Key Takeaways
- The Australian Education Union (AEU) and the Victorian government have reached an in‑principle agreement delivering pay rises of 28‑32 % for public‑school teachers, with variations based on role.
- The deal will make many Victorian teachers the highest‑paid educators in Australia, pushing a top‑scale teacher’s salary from about $118,000 to over $151,000 by October.
- In addition to salary increases, teachers will receive three extra student‑free days each year, raising the total planning time to eight days annually.
- Early‑childhood staff are also covered, receiving a 39 % pay rise over four years.
- The agreement follows a year‑long dispute, a rejected 17 % government offer, and statewide strike action that saw roughly 35,000 educators march on parliament.
- AEU Victorian branch president Justin Mullaly expects members to ratify the deal in a June vote, with pay increases to begin shortly thereafter.
- Education Minister Ben Carroll describes the agreement as one of the fastest negotiated, valued at $4.6 billion over its term, and asserts it provides the best working conditions for teachers nationwide.
Overview of the Agreement
The Australian Education Union’s Victorian branch announced that it has reached an in‑principle agreement with the state government after prolonged negotiations. The settlement addresses a long‑running wage dispute and outlines a comprehensive package of salary increases, additional planning time, and related benefits for public‑school educators. Both parties characterised the deal as a compromise that moves teachers from the lower end of the national pay scale toward the top.
Pay Rise Structure and Percentages
Under the agreement, public‑school teachers will receive pay rises ranging from 28 % to 32 %, with the exact percentage determined by the educator’s role and classification. The AEU had originally sought a flat 35 % increase over three years for all members, arguing that Victorian teachers lagged behind their interstate peers. The final package therefore offers a differentiated approach that still delivers substantial raises across the board.
Positioning Victoria as a Pay Leader
Government officials highlighted that the new salaries will place many Victorian teachers among the highest paid in the country. By October, a teacher at the top of the pay scale is projected to surpass the earnings of a comparable New South Wales colleague, marking a notable shift in the state’s competitive standing for educator remuneration.
Salary Impact on a Top‑Scale Teacher
The agreement translates into concrete dollar figures for high‑earning staff. A teacher currently earning approximately $118,000 will see their salary rise to over $151,000 once the increases are fully implemented. This represents an uplift of more than $15,000, directly addressing the union’s claim that Victorian educators were previously underpaid relative to other jurisdictions.
Timing of the Initial Pay Increases
The first tranche of pay rises is scheduled to take effect later this year, with increases ranging from 13 % to 16.7 % depending on the employee’s classification. Subsequent increments will follow the agreed timetable, allowing the total 28‑32 % rise to be realised over the life of the agreement.
Additional Student‑Free Days for Planning
Beyond monetary compensation, the deal grants teachers three extra student‑free days each year. Combined with existing entitlements, educators will now have a total of eight days annually dedicated to lesson planning, assessment preparation, and professional development without classroom responsibilities.
Provisions for Early‑Childhood Staff
The agreement also extends benefits to the early‑childhood sector. AEU has endorsed a separate offer that will provide early‑childhood educators and support staff with a 39 % pay rise over four years, recognising the critical role they play in the education pipeline and aiming to improve recruitment and retention in that segment.
Historical Context: Rejection, Strikes, and Negotiations
Prior to this settlement, the union had rejected the government’s initial 17 % offer after more than a year of talks. Frustration over stalled negotiations culminated in statewide strike action in March, during which teachers and supporters marched to the Victorian parliament; police estimated the crowd at roughly 35,000 participants. The strikes underscored the depth of dissatisfaction and helped push both sides toward a more generous resolution.
Union Endorsement and Upcoming Member Vote
AEU Victorian branch president Justin Mullaly expressed confidence that members will ratify the agreement, describing it as “a really good agreement” that exceeds the original government proposal. The union expects the formal vote to occur in June, with the approved pay increases to commence in the months following a successful ballot.
Government Perspective: Speed, Cost, and Working Conditions
Education Minister Ben Carroll countered criticisms that the process had been overly lengthy, asserting that the timeline demonstrates one of the swiftest education‑sector agreements reached in recent memory. He characterised the deal as valued at approximately $4.6 billion over its duration and emphasized that it delivers the best working conditions for teachers anywhere in Australia.
Political Reactions and Premier’s Outlook
Opposition leader Jess Wilson criticised the duration of the dispute, arguing that prolonged strikes had harmed students and families. In response, Premier Jacinta Allan reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting educator pay rises and framed the agreement as a fulfillment of that promise, highlighting the collaborative effort required to reach a workable solution. The forthcoming teacher vote will ultimately determine whether the proposed package becomes the new standard for Victoria’s public‑school workforce.