Casual relief teaching can feel like the dream job—no planning, no report writing, and the freedom to choose when you work. But, as with any role in education, there are pros and cons.
If you’re weighing up whether to stay in casual teaching or take a contract, here’s an honest breakdown of the good, the bad, and the unexpected when it comes to supply teaching.
✅ The Pros: Why Casual Teaching Can Be Amazing
1. Ultimate Flexibility
One of the biggest perks of being a casual teacher is choosing when you work. Need a mental health day? Want to take a holiday outside of school breaks? No problem! You’re in control of your schedule.
2. No Take-Home Work
Say goodbye to lesson planning, report writing, parent meetings, and admin. Once the bell rings, you’re done—no marking at midnight or stressing over assessments.
3. High Daily Pay Rate
While CRTs don’t get paid over school holidays, their daily rate is often higher than that of full-time teachers to make up for it. If you work consistently, it can similar to full-time wages.
4. Variety & New Experiences
If you love variety, supply teaching is for you! You get to experience different schools, year levels, and teaching styles. No two days are the same, and you’re constantly learning.
5. Avoiding School Politics
Full-time teachers often get caught up in staffroom drama, admin expectations, and never-ending meetings. As a casual relief teacher, you get to skip the politics and focus on teaching. All the fun and none of the responsibilities!
❌ The Cons: What Makes Casual Teaching Challenging?
1. No Guaranteed Work
One of the hardest parts of casual teaching is the unpredictability. Some weeks you’ll be fully booked; other weeks might be quiet. If you rely on a consistent income, this can be stressful.
2. Feeling Like the ‘New Teacher’ Every Day
Being in a different school each day means you don’t always get the same level of respect from students. Some classes will test you just because they know you won’t be back tomorrow.
3. No Sick Pay or Annual Leave
While full-time teachers get paid over holidays and can take sick days, supply teachers only get paid for the days they work. If you take time off, you don’t earn anything.
4. Walking Into the Unknown
Some days you’ll step into a well-organised classroom with a detailed lesson plan. Other days, you’ll find nothing but a whiteboard with "Good luck!" written on it. You have to be ready for anything.
5. Harder to Build Relationships
While you get to meet lots of students, it can be tough not forming long-term connections with a class. You don’t always get to see the progress students make, which can feel a bit disjointed and behaviour is often harder to manage without those connections with the students.
So, Is Casual Relief Teaching Right for You?
If you love flexibility, variety, and a work-life balance, casual relief teaching could be your perfect fit. But if you prefer stability, consistent pay, and deeper student relationships, a contract might be the better option.
The good news? You don’t have to choose one forever! Many teachers switch between casual and contract work depending on their life stage, financial needs, and career goals.
If you are wanting a full-time gig then I would definitely be saying "Yes" to contracts.
And if you are stepping into a classroom as a casual teacher, preparation is key. That’s why I created Teacher for a Day—the ultimate relief teaching resource that takes the stress out of walking into any classroom.
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What’s your experience with casual relief teaching? Do you love it or loathe it?
Let me know in the comments!
