Tens of thousands of teachers strike after rejecting 28 per cent pay rise - as Melbourne turns red

Published: 02:52, 23 July 2026 | Updated: 02:58, 23 July 2026 Thousands of teachers have gone on strike in Victoria as they take to the streets and demand higher pay - after rejecting a 28 per cent increase over four years. More than 35,000 Victorian state school teachers, principals, and education support staff were expected to gather in Melbourne's CBD on Thursday to demand better pay and conditions. It comes after the Australian Education Union announced on Tuesday its state members had voted down the Allan government's latest offering. The revised pitch of a 28.3 per cent pay rise over four years was narrowly defeated, opposed by 51.18 per cent of members. Ahead of Thursday's rally, the union's Victorian branch president Justin Mullaly acknowledged the vote was tight but said educators would nonetheless be out in force. 'Teachers, education support staff and school leaders are deeply disappointed with the state government,' he told ABC radio. 'I've got no doubt there will be tens of thousands of teachers, education support staff and school leaders taking their message to Spring Street this morning.' Mr Mullaly acknowledged the latest pay offer was 'significant', but said it was not enough to meet the needs of overworked, underpaid educators. Thousands of teachers have gone on strike in Victoria as they take to the streets and demand higher pay - after rejecting a 28 per cent increase over four years 'Only three-in-ten teachers are saying they'll stick around until retirement,' he said. 'That's no good for our public education, that's no good for our children and young people that we teach.' He suggested parents were supportive of the union's efforts despite the short-term burden on classrooms. Mother of two Niki Galvin is one such parent. 'Most parents instinctively understand how important it is that we attract and retain quality teachers,' she said. 'It's only right that we support the union's efforts to redress that inadequacy and historical unfairness.' Ms Galvin confirmed she would take advantage of her flexible work arrangements, opting to keep her primary-aged child at home. Federal Education Minister Jason Clare said teachers should be paid what they deserve and backed the Victorian government to deliver. More than 35,000 Victorian state school teachers, principals, and education support staff were expected to gather in Melbourne's CBD on Thursday to demand better pay and conditions 'I'm pretty optimistic,' he told ABC News Breakfast on Thursday. 'The government is determined to get a good outcome here for our teachers, and I'm pretty confident that this will be worked out.' While all public schools were set to remain open on Thursday, many classes will be disrupted. Union educators have been locked in a pay dispute with the government for nearly a year, with graduate teachers - the worst paid in the country - earning $13,000 less than those in the Northern Territory, the best paid. Former deputy principal Melinda Davis said the teacher strike was not simply a dispute over pay, it was about addressing conditions and class sizes. 'Our teachers are not only striking over conditions, they are striking over the quality of Victorian public school education itself,' the Swinburne education expert said. 'The profession is at breaking point because the system is no longer fit for purpose. 'That is the message Victoria's teachers are taking up to the premier.' Ahead of Thursday's rally, the union's Victorian branch president Justin Mullaly acknowledged the vote was tight but said educators would nonetheless be out in force How much should we pay teachers to truly value their work and secure our children’s education future? What's your view?The state government has urged the union to stop the strike. Deputy Premier and Education Minister Ben Carroll has insisted the latest pay offer would make Victorian educators and support staff the best paid in the country. Working conditions would also be nation-leading, he claimed. Shadow attorney-general James Newbury told reporters on Wednesday it was no surprise the government had dropped the ball on negotiations with union members. 'Our teachers have been set aside by this government for too long,' he said.