Executive Director’s Update to Principals #51 - 6 October 2025

Enterprise agreement update – New wage and conditions offer for 2026

Following this morning’s briefing by the Victorian Catholic Education Authority (VCEA), I’m excited to provide you with the details around the enterprise bargaining process, currently underway for all DOBCEL staff. Our goal is to reach a new cooperative agreement for the start of the 2026 school year – one that truly reflects what matters most to our community.

What’s at the heart of this process?

• Ensuring all staff feel valued, respected, and supported in their school communities.
• Delivering meaningful improvements to wages and conditions to help our Catholic education system thrive.

What’s on offer?

• Minimum 7% pay increase for all employees in year 1
• Additional pay rises to match government school wage increases
• $1,500 sign-on bonus before Christmas if the agreement is approved (pro rata for part-timers)
• 5 full days of time in lieu for full-time teachers
• Targeted benefits for non-teaching staff, primary principals, and deputy principals
• Many more improvements to leave entitlements and work conditions, details of which are available at eb.catholic.edu.au

Why are we doing things differently? Traditional bargaining can be slow and adversarial. We’re choosing a collaborative approach – one that values your voice and focuses on what’s best for all staff. Whether you’re a union member or not, you have the right to review the offer and help shape the final agreement.

What does this mean for you?

• Guaranteed pay parity with government school employees for the life of the agreement
• Improved conditions and more certainty for the start of 2026
• Budget clarity for principals and CEB, and time to prepare for any changes

Next steps:

• Please review the offer and consider what it means for you.
• Some printed materials have been mailed to your school. Please keep an eye out for these and display them prominently in staff areas.
• You will receive two separate meeting invitations shortly for drop-in sessions where you will have the opportunity to ask questions. Principals are welcome to attend one or both of these sessions at the following times:
• 6 October at 4pm
• 7 October at 10am
• Further information regarding timing for the survey will be announced soon.
• For more details and answers to common questions, see the detailed information pack linked below. There are also further information sheets available at eb.catholic.edu.au.

Your voice matters. This is your opportunity to help shape the future of Catholic Education in Victoria. We hope you’ll say yes to proceed to a vote.

Thank you for your commitment and engagement.