Victorian public school teachers staging first statewide strike in 13 years over pay and conditions
Consensus Summary
Victorian public school teachers, principals, and support staff are staging their first statewide strike in 13 years on March 24, rejecting the government’s 17-18.5% pay offer over four years and demanding a 35% pay rise over three to four years. Over 30,000 workers, representing the nation’s lowest-paid public education workforce, are walking out after eight months of negotiations, citing excessive workloads, underfunding, and inadequate mental health support. The strike has disrupted over 500 schools, with many offering limited supervision or closing entirely, while the government insists schools will remain open using casual and retired staff. Premier Jacinta Allan and Education Minister Ben Carroll have urged teachers to return to negotiations, framing the strike as disruptive for families, but the Australian Education Union (AEU) maintains the government’s offer fails to address systemic issues like staffing shortages and funding gaps tied to the Gonski reforms. Parents and unions have expressed mixed support, acknowledging the teachers’ grievances but recognizing the logistical challenges of the strike day. The dispute highlights broader tensions over funding priorities, with Victoria lagging behind other states in fully implementing Gonski funding and facing a projected $2.4 billion shortfall by 2031.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- The Australian Education Union (AEU) is leading a 24-hour statewide strike on Tuesday, March 24, involving over 30,000 Victorian public school teachers, principals, and education support staff.
- The strike follows the AEU’s rejection of the Victorian government’s 17% pay offer (18.5% in one source) over four years, calling it ‘completely unacceptable’ and demanding a 35% pay rise over three/four years.
- The Fair Work Commission approved the strike after 98% of AEU members voted in favor of industrial action.
- More than 500 schools in Victoria are expected to be closed or significantly disrupted due to the strike, with many offering supervision only for children of emergency workers.
- Victorian teachers are the lowest-paid public education workforce in Australia, with graduate teachers earning $78,801 compared to $90,177 in NSW, and experienced teachers facing a $15,000 pay gap with NSW counterparts.
- The strike is the first statewide government-school strike in Victoria since 2013, marking a major escalation in an eight-month wage dispute.
- Premier Jacinta Allan and Education Minister Ben Carroll have insisted schools will remain open on March 24, relying on casual relief teachers and retired staff to cover for striking workers.
- The Australian Principals Federation (APF) formally joined the opposition to the government’s pay offer on March 20, with some principals (who are AEU members) entitled to participate in the strike.
- The Victorian government has faced criticism for underfunding Gonski school reforms, with government schools receiving only 70.4% of state funding (vs. 75%+ in other states) and a $2.4 billion shortfall projected by 2031.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The Australian Principals Federation (APF) president Andrew Cock stated that principals are responsible for managing increasingly complex roles, including staff, student needs, compliance obligations, and community expectations, while remaining accountable for educational outcomes.
- The Victorian Principals Association president Andrew Dalgleish confirmed principals would not know until 5pm on Friday how many staff at their schools intend to strike, delaying firm decisions on school arrangements until Monday.
- The government’s 18.5% pay offer includes an 8% rise this year, followed by 3% annual rises for the next three years, plus a 1.5% overtime allowance.
- The AEU cited ‘secret cuts’ to Gonski funding, approved by the Budget and Finance Committee of Cabinet in March 2026, which will leave Victoria $2.4 billion short by 2031, despite the government’s pledge to deliver nationally competitive wages.
- The Australian Council of Trade Unions’ secretary, Sally McManus, noted that Victorian teachers sacrificed pay during COVID lockdowns and opted for small increases before inflation eroded their wages, contributing to their anger.
- The Independent Education Union’s general secretary, David Brear, stated that Victorian education salaries have fallen significantly below those in other states and supported the AEU’s campaign for fair pay and workload improvements.
- The AEU warned that the disruption from the strike could continue beyond Tuesday and that the government must ‘step up’ with a better offer, emphasizing that many education support staff struggle to make ends meet and hold multiple jobs.
- Teacher Emilie Owens (Parkville College) stated that about 65 staff from her school planned to strike, calling on the premier to see a ‘sea of red’ of school staff demanding fair wages and conditions.
- Claire Waring-Dallwitz (Rosanna Golf Links Primary) said her school of 550 students would have only three classrooms open on strike day, with the rest closed, due to staff shortages.
- The ABC quoted Premier Jacinta Allan urging teachers to abandon the strike, stating it would disrupt families at a time when they are already juggling many challenges.
- Parents Victoria’s chief executive, Gail McHardy, acknowledged broad support for the strike’s principle but noted families would still face challenges managing the day, relying on leave, work adjustments, or extended family support.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The Age reports the government’s pay offer is 17% over four years, while the Guardian and ABC state it is 18.5% (8% this year + 3% annually for three years).
- The Age mentions the AEU’s demand is a 35% pay rise over three years, but the Guardian and ABC specify four years for the 35% demand.
- The Guardian and ABC report some schools are advising parents to keep children home, while the Age states the Education Department initially insisted schools would remain open despite principals warning of alternative arrangements.
- The Age notes the government’s offer was tabled on Monday (March 24), but the ABC and Guardian imply it was made earlier in negotiations (e.g., ‘a week ago’).
- The Age reports the APF formally joined the opposition on March 20, while the Guardian and ABC do not specify this exact date for the federation’s involvement.
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