‘No’ vote led by concern for ES staff pay at Gippsland Grammar School

Staff at independent school Gippsland Grammar Staff have rejected a proposed Agreement that they didn’t feel rewarded vital education support colleagues adequately.

The majority ‘no’ vote reflects a broader trend across schools, with teachers standing in solidarity with underpaid support staff. Educators are refusing to accept the usual excuse that there isn’t enough funding, particularly as the roles of support staff become increasingly critical in meeting the growing demands of students with special needs.

At Gippsland Grammar School, where negotiations on the proposed agreement began in June 2025, more than 75% of eligible staff voted—the highest turnout the school has ever recorded.

Although negotiations were conducted in good faith and the proposed agreement included some improvements, staff rejected it because the Education Support salary scale would leave them earning, on average, 8% less than their counterparts in the State and Catholic sectors.

Staff are being asked to share their reasons for rejecting the proposed agreement through a school-wide survey. The feedback will allow bargaining representatives to return to negotiations early in Term 2 and work on improving the agreement for all employees.

Gippsland Grammar School is a well-established co-educational Anglican school with around 1,500 students from early learning to Year 12 across multiple campuses, including Bairnsdale and Sale. Founded in 1912, it is one of the largest non-government schools in Gippsland, drawing students from across the region.

This ‘no’ vote is another sign that staff in independent schools across Victoria are increasingly willing to stand their ground and push for outcomes they consider fair and necessary for all employees.