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1. INTRODUCTION
The School Assistant 2/3 Preschool Assistant Competency guidelines were developed to implement a process for
preschool assistants to progress through the competency (soft) salary barrier between increment level 5 and
increment level 6.
2. REFERENCE
These guidelines have been developed in accordance with the Clause T20 of the ACTPS Administrative and Related
Classifications Enterprise Agreement 2013-2017 (the Agreement).
3. SCHOOL ASSISTANT 2/3 SALARY SCALE
PAY RATE FROM 1 JULY 2013
INCREMENT LEVEL 1 $41 208
INCREMENT LEVEL 2 $42 294
INCREMENT LEVEL 3 $43 360
INCREMENT LEVEL 4 $44 436
*INCREMENT LEVEL 5 $45 505
INCREMENT LEVEL 6 $46 690
INCREMENT LEVEL 7 $47 858
INCREMENT LEVEL 8 $49 024
INCREMENT LEVEL 9 $50 251
*Soft salary barrier after increment level 5 for progression to increment level 6.
4. ELIGIBILITY
From 30 May 2014, the date of operation of the ACTPS Administrative and Related Classification Enterprise
Agreement 2013-2017 (the Agreement) preschool assistants who are on increment level 5 are eligible to make an
application to progress through the competency salary barrier to access increment level 6 and above.
In order to progress through the competency salary barrier a preschool assistant must have satisfactory work
performance and conduct; meet the competencies outlined in these guidelines; and have acquired the approved
certificate III level qualification requirement (Certificate III in Childrens Services or equivalent) as detailed in the
Education and Care Services National Law Act (ACT) 2011 and Regulation, and Australian Childrens Education and
Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) approved.
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COMPETENCY SALARY
BARRIER
SCHOOL ASSISTANT 2/3 PRESCHOOL ASSISTANT COMPETENCY GUIDELINES

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5. APPLICATION PROCESS
Applicant (LSA)
An eligible preschool assistant is required to make an application for assessment by completing the Application for
progression through the competency salary barrier (attachment A) and provide it to the principal for endorsement. The
preschool assistant may include documentation of evidence against the competencies with their application.
The applicant must also provide evidence that they have acquired the approved certificate III level qualification.
Principal
The principal makes an assessment against each competency. The assessment process would usually include a
discussion with key personal such as the preschool assistant and the preschool teacher. The principal may request
documentation of evidence or rely on their knowledge of the preschool assistants achievement of competencies, or a
combination of both.
The principal also certifies that the preschool assistant has acquired the approved certificate III level qualification and
their conduct and work performance is satisfactory.
If the Preschool Assistant meets all the competencies, has acquired the approved certificate III qualification and
conduct and work performance is satisfactory, the principal will endorse the application.
The principal will then forward the application form (with or without their endorsement) and a copy of the approved
certificate III level qualification to HR People Services.
HR People Services
HR People Services will arrange for the delegates approval and forward the approved application to Shared Services
for processing.
Delegate
The delegate is the Director Human Resources. Applications that are endorsed by the principal will be reviewed and,
where appropriate, approved by the delegate.
6. DECISION TO NOT ENDORSE
The principal may decide not to endorse an application for the following reasons:
o the applicant does not meet the competencies. This must be discussed with the Preschool Assistant and
strategies initiated to assist them to meet the relevant competencies through their Performance and
Development Plan (PDP). A review date should be set and agreed.
o the applicant has not acquired the approved certification III level qualification requirement
(Certificate III in Childrens Services or equivalent) as detailed in the Education and Care Services National
Law Act (ACT) 2011 and Regulation.

N.B The applicant must be actively working towards acquiring the approved certificate III level qualification. If
this is not the case the applicant cannot work in a preschool setting.
o the applicants conduct or work performance is not satisfactory and relevant procedures are being undertaken
to address the issues.
The applicant has the right to seek an Internal Review in accordance with Section I, of the Agreement.
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7. APPROVED APPLICATIONS
Date of Effect
Where an application is approved by the delegate, the Preschool Assistant will progress through the competency
salary barrier on the date their next increment is due. If the approved applicant has been at increment level 5 for more
than 12 months, they will move to increment level 6 from the date the principal endorses their application.
Transition to the SA2/3 classification
In accordance with clause T20 of the Agreement, all preschool assistants will be transferred to the school assistant 2/3
classification at their current increment level. Eligible preschool assistants may apply for progression through the
competency barrier in accordance with the process set out in this document.
Where a preschool assistant has been at increment level 5 for more than 12 months on 30 May 2014 and their
application for progression has been approved, they will progress to increment level 6 effective from
30 May 2014.
8. ABOVE BASE
Where justified, a Preschool Assistant may be placed directly on increment level 6 or above in accordance with clause
C5.7 of the Agreement. This would normally occur following a selection process where the Preschool Assistant
competencies have been demonstrated and the approved certificate III level qualification has been acquired.
9. COMPETENCY PROFILE
To progress to increment level 6 a preschool assistant must be demonstrating the unit of competencies set out in this
document.


