising and celebrating the contributions refugees make to our society.
We encourage workplaces, schools, and TAFE colleges to promote greater awareness of refugees and the issues they face. This could include planning events, starting conversations, and celebrating inclusion throughout the week.
👉 Access resources and support materials via link in comments.
Together, we can help build stronger, more inclusive communities. 💙