The Australian Education Union Victorian Branch says the Allan Labor government’s 2025-26 budget makes a mockery of the claim Victoria is the ‘education state,’ as it has failed to deliver the investment needed for public education across schools, TAFE and preschools.
The 2025-26 budget, which confirms the decision to delay the state's commitment to fully funded public schools to 2031, cuts funding to vocational education and fails to invest in early childhood teachers, shows Victoria can no longer be called the ‘education state’.
“The ‘education state’ might be the tagline on our car number plates but this budget puts Victorian students, their families, teachers, principals and education support staff at the bottom of the pile.
“Victoria’s public schools are the lowest funded and Victoria’s teachers are the lowest paid in Australia,” said President Justin Mullaly.
“When you don’t pay teachers properly it means you are undervaluing principals and education support staff as well.
“Kindergarten teachers and educators have been bargaining for a pay increase for over 12 months, with the budget failing to deliver the extra required to retain the existing workforce or attract the additional 11,000 early childhood educators needed over the next decade.
“Every year of the Andrews/Allan government has left Victoria's vocational education and training system the lowest funded in the nation, meaning our TAFEs cannot cover the actual cost of delivering courses Victorians need.
“This budget actually cuts funding for vocational education compared to previous years.
“The Premier and the Education Minister need to fix this mess if Victoria is to be the ‘education state’.
“This means full funding for public schools delivered this year. It means investment in TAFE to cover the cost of course delivery so students gain the skills and knowledge they need to get a decent job. And, it means delivering the pay and conditions to attract the teacher and educator workforce needed for fee-free kindergarten.
“The reality is that an education state would invest in public education. Until the Allan Labor government delivers the investment required, Victoria cannot claim to be the education state.”
Media contact: Chris Arnott – 0452 616 737
20 May 2025