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.

“This will see Victoria offer the most rewarding and exciting career structure in the nation and rewards teachers for the work they do, while continually improving education for our young people.”

Mr Brumby said the new deal would also give families certainty around pupil free days with the ad hoc scheduling of the three pupil free days to be replaced with three state-wide planning and professional development days to occur before the start of the student school year.

“All schools will retain one marking and report writing day at the end of semester one – in order to give parents up to date information on their children’s progress,” he said.

Mr Brumby said the pay deal was consistent with the Government’s wages policy of 3.25 per cent with any additional pay rise above that being off-set by service improvement.

“Teachers will also receive a one off payment of $1000 and principals $2000 at the commencement of this agreement.”

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.