Third teachers' strike off as bitter pay dispute ends

Public school teachers in Victoria are set to receive Australia's highest wages, as a third statewide teachers' strike was canceled following a more generous pay offer. The Australian Education Union members approved a minimum pay increase of 28.3 percent over four years, with 79 percent of voting union members supporting the deal.

The agreement, which could cost taxpayers $5.4 billion, ends a long-standing dispute that had resulted in two previous strikes. The new contract brings Victoria's teachers into the top tier of pay nationally, after they were previously the lowest-paid educators in the country. Salaries for all teachers will rise by at least 13.04 percent, with increases ranging from 4.0 to 4.9 percent from 2026 to 2029.

Experienced teachers can expect their pay to reach approximately $151,000 by 2029, while new teachers will receive an extra $12,343 by October 2026. Premier Ben Carroll hailed the agreement as delivering the best pay and conditions for Victorian teachers, while the union's president emphasized the improved recognition of experienced educators' value.

Opposition Leader Jess Wilson criticized the government for taking too long to reach a deal, and the union's rank-and-file members remain opposed to the terms, stating that the deal is untenable.