Victorian public school teachers, principals, and education support staff will walk off the job for 24 hours this Thursday, July 23, in a statewide strike that will affect hundreds of government schools across Victoria.
This is the second major statewide strike this year, following the March action that saw over 35,000 teachers and support staff march through Melbourne. Here’s a breakdown of what’s happening, why, and what comes next.
The Strike: What’s Happening
- Date: Thursday, July 23, 2026
- Duration: 24-hour statewide strike
- Who’s striking: Public school teachers, principals, and education support staff represented by the Australian Education Union (AEU) Victorian branch
- Additional action: A renewed ban on unpaid overtime
The AEU Victoria branch president Justin Mullaly confirmed the industrial action after negotiations with the Allan Labor government reached an impasse. The decision was made at a meeting of over 100 union representatives on Tuesday evening.
Why Are They Striking?
The dispute centres on three key issues:
1. Pay
Teachers argue their salaries have fallen behind counterparts in every other Australian state and territory. The union had been negotiating for a new enterprise bargaining agreement.
The latest government offer (made July 16): A 28.3% pay rise over four years, including a 12.75% increase for all staff by October 2026. This offer would bring support-staff pay increases into lockstep with teachers.
Despite this revised offer, the union has indicated there is “no mood to settle” — suggesting the offer has not been enough to call off the strike.
2. Workload
Excessive workloads are a core grievance. Teachers report growing administrative burdens, chronic staff shortages, and unsustainable working conditions. The union has described the system as running “on the smell of an oily rag.”
3. Conditions
Beyond pay, the dispute involves broader conditions — including respect for teachers as seasoned professionals and adequate staffing levels to make the job manageable.
Background: How We Got Here
- March 2026: First statewide strike in 13 years. Over 35,000 teachers and support staff flooded Melbourne’s streets.
- May 15, 2026: An in-principle agreement was reached between the AEU and the government. Union leadership described it as providing “really significant improvements in pay and conditions.”
- After May: That agreement was rejected by members, sending negotiations back to the table.
- July 14, 2026: AEU confirms fresh strike for July 23, citing deadlocked negotiations.
- July 16, 2026: Government offers revised 28.3% pay deal in a last-ditch effort to avert the strike.
What This Means for Schools and Families
- Hundreds of government schools across Victoria will be affected.
- Many schools will be closed or operating with minimal supervision.
- Parents should check with their child’s school for specific arrangements.
- The strike is scheduled for a school day (Thursday), so families may need to arrange alternative care.
What Happens Next
The strike is set to proceed unless a last-minute agreement is reached. The government’s revised offer is on the table, but the union has not signalled a willingness to cancel the action.
If the strike goes ahead, it will be a significant test of the government’s willingness to improve its offer — and of the union’s ability to sustain pressure after a rejected in-principle deal earlier this year.
For HR and industrial relations observers outside education, this dispute is a live case study in what happens when workload pressure, pay dissatisfaction, and a rejected agreement collide — and how quickly a “resolved” bargaining round can unravel.