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Factsheet: Communication allowance – Teacher aides

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Communication allowance – Teacher aides

What is a communication allowance?A communication allowance is an entitlement under the Department of Education and Training Teacher Aides’ Certified Agreement 2015 (the agreement) designed to compensate teacher aides who perform interpretation of alternative methods of communication. Interpretation means translating speech from one language into another in order to facilitate communication. How much is the allowance?Teacher aides who are required to provide interpretation services will receive a communication allowance of $10.94 per week (based on $569 p.a. with no pro-rata for the weekly payment) in accordance with Part 12.7 – Communication allowance of the certified agreement.

Part-time employees will receive the full weekly allowance (no pro-rata).

The allowance is paid on a fortnightly basis and remains payable until the teacher aide is no longer required to provide the service.

What are the eligibility requirements? A teacher aide is eligible to receive the allowance if they are qualified and required by the Department of Education (the department) to perform interpretation of either:

1. Braille2. Auslan3. Signed English4. Languages other than English (LOTE)

A person is qualified to perform interpretation services if they hold a formal qualification, or have successfully completed a proficiency test in Braille, Auslan, Signed English or LOTE.

See Communications allowance – Recognised qualifications (page 3) for a list of the formal qualifications recognised by the department.

When is a proficiency test used?Proficiency tests are used when a teacher aide believes he/she has a high skill level in Braille, Auslan, Signed English or LOTE but holds no formal qualifications.

What does a proficiency test involve?Proficiency tests should be conducted by someone who is qualified or has skills in the particular area (the assessor), using the relevant proficiency tests as a guide:

1. Proficiency test: Braille (Appendix A)2. Proficiency test: Auslan (Appendix B)3. Proficiency test: Signed English (Appendix C)4. Proficiency test: LOTE (Appendix D)

See Communication allowance – Proficiency tests (page 4) for a summary of the structure of each test.

http://ppr.det.qld.gov.au/

http://www.qirc.qld.gov.au/qirc/resources/pdf/certified_agreements/cert_agreements/2015/ca11_2015.pdf

http://www.qirc.qld.gov.au/qirc/resources/pdf/certified_agreements/cert_agreements/2015/ca11_2015.pdf



How do I claim the allowance?

Claims for payment of the allowance should be made at the beginning of the year where possible, once teacher aides have been allocated to classes.

Principals and teacher aides should notify Payroll Services to cease payment if interpretation services are no longer required.

For teacher aides who hold a formal qualification, please:

Complete the Claim for payment form (Appendix E). Attach to the Claim for payment form a copy of the certificate of the formal

qualification signed by a Justice of Peace. Include a commencement date. Return the Claim for payment form to the principal.

For teacher aides who have successfully completed a proficiency test, please:

Complete the Claim for payment form (Appendix E). Ensure the assessor has signed the Claim for payment form. Attach to the Claim for payment form a copy of the proficiency test performed. Return the Claim for payment form to the principal.

OR

For all enquiries, please contact: Employee Relations, Human Resources

[email protected]


mailto:[email protected]


Languages other than English (LOTE)

Course Name Institution

NAATI Language AideNAATI Paraprofessional Interpreter (formerly level 2 )NAATI Interpreter (formerly level 3)NAATI Conference Interpreter (formerly level 4)NAATI Conference Interpreter Senior (formerly level 5)

National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI)

Diploma of Interpreting (LOTE/English) in Cantonese, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin & SpanishAdvanced Diploma of Interpreting (LOTE/English) in Cantonese, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin & Spanish

Southbank TAFE

Masters of Arts in Japanese Interpreting and TranslationMaster of Arts in Translation and Interpreting English and Chinese

University of Queensland

Master of Applied Linguistics University of Southern Queensland

BrailleCourse Name Institution

Braille Proficiency Australian Braille Authority

Braille for Educators: distance mode Renwick Centre, NSW Department of Education, Training and Employment


