Victorian Government tables revised schools agreement offer ahead of planned strike

The Victorian Government has released a revised offer for the Victorian Government Schools Agreement, with the Australian Education Union (AEU) expected to consider the proposal before deciding whether to proceed with a planned statewide strike on 23 July.

The revised proposal was announced on Friday, a day after AEU members endorsed a 24-hour statewide stopwork on Thursday 23 July, along with a ban on unpaid overtime, in support of their campaign for an improved agreement.

In a video message to members released on Friday morning, AEU Victorian Branch President Justin Mullaly confirmed the Government had submitted a further offer late on Thursday night but criticised its decision to communicate directly with employees before the union had considered the proposal.

“They’ve decided that they want to go around the union,” Mr Mullaly said.

“They want to go straight to employees with this offer, but I wanted you to know first because it’s union members who get to decide.”

Mr Mullaly said the core components of the Government’s 15 May offer remained unchanged, with several additional measures included in the revised proposal.

He said education support staff salary increases would now be delivered “along the same lines in terms of percentage outcome as teachers”, replacing the allowance previously proposed. He also said teachers at the top of the salary scale would receive a top-of-band payment and the required annual meeting time for teachers would be halved.

Mr Mullaly said the union’s Joint Primary and Secondary Council would meet later on Friday to consider the revised offer and determine the next steps.

The Victorian Government said the revised offer would increase teacher, principal and education support staff salaries by at least 28.3 per cent over four years, including a 12.75 per cent increase by October 2026.

According to the Government, more than 90,000 full-time teachers would earn more than $1,000 extra per month by October this year and almost $3,000 more per month by 2030. Education support staff would receive an additional $1,600 per month by 2030, with wage increases aligned to those of teachers.

The offer also includes reducing required meeting hours from 80 hours to 40 hours each year, greater flexibility for principals in managing meetings, and an annual lump-sum payment for teachers at the top of the salary scale.

Education Minister Ben Carroll said the Government had responded to feedback from teachers, principals and education support staff.

“We said we’d listen to our teachers, principals and education support staff and that’s what we’ve done,” Mr Carroll said.

“Teacher, principal and education support staff salaries will rise by at least 28.3 per cent over the next four years, starting with an increase of 12.75 per cent by October 2026.”

He urged the union to put the revised proposal to members and cancel the planned industrial action.

“We urge the AEU leadership to put this revised offer to their members and call off the planned strike on 23 July,” Mr Carroll said.

“Students should be in classrooms and parents shouldn’t be left scrambling for childcare or losing a day’s pay.”

At the time of publication, the AEU’s Joint Primary and Secondary Council was due to meet later on Friday to consider the revised offer and determine the union’s response, including whether the planned 23 July strike will proceed.