Strikes are over after 91% vote YES on support staff offer
Australian Education Union Tasmania Branch Media Release 10th April 2026
The Australian Education Union has announced that industrial action for support staff in Tasmania has been withdrawn after a resounding 91% vote on a proposed offer from the State Government.
“Hundreds of support staff participated in the ballot and supported collective action to achieve a result that secures improved conditions for your colleagues, students, and our public education system,” the AEU said.
As part of the deal, members will receive:
- Pay increases averaging 11% over the life of the PSUWA, with lump sum increases to base salaries
- 6-7 extra days of paid work, cutting down unpaid stand down
- New career pathways & specialisation for Tas
- Toileting Allowance – if you’re required to do it, you’ll get it!
- New Aquatic Allowance, Personal Impact Days, Reproductive Leave & Pregnancy Loss Leave
- Easier to access Recreation Leave, PLUS ability to access personal leave for medical appointments
- Carers leave doubled
- Less burden of evidence for Bereavement Leave
- Qualify for parental leave after 40 weeks
- 25 days Family & Domestic Violence Leave
- If you’re an AEU Rep for your support staff colleagues, you can now get paid time to attend training and events even if they fall outside your normal working hours!
The union has advised members that they are now preparing the new agreement for registration. All new union agreements need to be registered and approved by the Tasmanian Industrial Commission. DECYP have indicated they’ve pencilled in a hearing for May 1st, followed by finalising increases to pay and allowances (as well as back pay), from the start of June.
“In union, we’ve achieved some outstanding wins for educators. We’ve faced a hostile government determined to resurrect a wage freeze and job cuts. We stopped them in their tracks while focusing on our issues: unsafe workloads, school violence, and improved conditions and career pathways to attract new educators and reward experience.” AEU said in a memo to members.
“All of this has happened because you and your coworkers took action together. The past 12 months have seen our first 24-hour strikes in a generation, as well as unprecedented work bans.”
“While acceptance of this Agreement won’t solve the state’s education crisis, it will go some way towards alleviating the current pressures on members.”
