Thousands of public school teachers, principals, and education support staff across Victoria are set to walk off the job for a 24-hour strike on Thursday, July 23. The industrial action follows a ballot in which 51.18 percent of Australian Education Union (AEU) members voted to reject the state government’s latest proposed enterprise agreement. The strike is expected to cause significant disruption to schools throughout the state, with many likely to close or operate with limited supervision as staff participate in the protest.
The dispute centers on long-standing concerns regarding pay, excessive workloads, and funding for public schools. While the government’s latest offer included a pay increase of 28.3 percent over four years, many educators argue this does not sufficiently address the rising cost of living or the systemic issues contributing to teacher burnout. The union has highlighted that Victorian teachers report working an average of 12 hours of unpaid overtime each week, and they are seeking more robust measures to improve classroom conditions and support staff retention.
This marks the latest escalation in a series of industrial actions that have occurred throughout the year, including a major statewide strike in March. The Allan Labor government has urged the union to call off the stoppage, maintaining that their current offer would make Victorian educators the highest-paid in Australia. Education officials have expressed concern over the impact on students and families, who may face sudden childcare challenges as a result of the school closures.
As the strike proceeds, the focus remains on whether the government will return to the bargaining table with a revised proposal. The union has indicated that its members are prepared to continue their campaign if their demands for better conditions and increased school funding are not met. For now, parents are advised to monitor communications from their local schools to understand how the 24-hour stoppage will affect their specific educational facilities.