Victoria experienced major statewide disruptions on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, as thousands of state school teachers and education support staff walked off the job in their second significant strike of the year. The strike effectively closed state schools across the region, with participants rallying in Melbourne's CBD.

The industrial action followed a weekend vote by members of the Australian Education Union (AEU), where just over half opposed the Victorian government's latest pay offer. The proposal included a 28 per cent pay increase over four years for teachers and support staff, along with halving the number of compulsory meetings educators must attend.

Despite the offer, the union is pressing for a three-year agreement and greater measures to reduce educators' workloads. AEU Victoria President Justin Mullaly emphasized that workload and staff shortages remain the union's primary concerns rather than the pay offer itself. He noted that teachers work in some of the lowest-funded schools in the country, carrying a significant workload burden, including an average of 12 unpaid hours per week.

"But when you've got a situation where people are working in schools where shortages of teachers continue, you've got to do more to attract and, in particular, retain the workforce," Mullaly said.

A Victorian government spokesperson stated that discussions with the union are ongoing and acknowledged the impact of the strike, saying, "Families are already juggling a lot, and today's disruption is disappointing."

This strike follows a 24-hour action in March 2026, when roughly 35,000 educators and supporters marched through Melbourne's CBD to advocate for better conditions.

Sources