The $500 million education business system caused chaos in January, with students unable to enrol or access results and transcripts. 

The system that promised to streamline enrolments, administration, process fees, coursework and all TAFE business has instead added hundreds of hours to a dwindling staff’s workload, they say.

“This is tipping people over the edge that’ve always been able to weather whatever was thrown at us before,” NSW Teachers Federation Post Schools Organiser Kathy Nicholson said.

“We're always prepared to try and have a go and make things work, but the problem is this thing just doesn't work.”

A leaked document of the minutes from an Armidale campus staff meeting highlighted a growing list of issues that are forcing staff to do battle with a complex system they say was not properly piloted for use in the TAFE system.

Insiders also claim staff were leaving because of mental health issues related to an increased administrative duties workload. This was coupled with systems that don’t work and added frustration and pressure from managers.

The issue came to a head at a NSW TAFE Teachers Association Council on Friday with the group putting forward a number of requests. 

FOREMOST, a meeting with the Managing Director of TAFE NSW to express the continuing frustration of members and TAFE NSW plans to alleviate the stress of staff caused by the computer system.

The teaching body is not alone in its frustration; Northwest regional organiser for the Public Service Association Steve Mears 

said that administration staff were under the same pressures.

“The system doesn’t work, it’s causing a lot of 

double handling and a little to lack of training,” Mr Mears said. “Everyone is just stressed to the max.” Both the teaching staff and administration are seeing a rise in work place related stress with both 

union bodies urging their members to lodge work place health and safety reports.

“The solution is difficult, I’d say a lot of the issues just come from a lack of staff,” Mr Mears said. 

“The system may improve but whether or not it improves enough to keep up with the lack of staff as well is anyone’s guess.”

Member for Norther Tablelands Adam Marshall said that he was unaware of the computer issues.  

“I would welcome the chance to meet personally with the Federation and TAFE staff to hear their concerns directly so I can take any relevant matters up with government.”

Minster for Regional Development and Skills John Barilaro said, “TAFE NSW is in the process of upgrading and modernising its enrolment and business systems. 

“As with any new system, there have been some implementation issues that are being directly resolved,” Mr Barilaro said.