Victoria teachers stage statewide strike over pay dispute

Victorian public school staff, represented by the Australian Education Union (AEU), voted overwhelmingly to reject the state government's pay offer of 28.3% over four years. About 51.2% of the 50,000 voting members turned down the proposal, prompting a 24‑hour walkout scheduled for Thursday. The strike will involve up to 35,000 teachers, principals and education support staff, with a rally planned at Melbourne's Bourke Street Mall before a march to Parliament House.

Union president Justin Mullaly warned that the action is intended to force the Labor government to fully fund public schools and address broader conditions, including reduced class sizes, better recognition for support staff, more planning time and a cap on meetings. Education Minister Ben Carroll has offered a revised package featuring the same 28.3% pay rise for support staff and halved meeting requirements, but disputes over the deal’s duration and other terms remain unresolved. The strike comes months before a state election, heightening political pressure on the government.