Victorian teachers will become the highest paid in Australia and secondary students will get an extra six days of tuition each year under a pay deal reached this morning by the Brumby Government and the teachers union.

Premier John Brumby said the agreement was a win for students and their families, the teachers and the education system and demonstrated why education remains this Government’s number one priority.

“A graduate teacher in Victoria currently earns $46,127 and under this agreement will become the highest paid graduate teacher in the country earning $51,184 while an experienced classroom teacher will receive a $10,000 pay rise to $75,500,” Mr Brumby said.

Australian Education Union Victorian Branch President, Mary Bluett said the in principle agreement was a significant win for teachers, principals and school communities across the state.

"Today's outcome includes significant salary increases for Victorian teachers and improvements to the contract system of employment, to maximise the number of ongoing employees and provide greater financial security for teachers employed on contracts," Ms Bluett said.

Education Minister Bronwyn Pike said the agreement means Victoria can continue to build its excellent education system and continue to attract the best and brightest into the teaching profession.

“The offer will also see all teachers receive pay increases which clearly demonstrates the Brumby Government’s commitment to ensuring nationally competitive salaries which reward our teachers for the high quality education they provide our students.

Ms Pike said the offer includes:

• All teachers’ pay packets to be increased;
• Removing the lowest two bands on the teachers’ salary scale so teacher graduates will be the highest paid in the country;
• Executive Contracts for high performing Principals;
• Maintaining Australia’s best conditions for teachers;
• The equivalent of six more days tuition for secondary school students;
• Exit Strategy for disengaged teachers; and
• Three pupil free days before the school year begins for students and one report and marking day for teachers in semester one.

Ms Pike said teachers have agreed to work with the Government in implementing the new Blueprint 2 school reform process which involves encouraging the best teachers to move to schools where they are most needed, a scheme to encourage high performing graduates from other fields to enter teaching and stronger intervention and monitoring of under-performing schools.

“As outlined in Blueprint 2 executive contracts will now be offered for some principals which will not only reward our highest performing principals, but also create flexibility which allows for their skills to be most effectively used.”

Ms Pike said that in addition to a wages boost teachers will continue to enjoy outstanding conditions.

Maximum – Classroom teacher

Graduate Entry

[Source: Premier.vic.gov.au & AEU Victoria ]