Victorian teachers strike over pay and conditions dispute

Consensus Summary

Victorian public school teachers are set to stage a second major strike in 2026, walking off the job for 24 hours on Thursday, July 23, after rejecting the state government’s latest pay offer. The union’s members voted 51.18 per cent to 48.82 per cent against a proposal that would have granted teachers a 28.3 per cent pay rise over four years, along with improved conditions such as halved mandatory meetings. The strike, expected to disrupt thousands of students and families, follows a similar 24-hour walkout in March, which drew about 35,000 educators to Melbourne’s streets—the first such action in 13 years. The union’s leadership, including president Justin Mullaly, has framed the dispute as a fight for adequate funding and workload relief, arguing that teachers are working excessive unpaid overtime and that the government’s offer falls short of addressing these issues.

The dispute traces back to May 2026, when the union and government reached an in-principle agreement offering teachers a pay rise of 28 per cent over four years, along with additional student-free days. However, union members rejected the deal a month later, citing dissatisfaction with workloads, school funding, and disparities in pay between teachers and support staff. The government’s revised offer, announced last week, included a 28.3 per cent pay rise for all staff and reduced meeting hours, but the union’s left faction, led by activist Lucy Honan, continues to push for a three-year deal and further concessions. The union has also imposed additional industrial actions, including bans on state Labor MPs visiting schools and implementing new programs, as part of term 3’s broader campaign.

Key figures in the dispute include Education Minister Ben Carroll, who has repeatedly urged the union to call off the strike, calling the vote outcome 'disappointing' and emphasizing that the offer would have made Victorian teachers the best paid in the country. Union president Justin Mullaly has accused the government of failing to adequately fund public schools, stating that teachers are leaving the profession due to unsustainable workloads. Honan, a vocal critic of the government’s approach, has threatened further strikes if demands are not met by July 30, with a potential walkout scheduled for August 4. Parents and school communities have expressed frustration with the prolonged negotiations, though many have voiced support for the teachers’ cause, recognizing the strain on educators.

While both TheAge and ABC agree on the core details of the strike and the union’s rejection of the government’s offer, there are differences in emphasis. TheAge highlights the internal union vote’s precise margin and the left faction’s specific demands, including a strike deadline, while ABC focuses more on the government’s financial breakdown of the pay rise and the union’s accusation that the government bypassed negotiations by communicating directly with employees. TheAge also notes that the union’s survey included responses from principals and support staff, whereas ABC does not specify this level of detail. These differences reflect varying priorities in framing the dispute—whether as a labor relations breakdown or a broader funding crisis in public education.

With the strike set to proceed, the next steps remain uncertain. The union has given the government until July 30 to present a more satisfactory offer, threatening further industrial action if no progress is made. Carroll has indicated that negotiations will continue, but the union’s left faction has made it clear that the current proposal is insufficient. The strike’s impact on students, particularly those in Year 11 and 12, who are being asked to stay home, underscores the disruption caused by the prolonged dispute. As the November election approaches, the government faces pressure to resolve the issue quickly, though the union’s demands for structural changes—such as reduced class sizes and workload relief—suggest the conflict may persist beyond the immediate strike.