Victorian Catholic education member survey: Pay
Victorian Catholic education staff have sent a clear message: pay must be the number one priority in the next Agreement.
Members report wage stagnation, rising living costs, and comparative disadvantage across sectors and states as major concerns.
Unlike some other more complex issues members discussed in the survey, many statements on pay were straightforward: ‘Please prioritise pay! It is becoming a struggle to work in the job I love while trying to keep up with cost of living.’
‘Pay needs to increase. Never felt the need more than right now to actually get a second job over the weekend to make ends meet.’
Read more results from our recent member survey:
Competitive pay and parity with other states
There was a strong demand for pay to be aligned with other states, particularly NSW, which has higher pay for similar roles.
‘Living on the border with NSW, it is extremely disheartening to see teachers working only minutes from us receiving significantly higher pay than us. Teachers have left and continue to try to leave our school for higher pay only 5 mins away.’
‘We need pay that is on par with other states at a MINIMUM. We should not accept anything less.’
Ballarat Reps get behind the cause.
Attracting and retaining staff
Many members said they were concerned for the future of Victorian education if pay rates don’t improve, given the current difficulty attracting and retaining staff.
‘The gap is widening between Catholic and independent sectors, and there will come a time where this becomes a more significant factor in my decision to stay with Catholic education.’
‘If the pay and working conditions don't improve greatly for teachers, there will be a significant teacher shortage in the next 10-15 years, more so than there is currently.’
‘I strongly believe we need a significant pay increase to attract competent people to the profession and appropriately remunerate us for the work we undertake.’ ‘Fight hard for more pay. We are way behind in this area, and it is no wonder there is a lack of teachers getting around.’
Respect and recognition
Many members expressed that teachers should be paid salaries that reflect the high level of education, skill, and responsibility required for the profession.
‘The profile of those who work in education needs a much deserved elevation of status. Effective staff work above and beyond their pay scale; it seems that the more we give the more the employer takes.’
‘Pay is the major factor here at the end of the day. Pay teachers more, more people will see teaching as a potential career path and we can start working to raise standards.’ ‘Teaching is one of the most critical jobs that exists, yet we remain underpaid and overburdened.’
Competitive pay and parity with similar professions
Many educators say that their level of achievement is not matched by their income compared to other jobs.
‘We need at least a 15% pay increase to be competitive with other industries, especially considering the skills needed.’
‘Other public service jobs such as nursing and policing have pushed for and achieved significant pay increases to at least partly make up for the inflation that spiralled immediately after our last deal.’
Experienced teachers
There is a clear call for greater recognition of experienced teachers, with a focus on retaining them and preventing further loss to other industries.
‘Teachers with 20+ years of experience deserve to be paid similarly to other industries with similar qualifications.’
‘The teacher shortage is a thing. A retention bonus for long-serving staff would go a long way.’
‘I have been in the same school for more than 25 years. Once I got to the top of a pay scale there has been little incentive for me to stay.’
