Hold the line for a stronger deal
For IEU members in Victorian Catholic education, the priority remains clear: winning a strong new Agreement that properly recognises their work and protects the conditions they have fought hard to secure.
The government schools outcome has raised the benchmark on pay and conditions, but Catholic employers have yet to commit to matching key parts of this in full. Members want a new deal and the associated pay increases as soon as possible, but will not accept an inferior package or trade away hard-won existing conditions to get there faster. The fight continues. The IEU is bargaining every week and members are building the collective pressure needed to win the Agreement they deserve.
The SIA campaign has been a major focus of the union’s work this year, but there has been a lot going on in all our sectors in 2026.
Negotiations have commenced in Tasmanian Catholic schools, and we are gearing up for a busy final term in independent schools across both states.
The Victorian government school deal
The pending Victorian Government Schools Agreement represents a breakthrough, delivering the most significant wage increases for staff in decades, further reducing teacher workload and locking in important improvements to conditions and workplace rights.
AEU members secured these gains through sustained collective action, demonstrating the difference strong bargaining rights can make.
The IEU is working hard to secure a new deal for members in Victorian Catholic education, but there is still work to do. Catholic employers have only ever committed to matching percentage increases to salaries in government schools. There is no commitment
yet to match the new allowances negotiated in government schools
or the improvements to conditions.
In fact, while the AEU deal guarantees teachers an additional hour a week for preparation and assessment, Victorian Catholic employers remain determined to reduce this time for staff in their schools.
The outcome in Victorian government schools demonstrates the importance of the bargaining rights the IEU is pursuing through our Single Interest Authorisation (SIA) campaign. Action, and the threat of further action focused the government’s attention and got the deal done.
Why bargaining rights matter
The successful petitions of support campaign proves that when staff understand we are fighting for basic industrial rights that can improve their working lives, they are overwhelmingly behind us.
Employers have also provided a timely demonstration of why these rights matter.
The release of MACS’ Operational Guidelines for 2027 school budgets, alongside similar discussions elsewhere in Victorian Catholic education, raised serious concerns about staffing, workloads and workplace change. Measures canvassed include recruitment restrictions, larger classes, increased scheduled teaching time, reviews of leadership and LSO structures, reduced part-time hours and changes to programs.
Hundreds of Education Support staff attended our information session following the release of the guidelines, many fearful for their jobs.
We told them that budget pressures do not make staffing or other operational cuts inevitable, and that employer financial decisions remain subject to the industrial protections IEU members have negotiated.
Members should not have to choose between fair wages and secure jobs, manageable workloads and properly resourced schools.
Our Agreements provide important protections around hours, class sizes, workloads and consultation. Each round of bargaining is an opportunity to strengthen and improve them.
The employer actions around budgeting are another reminder that Victorian Catholic education staff need the same rights as other employees to secure strong, enforceable Agreements with appropriate staffing, workloads, and conditions.
Independent growth
The Catholic sector remains the union’s largest and naturally receives significant attention when an Agreement is being negotiated. However, the independent sector is currently the fastest-growing IEU cohort.
Several prominent campaigns at schools where we have previously had a limited presence highlight a growing reality: many staff are frustrated and increasingly prepared to stand up for better treatment.
Dedicated educators who go the extra mile to provide the best possible education and extracurricular opportunities can no longer be taken for granted. If they help deliver a premium service that attracts families paying substantial fees, they deserve professional respect and fair recognition for their contribution.
In both Tasmania and Victoria, staff at diverse independent schools are embracing unionism. We will support new sub-branches to help them grow and flourish.
Strength in solidarity
As we leave winter behind and approach the end of the school year, many of you will be feeling the strain, professionally and personally. Some may be considering a change of school or role, while others are simply hanging on for a well-deserved break.
If you need a sounding board or are feeling the strain, reach out. Your colleagues, Rep, sub-branch and union – particularly our dedicated Member Services Unit – are here to help.
Unions are highly visible during major campaigns, but our role extends well beyond bargaining. We also provide advice, support and representation when members face workplace challenges, big or small.
If you need someone to talk to about your job, reach out to your Rep or your union.
When the next challenge comes, we will be stronger for having supported each other.
Our strength is not simply in our numbers, but in how we stand up for
and support each other.
