Education and Teacher Pay
The AEU enterprise agreement ending a year-long dispute and strike threat — pay rises of 28.3-32.4% over four years plus a $2,000 sign-on bonus.
What it is
he AEU enterprise agreement ending a year-long dispute and strike threat — pay rises of 28.3-32.4% over four years plus a $2,000 sign-on bonus (1).
Evidence
Members voted 79% in favour; experienced teacher salary rises $118,063 -> $151,419 by 2029; early-career +$12,343 by Oct 2026; deal >$5.4bn, risking the surplus; planned 19 Aug strike cancelled (1). The resolution was a personal win for Carroll (education minister three weeks earlier). A rank-and-file revolt (Socialists in Schools etc.) shaped the outcome; 13 members are running as Victorian Socialists, including against Carroll in Niddrie (1). Education rated lower in the Conversation poll (schools below corruption/debt) as a top-three issue (2).
Where it bites
Statewide; politically relevant in outer-suburban and regional seats with large public-school workforces, and in Niddrie (Carroll's seat) given the Socialist challenge.
Who owns it
Labor claims credit ("best paid teachers in Australia") and has removed a strike risk pre-election; risk is fiscal (funding from surplus) and left-flank leakage to Victorian Socialists (1).
Did you enjoy this article?
Recommend it — Standard Reader surfaces well-loved writing to more readers across the network.