Victorian public school teachers are the lowest paid in the country, with experienced teachers earning up to $15,359 per year less than their New South Wales counterparts. Education support staff starting in the classroom are paid 10.5% less than their interstate colleagues and new principals start 18% behind. At the same time, school staff are working an average of 12 hours of unpaid overtime each week during term. These conditions are driving experienced staff out of the profession and making it increasingly difficult to attract new teachers – with close to 900 vacancies advertised across public schools at any given time. This directly impacts the education and support our young people receive.

In January 2025 the Victorian Government promised to fully fund Victorian public schools to 100% of the national Schooling Resource Standard. That promise has not been honoured. After more than eight months of negotiations, the Government has failed to put a fair and decent offer on the table for school staff. This is disrespectful to the teachers, education support staff, assistant principals and principals who dedicate themselves to public education every day..

As parents, caregivers and supporters, we stand with our teachers and the young people they support every day. We call on the Victorian Government to deliver fair pay and properly fund our schools.

Every child in Victoria deserves access to a fully funded public school with a qualified, permanent teacher in their classroom and well-supported education support staff and school leaders. We urge the Victorian Government to act now to make that a reality.