Communication allowance – Recognised qualifications The following are approved formal qualifications recognised by the Department of Education, for the purposes of a teacher aide receiving a communication allowance:


https://secure.ridbc.org.au/renwick/sslpage.aspx?pid=464

https://secure.ridbc.org.au/renwick/sslpage.aspx?pid=464

Factsheet: Communication allowance – Teacher aidesSigning and AUSLANCourse Name Institution

NAATI Paraprofessional Interpreter (formerly level 2)NAATI Interpreter (formerly level 3)NAATI Conference Interpreter (formerly level 4)NAATI Conference Interpreter Senior (formerly level 5)

National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI)

Diploma of Interpreting: Auslan/EnglishCertificate II in AuslanCertificate III in Auslan

Southbank TAFE

Master of Special Education Griffith University




Proficiency test: Braille (Appendix A)

1. The teacher aide should produce Braille for the assessor to evaluate, and2. The teacher aide should translate / interpret the content of an unseen Braille document to the assessor in

English.

Proficiency test: Auslan (Appendix B)

1. The teacher aide should communicate to the assessor using Auslan, and2. The assessor should communicate a message for the teacher aide to interpret/read back to the assessor

in English.

Proficiency test: Signed English (Appendix C)

1. The teacher aide should communicate to the assessor using Signed English, and2. The assessor should communicate a message for the teacher aide to interpret / read back to the

assessor in English.

Proficiency test: LOTE (Appendix D)

1. The teacher aide should communicate to the assessor using the LOTE, and read and write the content of a document in the LOTE to the assessor.

2. The assessor should communicate a message in the LOTE for the teacher aide to read back to the assessor in English.

Note: This test should be done during a usual class activity.


For all enquiries, please contact: Employee Relations, Human Resources

[email protected]

Communication allowance – Proficiency tests The following are the proficiency tests developed by the Department of Education, which can be taken in lieu of formal qualifications for the purposes of claiming the communication allowance.

A teacher aide may contact their BSM or principal to assist in arranging a proficiency test assessment with a teacher or HOSES who is qualified or has skills in the particular area. A teacher aide is considered proficient (as possessing the qualification) if he/she is rated as 3, 4 or 5 on the proficiency test.


mailto:[email protected]

Appendix A

Proficiency test: Braille skillsApplicant’s name: _________________________________

Indicate the teacher aide’s skill level in the appropriate column using the following scale:

1 = Low 3 = Moderate 5 = High

Knowledge of Grade 2 Braille code 1 2 3 4 5Writing of word signs, group signs, contractions and short formsReading of word signs, group signs, contractions and short formsWriting of punctuation

Reading of punctuation

Writing of composition signs

Reading of composition signsWriting of basic Mathematics code (Cardinal numbers, ordinal numbers, Roman numbers, decimals, fractions, operational signs, dates, time of day)Reading of basic Mathematics code (as above)

Knowledge of formatting conventions 1 2 3 4 5Ability to generate, proof-read and edit Braille, using either manual or electronic methods, to produce a correctly-formatted and accurate document.

Average score

A teacher aide possesses the relevant skill level if rated an ‘average score’ of 3 or higher.

Additional skills (not included in average score) 1 2 3 4 5Knowledge of Science codeKnowledge of Music code

Knowledge of codes for languages other than English

Production of correctly-labelled tactile diagrams



Appendix AComments:

Applicant’s signature: ________________________ Date: ___________

Assessor’s details

Name: ________________________________ Date: ___________

Position held: ______________________ Signature: ______________________



Appendix B

Proficiency test: AUSLAN skills Applicant’s name: _________________________________



Skill / Criteria 1 2 3 4 5

Overall clarity of story/message

Accuracy of interpretation/signs used

Use of expression

Age appropriateness of interpretation/ signs used

Use of role shift

Use of classifiers

Use of fingerspelling

Ability to read back a message presented in Auslan

Use of SE (1=non-existent 3=existent 5=extensive)

Average score


Comments:



