Victorian teachers reject pay offer against union advice

Fri 19 Jun 2026 at 9:44am

Fri 19 Jun 2026 at 9:44am

In short:

Victorian state school teachers have voted to reject a 28 to 32 per cent pay rise, despite their union reaching an in-principle agreement with the state government.

The Australian Education Union last month said it had secured a four-year agreement that included more student-free days, but teachers had been seeking a three-year agreement.

What's next?

The union says it will likely have to return to the negotiating table with the government, but it is holding an urgent meeting today to discuss the next steps.

Victorian teachers have gone against their union's advice and voted down a pay rise of up to 32 per cent.

After a hard-fought campaign that included the first 24-hour Victorian teacher strike in 13 years, the Australian Education Union (AEU) last month announced it had reached an in-principal agreement with the state government that would see public school educators receive pay rises of between 28 and 32 per cent over four years and more student-free days.

Victorian branch president Justin Mullaly said he believed the offer would be accepted by his members and it would make some teachers the highest paid in the country.

Teachers had been fighting for a 35 per cent rise over three years for all members, arguing Victorian teachers were paid far less than those in other states.

The offer has since been put to union members for a vote and has been rejected.

"AEU members have had their say through the union's democratic processes, with a majority of members voting to reject the Allan Labor government's pay and conditions offer," Mr Mullaly said today.

Mr Mullaly said the 120-member Joint Primary and Secondary Council would hold an immediate meeting to discuss the union's next steps.

He said the union and government would need to renegotiate pay and conditions that were acceptable to the members, including in relation to excessive workloads and getting "every Victorian public school just like public schools are in every other state and territory".

"AEU members have sent a clear message to the premier and her government that the in-principle agreement and current levels of public school funding do not go far enough to address their concerns.

"This is the message I will strongly convey to the state government."