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Mass teacher strike in Victoria over pay and conditions

2 hours ago2 articles from 2 sources

Consensus Summary

Thousands of Victorian public school teachers, principals, and education support staff are staging a 24-hour strike on Tuesday, the first such action in over a decade. Over 30000 workers are participating, disrupting around 500 schools across the state, with many operating on skeleton staff or providing limited supervision. The Australian Education Union (AEU) is demanding a 35 percent pay increase over four years, smaller class sizes, and better mental health support, while the Victorian government has offered an 18.5 percent rise (8 percent immediate, then 3 percent annually) plus a 1.5 percent overtime allowance. The strike was approved by the Fair Work Commission after 98 percent of AEU members voted in favor, citing low pay and excessive workloads. Both sources confirm the strike’s scale and the government’s response, but differ on details like school closures, principal involvement, and claims about relative pay levels. The strike follows years of negotiations and highlights growing frustration among educators over working conditions and compensation.

✓ Verified by 2+ sources

Key details reported by multiple sources:

  • Over 30,000 Victorian public school teachers are participating in a 24-hour strike on Tuesday
  • The strike is the first in Victoria’s public school system since 2013 (or more than 13 years)
  • Approximately 500 schools are either closed or significantly affected by the strike
  • The Australian Education Union (AEU) Victorian branch president is Justin Mullaly
  • The AEU sought a 35% pay increase over four years, smaller class sizes, and improved mental health support
  • The Victorian government offered an 18.5% pay rise (8% immediate, then 3% annually for three years) plus a 1.5% overtime allowance
  • The Fair Work Commission approved the strike after 98% of AEU members voted in favor
  • The strike involves teachers, principals, and education support staff
  • The Victorian premier is Jacinta Allan

Points of Difference

Details reported by only one source:

NEWSCOMAUSTRALIA
  • The headline describes the strike as 'unprecedented' in tone, emphasizing its rarity
  • The article notes some schools are encouraging parents to keep children home but the state government website does not list any school closures
  • The AEU Victorian branch president Justin Mullaly stated: 'They (the government) need to step up. The Premier needs to step in and actually put an offer on the table that will resolve the dispute'
  • The article highlights that education support staff have multiple jobs and struggle to make ends meet
THEGUARDIAN
  • The article explicitly states 'classes have been halted' across Victoria, with schools either closed or 'significantly affected'
  • The education department spokesperson acknowledged that many schools will only provide 'supervision for a limited number of students'
  • The article includes a quote from Sally McManus (ACTU secretary): 'There’s a real depth of anger amongst Victorian teachers. They’re now the lowest-paid teachers in the country'
  • The article mentions that principals are participating in the rally and some are offering supervision only for emergency workers' children
  • The article notes that Catholic and independent schools are operating normally, with the Independent Education Union (IEU) supporting the public sector strike
  • The IEU general secretary David Brear stated: 'Salaries in Victorian education have fallen significantly below those in other states'
  • The article specifies the government’s offer includes an 8% pay rise for teachers and 4% for education staff in April, followed by 3% annual rises

Contradictions

Conflicting information between sources:

  • NEWSCOMAU states the state government website does not advise of any school closures, but THEGUARDIAN reports that classes have been halted and schools are either closed or significantly affected
  • NEWSCOMAU does not mention that principals are participating in the strike or offering limited supervision, while THEGUARDIAN explicitly states this
  • NEWSCOMAU does not reference the claim that Victorian teachers are the 'lowest-paid teachers in the country,' which THEGUARDIAN attributes to Sally McManus
  • THEGUARDIAN specifies that some principals are offering supervision only for emergency workers' children, a detail not mentioned in NEWSCOMAU
  • THEGUARDIAN includes the IEU’s statement about salaries falling below other states, while NEWSCOMAU does not reference this comparison

Source Articles

NEWSCOMAU

‘Unprecedented’: 30k teachers walk out

Tens of thousands of teachers in one state who are struggling to “make ends meet” are trading the classroom for the picket line....

24 March 2026
GUARDIAN

Teachers in Victoria strike for first time in 13 years, with classes cancelled at about 500 public schools

Australian Education Union members to rally outside state parliament in dispute over pay and conditions Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app o...

24 March 2026