Victorian TAFE teachers will get the pay and recognition they deserve with the Andrews Labor Government reaching a new in-principle industrial agreement with the Victorian TAFE institutes and teachers.
The Multi-Enterprise Agreement is a crucial step in strengthening TAFE in Victoria, giving teachers the best support to deliver the skills and training students need to get their qualification and get a job.
Minister for Training and Skills Gayle Tierney said the historic agreement recognises the vital role of TAFE teachers in building a modern, high quality public training system.
When the previous Liberal Government had their way, Victorian TAFE teachers were the lowest paid in the country. The Liberals slashed funding and closed campuses across the state, decimating our TAFE system and devaluing our educators.
The new agreement repairs the damage done and recognises the importance of teachers in our TAFE system and their role in building Victoria’s skilled workforce.
The agreement is fair, affordable and reasonable, delivering an annualised base increase of 2.5 per cent in line with the Government’s fair pay guide, as well as an additional 2.9 per cent linked to service delivery improvements.
This lifts Victorian TAFE teachers to the same level as vocational education and training practitioners across Australia.
Victorian TAFEs will also be better placed to support the needs of students and industry, offering more classes at more times, making TAFE more accessible and giving TAFEs greater flexibility.
Victoria’s TAFE teachers play a critical role in building our state’s skilled workforce and this agreement gives them the recognition and the wage support they deserve.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Training and Skills Gayle Tierney
“This is a landmark agreement that will improve working conditions for our TAFE teachers and strengthen the competitiveness of our public providers.”
“After years of devastating cuts under the previous Liberal Government we’re rebuilding TAFE in Victoria – this agreement gives our teachers the recognition and the pay they deserve.”
“Thank you to everyone who took part in these negotiations – the agreement we’re putting forward will strengthen our TAFEs so they can deliver the training needed to build our workforce and get Victorians into jobs.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020