Victorian licence plates may carry the slogan “the education state” but on Tuesday, thousands of public school teachers, principals and education support staff will go on strike for the first time in 13 years.
The Fair Work Commission approved the action two weeks ago, after 98% of Australian Education Union (AEU) members voted to strike over what they say is low pay and excessive workloads.
For many parents, it will mean taking the day off work to look after children, with the education department conceding many schools will only supervise a “limited number of students”.
Here’s what we know.
Why are teachers in Victoria striking?
The AEU’s Victorian branch president, Justin Mullaly, says the strike reflects the government’s failure to deliver fair pay, better conditions and full funding for public schools.
He says the union went into EBA negotiations eight months ago, seeking a 35% pay rise over four years, smaller class sizes and improved mental health and classroom support.
Sign up for the Breaking News Australia emailThe government responded with a 18.5% pay offer – only after the union moved to strike. This offer included an 8% pay rise for teachers and 4% for education staff to come into effect in April, followed by a 3% rise for each of the following three years, as well as a 1.5% overtime allowance. The government also committed to an extra student-free day and a trial of flexible work arrangements.
But Mullaly says the offer would leave teachers falling behind their interstate peers. He says, by October 2026, Victorian teachers will be earning as much as $15,359 a year less than their NSW counterparts.
“These are things that the government must address in a revised offer.”
The union is also critical of the government’s decision to delay $2.4bn in funding for state schools by three years to 2031, with the matter being examined by a state parliamentary inquiry.
How has the government responded?
The premier, Jacinta Allan, is urging the union to call off the strike, describing the 18% offer as “fair and genuine”.
“We want to give teachers a pay rise. We’ve got a strong offer on the table,” she told reporters on Monday.
“The only way to get agreement on that offer is to stay at the negotiating table, and that’s why the leadership of the AEU should really be rethinking this action tomorrow.”
Mullaly says: “Our business is not in stopping work. Teachers want to go to work tomorrow. But when you’re not being valued and the government isn’t listening … then that’s what we’re forced to do.”
How many schools will be affected?
The AEU says 30,000 staff are expected to strike, with up to 500 schools either closed or “significantly affected” as a result.
“The advice to parents is that it’s best not to send your child to school,” Mullaly says.
The department disputed there would be school closures, but conceded some won’t be able to support all children.
“While all schools are expected to be open tomorrow, many schools will only be able to provide supervision for a limited number of students,” a department spokesperson says.
“Schools will communicate any changes to school programs directly to parents and carers.”
Among those striking will be 60 teachers who work at Parkville College, the school inside Victoria’s youth justice system. The group – who represent more than half the eduction workforce in the system – is critical of the government’s “adult time for violent crime” laws, and questioned why it can fund additional youth justice beds but not “the public schools that keep children out of prison in the first place”.
What will classrooms look like on Tuesday?
Last week, the education minister, Ben Carroll, said students of similar ages might be grouped together. They could take part in alternative activities rather than regular classes, and be supervised by a substitute or casual relief teacher.
“We are planning ahead but we don’t want this disruption to go ahead. We want to prioritise dialogue and do a deal,” Carroll said.
As for striking teachers, they’ll hold a rally at Trades Hall before marching to Victorian parliament.
Will any other states follow?
Tasmanian teachers will also go on strike after rejecting their state government’s latest pay offer of 3% in year one, 3% in year two and 2.75% in year three.
Public schools will be closed in the state’s north-west on Tuesday, the north on Wednesday and the south on Thursday.
