Public School Teachers in Victoria and Tasmania Undertake Strikes Over Wage and Workload Disagreements

Public School Strikes Disrupt Education in Victoria and Tasmania Amidst Ongoing Disputes

Public school teachers, principals, and education support staff in Victoria and Tasmania have engaged in widespread industrial action, including statewide strikes, over ongoing disputes regarding pay, working conditions, and school funding. These strikes, which marked the first major statewide action in Victoria in 13 years, led to significant disruption in schools across both states, affecting tens of thousands of staff and students. Negotiations between the Australian Education Union (AEU) and the respective state governments are ongoing.

Victorian Industrial Action

On Tuesday, March 24, approximately 35,000 educators from Victorian government schools participated in a 24-hour strike. The action included a march through Melbourne's central business district, from Trades Hall to Parliament House, which temporarily halted city traffic and public transport. Teachers in border regions, such as Wodonga, also demonstrated, marching to the New South Wales border.

The strike affected an estimated 500 schools, which either closed or operated with limited supervision. Many schools advised parents to keep their children home, though most remained open to provide supervision for a limited number of students, particularly for children of emergency workers, subject to prior arrangements. The Department of Education indicated that it would utilize casual relief teachers and retired teachers to maintain some school operations, and students might be grouped by age for alternative activities. Staff from Parkville College, which serves students in Victoria's youth justice system, also participated in the strike.

The industrial action followed eight months of enterprise bargaining agreement (EBA) negotiations between the AEU and the Victorian government. The Fair Work Commission had approved the strike after 98% of AEU members voted in favour.

Key Disputed Issues in Victoria

A central issue is the remuneration of Victorian public school teachers, who the AEU states are among the lowest paid nationally.

• The AEU has highlighted a pay gap, stating that the government's offer would result in Victorian teachers earning up to $15,359 less per year than their New South Wales counterparts by October 2026.
• In 2025, entry-level teachers in Victoria earned approximately $79,589, compared to $90,177 in New South Wales. Similarly, Victorian school principals received $156,335, while principals in New South Wales earned $178,812.
• The Victorian Department of Education attributed pay gaps with other states to the varying timings of enterprise bargaining agreements and stated that Victorian principals remain the highest paid nationally.

The AEU criticized the Victorian government's decision to delay its commitment to fully fund state schools to the nationally agreed Schooling Resourcing Standard (SRS) by three years, pushing the target to 2031. This delay is estimated by the AEU to result in a $2.4 billion shortfall in state school funding. The matter is currently under examination by a state parliamentary inquiry.

Teachers are also seeking improvements to working conditions, citing excessive workloads, unpaid overtime, and staff shortages.

• Demands include reduced class sizes, enhanced mental health and classroom support, and measures to address administrative burdens and burnout.
• The AEU requested five additional pupil-free days annually, while the government offered one professional development day within existing student-free days.
• The AEU alleged that proposed changes to work allocations by the Education Department would remove caps on face-to-face teaching and class sizes; the department denied this. The Department of Education stated that Victorian educators experience favourable conditions in terms of face-to-face teaching time and teacher-to-student ratios, with class sizes similar to those in NSW.

A specific point of contention is the pay offer for education support staff. The government offered a 13% pay rise plus an overtime allowance for these staff, compared to a 17% rise plus an overtime allowance for teachers and principals. The AEU called this offer "insulting" and is advocating for a single pay offer for all staff under the Victorian Government Schools Agreement. Education support staff, whose entry-level annual salaries are below $52,000, perform roles including school psychologists, business managers, office staff, librarians, and IT personnel.

Victorian Negotiation Positions

• A 35% pay increase over four years.
• Reduced class sizes.
• Enhanced mental health and classroom support.
• Measures to address excessive workloads, unpaid overtime, and staff shortages.
• Five additional pupil-free days annually.
• A single, comprehensive pay offer for all staff (teachers, principals, and education support staff).
• Full funding for public schools.

• An offer of approximately an 18.5% pay package over four years, including a 1.5% overtime allowance. This includes an 8% pay rise for teachers and principals, and 4% for education support staff, effective in April, followed by a 3% rise for each of the subsequent three years for teachers and principals.
• An additional student-free day.
• A trial of flexible work arrangements.
• Measures to reduce teacher paperwork, such as simpler student reports.

The AEU rejected the government's offer, stating it was "totally unacceptable" and would not adequately address concerns regarding pay or working conditions. Education Minister Ben Carroll described the offer as "compelling and significant," stating it would provide "the best conditions in the nation" for teachers. He also denied that the offer would leave Victorian teacher wages behind those in other states.

Tasmanian Industrial Action

Public school teachers in Tasmania also engaged in strikes during the same week.

• Public schools in the north-west of the state were closed on Tuesday.
• Public schools in the north of the state were closed on Wednesday.
• Public schools in the south of the state were closed on Thursday.

The AEU Tasmania branch had announced the planned strikes two weeks in advance to allow families to prepare. The strikes led to school closures and caused disruption for families, businesses, and student learning. Earlier in the month, NAPLAN testing in Tasmania was not conducted due to teachers' refusal to administer the examinations, which was linked to ongoing demands for an improved pay agreement.

Tasmanian Negotiation Positions

• Clarity regarding a clause about "right-sizing the workforce," which the union interprets in light of the government's public goal to reduce 2,800 public sector jobs by 2032.
• Assurances regarding teacher workloads and recognition for work performed beyond standard duties.
• More teacher aides.

• Pay increases of 3% in the first year, 3% in the second year, and 2.75% in the third year, along with various incentives and conditions.
• Provisions for more school psychologists, increased incentives and allowances, and funding for professional learning opportunities.

The AEU described the offer as "getting closer" but highlighted significant unresolved issues, particularly the workforce clause. Education Minister Jo Palmer expressed disappointment that the offer was rejected, stating it addressed key concerns teachers had previously raised.

Government and Union Responses

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan urged the AEU to cancel the strike and return to negotiations, describing the government's offer as "fair and genuine" and "strong." Education Minister Ben Carroll reiterated the government's valuation of teachers and encouraged the union to prioritize dialogue over industrial action.

AEU Victorian branch president Justin Mullaly stated that teachers felt compelled to strike due to a perceived lack of valuation and government responsiveness, emphasizing that teachers would prefer to be in classrooms. He also noted that the AEU leadership's rejection of the government's offer was based on mandates from elected representatives across the state.

Parents Victoria, an advocacy group, expressed support for "the principle behind the strike," acknowledging the pressure teachers face, despite concerns about disruption to children's education. Deputy Liberal leader David Southwick supported the Victorian strike, validating teachers' pay concerns.

Tasmanian AEU President David Genford indicated that the strong participation in the strikes demonstrated members' concerns regarding current pay and conditions. Education Minister Jo Palmer expressed disappointment regarding the continuation of the strikes, noting the disruption they would cause.

Broader Context and Future Outlook

The strikes occur amid a national teacher shortage, with teachers reporting increased stress, unmanageable workloads, and dissatisfaction with administrative burdens and prescriptive curriculum demands. Research indicates that many teachers also seek to feel more respected, valued, and trusted in their workplaces.

Historically, the Victorian education sector has experienced periods of funding reductions and varying pay scales influenced by earlier industrial agreements. The government has cited significant debt and infrastructure spending commitments as constraints on its offer.

Negotiations between the AEU and the Victorian Department of Education resumed the day after the strike. In Tasmania, the AEU has stated that if a deal is not reached by March 31, the union intends to escalate its actions, potentially including increased work bans and further strike action in early term two. The AEU leadership in Victoria has also indicated the possibility of further industrial action if the government's offer does not significantly improve.