Victorian teachers accept pay deal after strikes, ending dispute

Consensus Summary

Victorian public school teachers have voted overwhelmingly to accept a new pay and conditions deal, ending a months-long dispute that included three planned statewide strikes. The agreement, approved by 79% of union members on Monday, August 19, 2026, includes a minimum pay rise of 28.3% over four years, with some teachers receiving up to 32.4%, a $2,000 sign-on bonus, and a 1% annual lump-sum payment for those at the top of their salary bands. The deal also caps after-school meeting hours at 40 per year and secures existing face-to-face teaching hour limits in the agreement itself, not just through a deed. The government has committed to fully funding public schools under the Gonski plan before the November 28, 2026, election, a key demand of the union. The agreement will now proceed to a vote of all employees, with endorsement expected by October 2026.

The dispute began in earnest in March 2026, when teachers held their first statewide strike, followed by a second in July. A third strike, scheduled for August 19, 2026, was canceled after the vote. The bargaining process stretched over a year, with the union initially seeking a 35% pay increase over three years—a demand that was ultimately scaled back. The last enterprise bargaining agreement, signed in 2022, had delivered only an 8% pay rise over four years, well below inflation, fueling frustration among teachers. The government’s previous offers, including one in May 2026 that proposed 28% over four years, were rejected by members, with the June 2026 offer voted down by 58% despite union recommendations. The latest deal represents a significant concession from the government, costing over $5.4 billion, with an additional $700 million in the final offer.

Key figures in the negotiations included Australian Education Union (AEU) Victorian president Justin Mullaly, who praised the members for securing the deal, and Education Minister Gabrielle Williams, who welcomed the outcome. Premier Ben Carroll, who had previously overseen the negotiations as education minister, also played a role in securing the agreement. Mullaly emphasized that the deal was a result of direct efforts by AEU members, who demanded pay and conditions reflecting the value of their work. Williams noted that the agreement would make Victorian teachers the best paid in Australia, with the best conditions, and thanked educators for their advocacy. The Guardian highlighted the role of rank-and-file groups like Socialists in Schools and Fight the Crisis, which mobilized teachers against the union leadership and contributed to the eventual acceptance of the deal.

While the core details of the agreement are consistent across sources, there are differences in emphasis and specific figures. The Guardian reports that the pay rise ranges between 28.3% and 32.4% over four years, while THEAGE and ABC only mention the minimum 28.3% figure. The Guardian also notes that the deal includes eight student-free days each year from 2027, a detail not explicitly mentioned by THEAGE or ABC. Additionally, the Guardian provides more context on the rank-and-file rebellion within the AEU, which played a significant role in pushing for the deal, while THEAGE and ABC focus more on the union leadership’s role. The ABC highlights that 83% of union members participated in the vote, a figure not mentioned in the other sources.

The agreement now faces a final vote by all employees under the Fair Work Act, with endorsement expected by October 2026. The government has also pledged to continue negotiations with the Commonwealth to secure full funding for public schools, though the timing of this agreement remains uncertain. The deal is expected to remove the threat of further strikes before the November 28, 2026, election, allowing Labor MPs to return to school events and campaign on the improved pay and conditions for teachers. However, the union has indicated that further advocacy will be needed to ensure the government delivers on its promise to fully fund schools and improve working conditions, including making schools safer and addressing infrastructure needs.