Teachers’ industrial action – our view
Parents Victoria has released a Position Statement regarding the upcoming industrial action by the Australian Education Union scheduled for 24 March. In its statement, Parents Victoria acknowledges the disruption that industrial action may cause for families, while also recognising the important issues being raised, including teacher workforce sustainability and the need for appropriate resourcing of public schools.
We encourage families to read the full statement to better understand the perspectives being shared and the broader context surrounding this action. Families are also encouraged to stay in close communication with their local school to ensure they are well prepared for any arrangements required on the day.
The full text of the Position Statement is below, or you can download a printable version.
Industrial action by teachers
Parents Victoria acknowledges the planned industrial action by Victorian teachers on 24 March 2026 and recognises that this step has not been taken lightly. It has been more than a decade since statewide strike action of this kind, and we understand that many teachers feel this is a last resort after sustained concerns about pay, workload and conditions.
We support the principle behind the action. The growing disparity between Victorian teacher salaries and those in other states is a legitimate concern, particularly in the context of increasing workforce shortages. The Victorian public system is already losing experienced and high-quality teachers, and ultimately it is students who are impacted when schools cannot attract and retain the staff they need.
At the same time, we acknowledge that parents and carers will have mixed views. Many families are supportive of teachers and the challenges they face, but they are also dealing with the immediate and practical impacts of disruption. A day of missed school can be difficult to manage, especially with limited notice, and arranging alternative care in less than 24 hours is not reasonable for many working families. In smaller schools, closures may occur due to limited staffing, adding further pressure on communities.
Parents also recognise that pay is only one part of the issue. Teaching has never been a profession people enter for financial gain alone. Concerns about workload, administrative burden, and the day-to-day realities of the classroom are significant and widely understood by families. It is not uncommon for parents to express appreciation and surprise at the breadth of responsibilities teachers carry.
Parents Victoria believes it is critical that two separate issues are not conflated. Fully funding public schools and ensuring fair pay and conditions for teachers are both essential. One should not come at the expense of the other. As strong advocates for public education, we do not support any trade-offs that would reduce programs, student supports, or classroom resources in order to fund wage increases. Both investment in schools and investment in the education workforce must occur together.
We also recognise the broader fiscal environment and understand that governments face competing pressures. However, any long-term solution must ensure that Victoria remains competitive in attracting and retaining teachers, while also protecting the quality of education delivered to students.
Ultimately, parents want a strong, stable public education system where students do not miss out—whether through disruption, reduced programs, or ongoing staff shortages. We urge all parties to return to the table with urgency, negotiate in good faith, and reach a fair, sustainable agreement—because students, families and teachers cannot afford for this to drag on.
It’s time to get the deal done.