Bargaining is heating up across multiple sectors, with new offers on the table in Queensland and Victoria alike. Here's where things stand for TPAA members.
Bargaining for the next Diocesan agreement (replacing 2023–2026) is well underway. We've tabled our log of claims and been walked through the employer's proposals: pay rises of 4%, 3.5% and 3.5% over three years, a $100-per-night allowance for compulsory overnight camps, recognition of 50% of Permission to Teach service toward pay bands once QCT-registered, up to five days' paid reproductive leave (where other leave hasn't been exhausted), and extra cultural leave for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff (up to 13 days, against a cap of 10 for others).
Time-in-lieu, though, is still missing from the offer. The employer expects to hand over its full written offer by the end of July and put it to a vote by 31 October — and early signs are positive, with members backing the proposals so far.
Queensland Anglican schools bargaining has just begun. TPAA has been appointed to bargain and is locking in our claims for members to endorse ahead of a first meeting with the employer. TPAA is seeking pay rises of 5%, 4.5% and 4% over three years, reduced face-to-face and marking workload, fairer pay for camps and overnight duties, stronger paid parental leave, and new mental health and reproductive health leave.
Victorian members sent a clear message — knocking back the Department's 15 May offer and forcing it back to the table. On 17 July the Department returned with a revised offer: pay rises of roughly 28–32% over four years, backdated to 17 July. But pay was never the whole story, and members are now having their say on whether it goes far enough.
We've sent impacted members a critical survey to complete to help shape our response to the offer. It's important you vote on the different proposals, knowing this is not the final binding vote — which will be distributed in due course.
Catholic employers have laid a minimum 7% rise for 2026 on the table (from January), sweetened with a $1,500 sign-on bonus — and, crucially, a promise to match whatever government schools ultimately land on. With the VGSA thrown back open, that parity pledge means the Catholic number is still very much in play.