PRESCHOOL ASSISTANT COMPETENCIES INDICATORS
1. Uphold the values and principles of public service Apply ethical standards
Deal with ethical problems
2. Use workplace communication strategies Respond to enquires
Receive and give directions
Participate in meetings
Make presentations within the workgroup
3. Use technology in the workplace Select and use technology
Maintain technology
4. Work effectively in the organisation Evaluate and develop own expertise
Work within the organisational structure and context
Manage own work
5. Contribute to workgroup activities Establish workgroup parameters
Participate in the workgroup
Assist workgroup members
6. Work effectively with diversity Recognise and value individual differences
Work effectively with diverse clients and colleagues
GENERAL COMPETENCIES
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7. Comply with legislation in the public sector Identify legislative requirements
Comply with legislative requirements
Report incidents of non-compliance
Exercise mandatory reporting obligations
8. Contribute to workplace health and safety Contribute to and participate in workplace health and safety arrangements
Identify hazards and control risks
Establish and maintain safe and healthy environments for children
9. Give and receive workplace feedback Seek and act on workplace feedback
Provide informal feedback in the workplace
Provide formal feedback in the workplace
10. Access and use resources Access and use resources
Administer physical resources




SA2/3 PRESCHOOL ASSISTANT INDICATORS
11. Support childrens learning Responsive to all childrens strengths, abilities, interests and knowledge
Assess, anticipate and extend childrens learning through a range of strategies
including but not limited to open questioning, collaborative learning, sustained
shared conversations, guiding, scaffolding, teachable moments, modelling,
explaining and problem solving.
Collaboratively develop physical and social learning environments that have a
positive impact on childrens learning
Promote and model positive behaviour and interactions
Support the inclusion of all children
Use a range of strategies to collect, document, organise, synthesise and interpret
childrens learning

12. Work with family and community Build positive relationships with children and families
Value the cultural and social contexts of children and their families
Demonstrate an ongoing commitment to developing cultural competence
Collaboratively create and maintain a welcoming environment

13. Support transitions Provide for continuity in experiences to enable successful transitions
Work collaboratively with colleagues and other professionals to ensure successful
transitions for all children


PRESCHOOL SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES
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Principal to complete
Competency assessment
Please assess the applicant for each competency and tick either demonstrated (ie evident on a consistent basis) or developing.
Refer to the guidelines for more detail about each competency.
General competencies Demonstrated Developing Demonstrated Developing
1. Uphold the values and principles of public service 6. Work effectively with diversity
2. Use workplace communication strategies

7. Comply with legislation in the public sector

3. Use technology in the workplace

8. Contribute to workplace safety

4. Work effectively in the organisation 9. Give and receive workplace feedback
5. Contribute to workgroup 10. Access and use resources

Preschool specific competencies Demonstrated Developing
Comments
Describe how the Preschool Assistant is demonstrating these competencies as part
of their core role
11. Support childrens learning
Responsive to all childrens strengths, abilities, interests and knowledge
Assess, anticipate and extend childrens learning through a range of strategies including but not limited
to open questioning, collaborative learning, sustained shared conversations, guiding, scaffolding,
teachable moments, modelling, explaining and problem solving.
Collaboratively develop physical and social learning environments that have a positive impact on
childrens learning
Promote and model positive behaviour and interactions
Support the inclusion of all children
Use a range of strategies to collect, document, organise, synthesise and interpret childrens learning


12. Work with family and community
Build positive relationships with children and families
Value the cultural and social contexts of children and their families
Demonstrate an ongoing commitment to developing cultural competence
Collaboratively create and maintain a welcoming environment

Application for progression through the competency (salary) barrier Preschool Assistant School Assistant 2/3
The School Assistant 2/3 (SA2/3) classification has a competency barrier between increment level 5 and increment level 6.
Preschool Assistants who reach increment level 5 are eligible to make an application to progress through the competency barrier.
(Please refer to the guidelines for more information)
Applicant to complete
Name

AGS No

School

Years in position as a preschool assistant

Applicants Signature

Date

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School assistant 2/3 Preschool assistant competency guidelines - Attachment A
Preschool specific competencies Demonstrated Developing
Comments
Describe how the Preschool Assistant is demonstrating these competencies
as part of their core role
13. Enable transitions
Provide for continuity in experiences to enable successful transitions
Work collaboratively with colleagues and other professionals to ensure successful transitions for all children


Principal endorsement
Please tick one of the following boxes. If the applicant is assessed as developing on any of the competencies then the box Application not endorsed/increment deferred must be ticked.
Application endorsed the applicant has met all competencies and has acquired the approved certificate III level qualification. Conduct and work performance is satisfactory
Application not endorsed/increment deferred
the applicant does not meet the competencies; strategies for development initiated
the applicant has not acquired the approved certificate III level qualification; applicant is actively working towards acquiring the approved qualification.
the applicants conduct or work performance is not satisfactory and relevant procedures are being undertaken.
Principals name:

Principals signature:
Applicants signature (to be signed after assessment): Date:

If the application has been endorsed forward the signed form to Manager, HR People Services.
Human Resources to complete
HR People Services to complete
The applicant meets all requirements for progression through the competency barrier

Delegate to complete

Application is approved / not approved



Director Human Resources
Date:
Name:

Classification:

Signature Date:

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