Victorian public school teachers, principals and education support staff have voted to accept a new pay and conditions offer following more than 12 months of negotiations between the Australian Education Union (AEU) and Victorian Government.
The AEU said 79 per cent of its members working in Victorian public schools voted in favour of the offer.
The agreement provides pay increases of between 28.3 per cent and 32.4 per cent over four years, depending on classification, as well as a $2,000 lump sum payment at the start of the agreement.
It also includes changes to working conditions, including a reduction in meeting hours and four professional practice days each year.
Under the agreement, an experienced teacher’s salary will rise from $118,063 to $151,419 by 2029. The AEU said this includes a $15,393 increase in 2026.
The government said the increase would make Victorian teachers the highest paid in Australia.
An early career teacher will receive an increase of $13,293 by October 2026, according to the government’s figures, while the AEU said the increase would be $12,343. The government said the increase would bring early career teachers’ salaries into line with their NSW counterparts.
All teachers will receive a minimum 13.04 per cent increase in 2026, according to the AEU, with further increases of between 4 and 4.9 per cent in subsequent years through to 2029.
Education support staff, including classroom support, administrative staff and staff supporting students with disability, will receive a minimum 28.3 per cent increase over four years.
Principals and assistant principals will also receive a 28.3 per cent increase over the life of the agreement.
The agreement will reduce scheduled meeting time for school staff from 80 hours a year to 40 hours, according to the Victorian Government. The AEU said the changes would give staff more time for planning, preparation and supporting students.
AEU Victorian Branch President Justin Mullaly said the result followed a sustained campaign by public school staff.
“This outcome has been won through the direct efforts of AEU members, who demanded pay and conditions that reflect the value and importance of their work in Victorian public schools,” Mr Mullaly said.
The Victorian Government said the agreement would provide teachers and other school staff with improved pay and more time for planning, preparation and assessment.
The vote means a planned stop-work action on Wednesday 19 August will not proceed.
The agreement will now go to all Victorian public school employees for formal endorsement, as required under the Fair Work Act.