Gathered behind a giant Victorian number plate displaying ‘NOT THE EDUCATION STATE’, educators said they remain incensed at the Allan Labor Government’s decision to delay any additional public school funding until 2031, leaving Victorian public schools at least $2.4 billion worse off, according to the AEU Victoria Branch.
The small but vocal group said Premier Jacinta Allan and Education Minister Ben Carroll cannot call Victoria the ‘education state’ when they have denied public schools that ‘critical’ funding.
The cut means that Victorian teachers will remain the lowest paid in Australia, with education support staff and school leaders undervalued, the AEU said.
“Every Victorian public school teacher, principal, education support employee, and student is feeling the effects of the $2.4 billion cut in public school funding,” AEU Victorian Branch President Justin Mullaly said before the rally.
“Victoria cannot be called the ‘education state’ when public school staff work on average 12 hours of unpaid overtime every week, a chronic workforce shortage is not adequately addressed, and support for students, teachers, principals and education support staff is at an all-time low compared to the resources available in other states and territories.
“The Government’s ‘education state’ slogan is complete nonsense when they don’t fund our schools fairly and properly.”
Dissatisfaction among public school teachers across the state is very real, the union said, with only 3 in 10 teachers planning to stay in the public school system until retirement.
“The valuable work of every public school teacher, principal, and education support staff member should be reflected in fair pay and conditions,” Mullaly said.
In 2026, a graduate Victorian teacher will be paid $79,589, while in NSW the same teacher will be paid $92,882.
“It seems that the Premier thinks it is okay to value the work of Victorian teachers so much less that that their NSW counterparts,” Mullaly said
“In a few years, that difference could be a home loan deposit. In the long run this is a massive disadvantage to Victoria’s hardworking public school workforce, and adds to the shortage of teachers in Victoria.”
In 2026, an experienced Victorian teacher will be paid $118,063 compared to $133,422 for an experienced teacher in NSW – over $15,000 less.
“Victorian public school teachers are equally as deserving of decent pay that reflect the value and importance of their work as any other teacher in the country.
“Teachers, principals and education support staff all over the state deserve to work in a genuine ‘education state’,” Mullally said.
“Premier Allan must reverse her decision to cut funding...”
