Last mentioned: Mar 24, 2026
Strike Action Commences
Scheduled date for the first statewide 24-hour strike affecting public schools across the region.
Offer Labeled a 'Joke'
Union formally rejects a revised 3% offer, signaling the start of a protracted industrial war.
Day of Action
Teachers walk out; schools remain open under minimal supervision protocols.
Strike Notice
Formal notice of the March 17 strike is served to the Department of Education.
Strike Ballot
Union members vote overwhelmingly in favor of protected industrial action.
First Government Offer
State governments present a formal counter-offer of 2.5%, which is immediately dismissed.
Initial Offer Rejected
The AEU formally rejects the government's 3% annual wage increase proposal.
Initial Claims Served
AEU serves a formal log of claims demanding 5% annual pay rises and workload reductions.
Australian teachers have rejected a government pay offer as a "complete joke," signaling the start of a protracted industrial campaign. The dispute centers on a significant gap between union demands for a 5% annual increase and a government cap that fails to meet inflation.
Teachers across regional Victoria have initiated industrial action following a breakdown in negotiations over a new enterprise bargaining agreement. Despite the walkouts, the Department of Education has mandated that schools remain open, utilizing non-striking staff to provide minimal supervision for students.