Name: ________________________________ Date: ___________




Appendix C

Proficiency test: Signed English skills

Applicant’s name: _________________________________



Skill / Criteria 1 2 3 4 5

Overall clarity of story/message

Accuracy of interpretation/signs used

Use of expression

Age appropriateness of interpretation/ signs used

Use of fingerspelling

Ability to read back a message presented in Signed English

Average score


Comments:



Name: ________________________________ Date: ___________




Appendix D

Proficiency test: Languages other than English (LOTE) skills

Applicant’s name: _________________________________

Indicate in the relevant column whether the teacher aide’s skill is Adequate or Inadequate using the following criteria:

Skill / Criteria Adequate InadequateOral Communication in LOTECan speak in the LOTE and be understood without difficulty but some repetition may be needed.Can give a brief summary of text in the LOTE.

Listening to LOTECan understand the LOTE without difficulty.

Reading LOTECan interpret key points (e.g. times, places) of simple factual materials dealing with everyday topics.Can provide brief summary of text written in the LOTE.

Writing in LOTECan write text in the LOTE that is coherent, relevant and mostly accurate.

OVERALL

A teacher aide possesses the relevant skill level if rated adequate in the majority of criteria.

Comments:



Name: ________________________________ Date: ___________




Appendix E

COMMUNICATION ALLOWANCE FOR TEACHER AIDESCLAIM FOR PAYMENT

This form is to be used to Claim Payment for Communication Allowance for Teacher Aides.Please use BLOCK LETTERS unless otherwise instructed. Please forward to your Payroll Services

Centre for processing.

PRIVACY: The Department of Education is collecting personal information on this form in accordance with Human Resource systems and business processes. The form will be securely stored within the relevant Central Office, Regional Office. The information may be disclosed to third parties without your consent. Third parties include Government Superannuation Office, Australian Taxation Office, Queensland College of Teachers, Industrial organisations or other entities in accordance with or where requested by law or industrial instrument.

Employee Number: Date of Birth: / /

Title: (eg Mr/Mrs/Ms/Miss/Dr) Surname: Given Names:

Position Location: District: Location Code:

Employment Status: Permanent Temporary Casual

Commencement date:(When interpretation commenced - e.g. 23 Jan 2018)

Completion date:(Do not complete if interpretation is ongoing)

Eligible employees (must fulfil both 1 and 2):

1. Required to provide interpretation 2. Holds relevant qualification (Refer to Guidelines)

Skill type(choose a or b or c or d):

a. Language other than English b. Braille c. Auslan d. Signed English

Qualification type (choose (i) or (ii):

(i) Formal Qualification (Provide details below)

(ii) Proficiency Test for LOTE, Braille, Auslan or Signed English(Assessor must sign below)

(i) FORMAL QUALIFICATION: Attach copy of qualification (original signed by Justice of the Peace)

Full Title of Course: e.g. Certificate II in Auslan, Diploma of Interpreting (LOTE/English) in Japanese

Educational Institution Date Commenced

Period of Course

Month & Year Completed

(ii) PROFICIENCY TEST FOR LOTE, BRAILLE, AUSLAN OR SIGNED ENGLISH: Assessor must sign below

ASSESSOR CERTIFICATION: I certify that I assessed the claimant using the appropriate Proficiency Test and he/she has the skills required.

Assessor’s Name: Position: Date of Assessment: / /

Assessor’s Signature: Date: / /

EMPLOYEE CERTIFICATION: I certify that the allowance claimed and other details shown above are correct and the amounts are due and payable to me for the work performed.

Employee’s Signature: Date: / /

PRINCIPAL/ APPROVING OFFICER CERTIFICATION: I approve submission for payment and certify that the claimant above is required to provide interpretation on a regular basis and holds a relevant qualification, according to departmental guidelines.

Principal/ Approving Officer’s Name:

Principal/ Approving Officer’s Signature: Date: / /

PROCESSING UNIT USE ONLY: Date Processed: / / Fortnight End Date:Initials: Verified By:

