Victorian teachers and education workers have reached a tentative agreement with the state government, ending a protracted negotiation period that saw two major strikes earlier this year. The Australian Education Union (AEU) confirmed that its members approved the government’s revised pay offer, prompting the cancellation of a planned third 24-hour strike that would have occurred on Wednesday. The deal includes a guaranteed pay rise of 28.3 per cent over four years, along with improved working conditions and a $2,000 bonus for educators once the agreement takes effect. The AEU Victorian branch president, Justin Mullaly, announced that 79 per cent of union members supported the offer, with 83 per cent of eligible members participating in the vote. This marked a shift from previous rejections, such as a June offer that was rejected by 58 per cent of teachers and education staff. The new agreement includes provisions to cap after-school meeting hours at 40 annually, down from 80, and secure existing limits on face-to-face teaching hours for both primary and secondary teachers. Under the terms of the deal, graduate teachers will begin on a base salary of $96,589 starting in November 2027, up from the current $79,589. Experienced teachers will see their salaries increase from $118,063 to $151,419 by 2029, with a $15,393 raise in the current financial year alone. These figures surpass the salaries of teachers in New South Wales, according to the AEU. The union had initially sought a 35 per cent pay increase over three years, which would have placed graduate teachers on more than $107,400 by 2028 and experienced teachers on more than $159,300 by the same year. However, the revised offer from Education Minister Gabrielle Williams appears to have met the union halfway, offering a slightly lower percentage increase over a longer timeframe. The agreement is subject to final approval by all employees under the Fair Work Act, with the government expecting the deal to be endorsed by October if it receives widespread support. Williams expressed gratitude for the union’s decision to cancel the planned strike, noting the relief it brought to families and educators alike. Premier Ben Carroll has emphasized that fully funding public schools, as outlined in the Gonski model, remains a priority for his government. While he has not committed to achieving this goal before the November 28 election, he acknowledged the increased financial burden on taxpayers, estimating the cost of the new pay deal to be between $5 billion and $5.5 billion over four years. The resolution of the Victorian teachers' dispute carries broader implications for the education sector, particularly for the approximately 40,000 Catholic school staff currently negotiating their own enterprise agreement. Catholic teachers have enjoyed pay parity with Victorian public school teachers since the 1990s, and the outcome of these negotiations could influence similar discussions elsewhere. Mullaly reiterated the union’s commitment to ensuring the safety of schools and pushing for federal funding for school infrastructure. He stressed the importance of continued advocacy beyond the immediate pay deal, highlighting the need for both federal and state governments to fulfill their commitments regarding school funding and safety measures. As the agreement moves toward final ratification, the focus shifts to the upcoming employee vote and the potential endorsement by the Fair Work Commission. With the threat of further industrial action averted for now, attention turns to implementing the new terms and addressing remaining concerns within the education sector.
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