Victorian Public and Catholic School Teachers Continue Bargaining into Term 3 Amid Funding Cuts

Public and Catholic school teachers in Victoria, Australia, are continuing negotiations for improved working conditions and new agreements as Term 3 begins. The Australian Education Union (AEU) has formally notified the Department of Education that work bans and limitations will resume from July 13, 2026, following the rejection of an earlier agreement. The union highlights that Victorian public schools remain the lowest funded in the country, with a projected $2.4 billion cut through 2031, impacting student outcomes and teacher workloads. The Independent Education Union (IEU) is also seeking collective bargaining rights for Catholic school employees.