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Area School Principals’ Collective Agreement (ASPCA) 2025 changes
This collective agreement (CA) includes increases in pay rates and allowances, two new allowances and a protection allowance relating to the new definition of area schools.
Key dates
- The new collective agreement is effective from 18 December 2025.
- Payslips from 14 April 2026 (pay day PP01) will show backdated pay from 18 December 2025 that includes the new pay rates and allowances.
- The corresponding Individual Employment Agreement (IEA) was promulgated on 28 January 2026.
Increases to U-Grade salary rates
U-Grade salary rates increase from 18 December 2025 and will increase again from 18 December 2026. Additional U-grade rates recognise the leadership responsibilities of principals leading larger and more complex schools.
For the rates table, see part 3 of the ASPCA.
Area school definition change – protection allowance
From 28 January 2026, area schools have a new definition. If this change reduces a principal’s overall remuneration, they will receive an allowance to cover the difference (eg, protection allowance).
See the ASPCA for more information:
- Clause 1.8.1 (b): for the new definition of area schools, and
- Appendix 1: for the list of schools that are covered by the new definition.
New allowances
NCEA change implementation allowance
This allowance recognises the additional responsibilities due to NCEA changes during the term of the collective agreement. It is $6,000 per annum, paid fortnightly from 18 December 2025 to 17 June 2028. It will be paid automatically to eligible principals and will show on the SUE report as paycode NCEAA.
Principal mentor allowance
The principal mentor allowance is available from the start of term two 2026 and is $5,000 per annum. If the principal at your school is selected as a mentor, please use the Allowance changes for teachers and principals (EP16t) form, paycode PMA8, to add this allowance.
Increases to allowances
The agreement includes increases to the following allowances.
Principals’ career structure payment
This allowance increases by $1,500 for beginning, experienced and leading principals, effective 28 January 2026.
Area school principal payment allowance
This allowance increases for all U Grades by $1000 from 28 January 2026 then by another $500 from 28 January 2027.
For more information about these allowances, see parts 3 and 4 of the ASPCA.
Individual employment agreement (IEA)
The corresponding Area School Principals’ IEA was promulgated on 28 January 2026. If your school’s principal has signed this IEA, please complete an Individual Employment Agreement (IEA) change (EP22) form, as this IEA will not be available on EdPay’s IEA change screen.
Removing the EdPay-ESL workaround link - reminder
On 7 April 2026, we will remove the temporary link that allowed you to open EdPay with your old username and password. From that date, all users will need to open EdPay via their ESL account.
Public holidays and unpaid leave
As we approach the Easter break and Anzac Day, it might be a good time to remind employees at your school about public holidays and unpaid leave. Most employees aren’t paid for public holidays that fall while they’re on planned unpaid leave, but there are exceptions, eg, term-time-only employees.
This table shows term break public holiday entitlements for different types of school employees.
Timesheet-only employees
Please pay timesheet-only employees via timesheets for any public holidays during the term break that fall on days of the week they normally work.
We hope you enjoyed a productive first term and that you can recharge your batteries over the term break.
Ngā mihi
Education Payroll
