Victoria's school teachers are set to become the highest paid in Australia after Australian Education Union (AEU) members voted 79% in favour of a new pay and conditions offer. The agreement, reached after a year of bargaining, will deliver total pay rises of between 28.3% and 32.4% over four years, alongside a $2,000 bonus at the start of the agreement.
The deal also includes improved conditions, such as fewer after-school meetings, four professional practice days annually, and eight student-free days each year from 2027. Existing face-to-face teaching hour maximums are also secured. The union has confirmed that a planned strike for Wednesday will not proceed.
Under the new terms, early-career teachers will see a $12,343 increase by October 2026. An experienced teacher's salary is projected to rise from $118,063 to $151,419 by 2029, including a $15,393 increase in 2026.
The agreement still requires a ballot of all covered employees, but the government has already hailed the result as a success. Premier Ben Carroll stated the pay rise acknowledges the important work of teachers, principals, and education support staff.