There are concerns we’ll see a further drop in public school teachers, if the state government doesn’t lift its cap on wages.

For the past four years teachers have been restricted to a $1,000 a year pay rise.

State School Teachers Union president Pat Byrne told Gareth Parker it’s putting people off from entering the profession.

“We are seeing teacher shortages … particularly in regional areas and also in specific subject areas, and part of that is due to a drop in the number of people applying to go into teaching,” she said.

“It isn’t just about a short term pay rise, it is about the longer health and wellbeing of the profession.

She said with the budget in good shape and a multi-billion dollar surplus forecast a $1,000 a year increase is not an “unreasonable ask”.

Press PLAY to hear the full interview 

(Photo: iStock by Getty Images.)