After more than 18 months of campaigning, including major industrial action, Australian Education Union (AEU) members won a new agreement resulting in pay rises between 28.3 per cent and 32.4 per cent over four years, with the first increases to be paid tomorrow, including back pay to August 10, 2026.

A ballot vote by the AEU Victorian branch in mid-August saw almost 80 per cent of members vote to accept the offer.

The AEU said the agreement also delivers important improvements to working conditions, including reduced meetings for teachers, four professional practice days each year, and improved leave and flexible work arrangements for all employees.

AEU Victorian Branch president Justin Mullaly said the pay rise was thanks to the powerful campaigning efforts of tens of thousands of union members.

“Increases like these are why it pays to be a union member, it’s about achieving together what none of us can do alone,” Mullaly said.

“The outcome seen today has been won through the direct efforts of AEU members, who demanded pay and conditions that reflect the value and importance of their work in Victorian public schools.

“And in the next pay cycle in two weeks’ time AEU members will receive an additional $2000 lump sum payment which is a key feature of the first year of the agreement.”

Under the agreement, an experienced teacher’s pay will increase from the current $118,063 to $151,419 by 2029, including a $15,393 or 13.04 per cent boost this year to take them ahead of NSW teachers.

Each year in May they will also receive a payment worth 1 per cent of their salary at the time to further acknowledge their experience and contribution to our schools.

A teacher in their first year will have a pay increase of $12,343 in 2026 or 16.7 per cent, bringing them in line with their counterparts in NSW.

This month, all public school teachers will receive a minimum 13.04 per cent increase, with further increases ranging between 4 per cent and 4.9 per cent in subsequent years through to 2029.

Education support employees in schools – which includes classroom support, business managers, administrative staff, and those supporting students with disability – will receive a minimum pay increase of 28.3 per cent over four years.

Principals and assistant principals will receive a 28.3 per cent pay boost over the same period.

In June, Mullaly encouraged the union membership to accept a previous in-principle deal handed down by the Government – which he called ‘a win’ for educators across the state at the time.

But fractures soon emerged after members voted down the deal, with some teachers reporting that a pent-up sense of animosity and resentment towards the union leadership fuelled their decision to vote no.

Following the improved offer and its acceptance last month, teachers took to Reddit to offer their take on the news, with the overall sentiment a positive one.

“Just received the union’s email. Finally! And with 79% voting yes, it shows there is wide acceptance of the deal, making it unlikely for the next step (all employees vote) to not go through.

“Congratulations to all for the upcoming payrises,” one posted.

“I’m glad it’s over, I think if it dragged on we would have got a worse deal from the liberals,” another noted.

“No voter here. But as a union member I will respect this decision. The fact that basically 8 out of 10 people voted yes makes it easier for me to accept this. Good work people,” chimed in another.