Executive Director’s Update to Principals #55 - 16 October 2025

Enterprise Bargaining Offer: Survey Open Tomorrow, 17 October

Tomorow on Friday, 17 October, all Catholic school employees across Victoria will receive a short, yes or no survey seeking feedback on the enterprise bargaining offer developed by Catholic school employers through the Victorian Catholic Education Authority (VCEA). The survey link will be sent by the VCEA via email directly to employees.

This is a critical step in the process, and your response matters. The survey will be open for one week, closing Friday 24 October.

If the majority of employees indicate their support for the offer, the process can move swiftly to a formal vote and, if endorsed, deliver higher wages and improved conditions from the start of the 2026 school year.

If support is not achieved at this stage, the offer will be withdrawn, and bargaining will revert to the traditional process. Due to the timing of the state election next year, it is unlikely that any new agreement will be reached in the state sector until late 2026 at the earliest. That means our people could be waiting a year or longer before any wage increases or enhancements to conditions could take effect.

You are encouraged to watch and share with your staff the following video message from James Merlino, Chair of the VCEA. 

Principals are strongly encouraged to have conversations with their staff this week – discussing what the offer means in practical terms, and ensuring everyone understands the significance of this stage in the process. Further detail can be found on eb.catholic.edu.au. 

Real improvements, without delay

The offer on the table represents the strongest in many years – designed to deliver real benefits for our people and their families now, not in a year’s time.

Key elements include:

• A $1,500 bonus (pro-rata for part-time staff)
• A minimum 7% pay increase from January 2026 – the largest single-year rise in 25 years
• Pay parity with government school employees for the life of the agreement
• Enhanced leave provisions and improvements for Education Support staff, deputy principals and primary principals

This offer recognises the vital contribution of every Catholic school employee and responds directly to what staff have told us matters most: more money in your pocket and better conditions, sooner.

What will the offer mean for schools?

By supporting the offer now, employees can help bring certainty, stability and calm to our schools.

• Schools can plan budgets with confidence.
• Staff can focus on their students and the year ahead.
• The 2026 school year can begin in a considered and positive way.

Early agreement is in everyone’s best interest. It avoids the stress and tension of prolonged, antagonistic negotiations and allows us all to move forward together.

Supporting both processes

If you or staff in your school have already indicated support for a Single Interest Agreement (SIA) through your union, this does not prevent you from supporting this offer as well. Employees are encouraged to consider the benefits of this offer and participate in the survey regardless of any previous indication of support for an SIA.

Confidential and anonymous

The survey will be conducted confidentially and anonymously. We encourage every employee to take a few moments to consider what this offer means for them, their families and their school community – and to have their say.

Your support at this stage is essential to deliver the wage increases and improved conditions that staff have been asking for.

Focus on outcomes

While there has been discussion from some about the type of agreement being proposed, our focus here is on delivering real benefits and outcomes – higher pay, better conditions, and greater certainty – without delay.

A message from Tom

I’ve recorded a short video to explain what this offer means for you and why your support in the upcoming survey is so important. I encourage you to take a few minutes to watch it before completing the survey.

Your voice matters. A strong show of support at this stage will allow us to move forward, secure these gains, and bring stability and fairness to our schools and staff sooner.

Additional Resources

Early Career Teachers Term 4 Session – Educator Wellbeing – please share with your early career teachers!

Our next Early Career Teacher (ECT) professional learning session will be on Tuesday, 18 November from 2:15 pm to 3:15 pm.

This session will focus on Educator Wellbeing and will be presented by Be You.

The session will explore practical strategies to help you maintain balance, manage stress, and foster wellbeing as you continue to grow in your teaching career. It’s a valuable opportunity to pause, reflect, and invest in yourself before the end of the school year.

We recognise that Term 4 is always a busy one, and some teachers may prefer more individual support at this time of year. If you would like a 1:1 conversation with a CEB staff member to reflect on your experiences, discuss challenges, celebrate successes, or simply debrief on the year that’s been, please contact James Murphy who will arrange a meeting with a CEB staff member at a suitable time.

We look forward to seeing you at the session!

To register for the Be You session please click here (this is a no-charge event).

Any questions please contact James Murphy or Julie Cooper.

1st Year Graduate Teacher 'Setting Up for Success Day'

After a successful pilot in 2025, we are pleased to again offer the 1^st year graduate teacher ‘Setting Up for Success’ day - a day specifically tailored for graduate teachers commencing their first year of teaching in 2026. This day is designed to provide graduates with practical tips and early connections that will set them up for a confident start to the year.

The program will cover:

• Professional responsibilities
• Setting up classroom routines
• Engagement strategies
• Getting to know your learners
• Taking care of yourself – educator wellbeing

Session Details

• Central – Ballarat: Tuesday 20 January 2026, 9:00am – 12:30pm, followed by a networking lunch (supplied) location – Catholic Education Ballarat office – 200 Gillies St, Lake Wendouree
• North – Robinvale: (if required): Thursday 22 January 2026 – 9:00am – 12:30pm, followed by a networking lunch (supplied) location – St Mary’s School, 12 Watkins St, Robinvale (session to be confirmed based on graduate numbers – location of session will be based on the location of the majority of graduates, so may be subject to change)

This is a free, optional program and we recognise that not everyone may make it. It is deliberately scheduled before the school year starts to provide meaningful learning to enable early career teachers to succeed from day 1.  Participants of the 2025 Pilot Group found it highly valuable, helping to refresh practices learned at university and during placements, while also building peer connections with fellow graduate teachers. We invite you to encourage your 2026 graduate teachers to register and take advantage of this opportunity.

Click here to access a flyer to share with any 2026 first-year teachers.

Graduates can register for the program here. Please contact Fiona Murphy with any questions. 

2026 Early Career Incentive Program

DOBCEL is proud to offer incentive payments for graduate teachers commencing their careers in DOBCEL schools.

What’s on offer?

• $5,000* graduate sign-on bonus
• $10,000* graduate sign-on bonus in identified remote or small schools

Additional for remote and small schools;

• $5,000 relocation support
• $9,629 annual remote allowance (paid fortnightly for 3 years)
  • Equivalent to POL 3 (CEMEA)
  • Indexed annually

Conditions:

• Limited funding on offer
• Must complete application by end of day 14/12/2025
• Must accept a role in a DOBCEL school to be successful
• Bonus paid half upon commencement and half at end of Term 2
• A selection panel will determine successful applications
• *Pro-Rata payment for part-time

Apply here and please find a flyer linked below to promote these incentives. For any questions please contact James Murphy.

Thunderstorm Asthma

Please find linked below a letter template about thunderstorm asthma which may be useful for distribution to your school communities.

Sadistic Online Exploitation

Please find attached a fact sheet about Sadistic Online Exploitation containing helpful information for recognising the warning signs and informtaion regarding support services available.