Education Support workers in schools have rejected the Victorian Government’s insufficient pay offer and the directive to take on teacher duties during Tuesday’s strike.

This is on top of reports of other Department of Education staff with a current Working with Children’s Check being directed to supervise children, including policy officers.

Despite being under the same agreement, Education Support staff are not in a position to join teachers to take protected action on 24 March.

Asking them to take on this additional work is inappropriate and unfairly shifts the impact of industrial action onto our members, who are already stretched thin, undervalued, and cannot participate.

Education Support workers provide crucial help to teachers and students in state schools, and are covered by the same enterprise agreement as teachers, and principals. They were offered a dismal 4% pay rise per year, which undervalues their roles and fails to keep up with cost of living.

This offer is well below what was offered and rejected by Victorian teachers (8% per year) and what our members asked for (10% per annum). The government’s current offer would create a two-tiered system and see real wages decline.

Education Support staff are the backbone of our schools - keeping classrooms running, supporting students with complex needs, and ensuring safe, inclusive learning environments.

They deserve fair pay that reflects their contribution, and working conditions that recognise their professionalism - not proposals that entrench low wages and make improving their working conditions even harder.

The CPSU will keep fighting for pay and conditions that properly value the critical role Education Staff play in the Victorian education system.

“The government doesn’t pay Education Support workers the same as teachers but expects them do take on their responsibilities during the industrial action - make it make sense!”

“Our hardworking ES members should not be asked to do the work of teachers during the strike. That is unacceptable.”

“Education Support staff are worth their weight in gold – their pay should reflect this.”

“From the moment children arrive at school to the final bell ringing, ES workers are right there with them, supporting their learning, wellbeing and safety. They deserve fair pay and working conditions, not a backwards step.”