State school teachers secure interim pay rise

August 25, 2026 — 11:15amTeachers have been awarded an interim pay bump more than a year after a workplace deal between their union and the government expired and as heated negotiations continue.The Queensland Industrial Relations Commission made the ruling on Tuesday morning, granting teachers a 3 per cent wage increase effective from next fortnight.The decision follows hearings on Monday concerning the argument for an interim pay increase, rather than the broader workplace deal, which remained unresolved.Queensland teachers march through Brisbane on their way to Parliament House.Brisbane Times / Catherine StrohfeldtThe Queensland Teachers’ Union put forward a case for a 3 per cent base increase, and in mid-2026 also asked for a 0.5 per cent “cost-of-living uplift adjustment”, bumping the request to 3.5 per cent.Presenting its submission to the commission alongside the Together Union on Monday, the QTU also proposed backpay to February 1 this year.Although the commission granted an increase, it rejected the unions’ proposal for backpay. The pay increase would instead be effective on September 7.In an email to state school teachers, Education Department director-general Sharon Schimming said teachers would not see the increase in their pay cheques until October 4.“As the employer of more than 57,000 teachers, we recognise the importance of providing teachers with appropriate remuneration while the broader matter is resolved,” she said.“The settling of this interim wage determination by the QIRC is in line with the department’s approach of fully supporting and accepting the role of an independent arbitrator in resolving the matter, given the inability of parties to reach any such outcome by mutual agreement.”The broader workplace deal – which entered arbitration on December 31, 2025 – was due for a mention in the Industrial Court of Queensland on September 2.Queensland Department of Education director-general Sharon Schimming.Queensland ParliamentHowever, it remained without a firm hearing date.Schimming said the department was hopeful the date would be given at the next court appearance, and promised teachers the state was “working constructively to reach a positive outcome as soon as possible”.“I understand that teachers may be frustrated at this process to reach a new agreement,” the director-general said.In a statement posted online, the teachers’ union said the ruling was “in favour of QTU members”.“This is a significant win for QTU members and an important step forward in our ongoing campaign to be valued and fairly recognised for the work we do,” the statement said.The union told members in June it was seeking a 7 per cent yearly increase across three years.Combined with the interim increase, this would deliver a 24 per cent increase over the lifetime of the deal.Some Queensland state school teachers received a pay rise of up to 3.5 per cent in December, after their pay fell below minimum thresholds for public service workers.Leading into arbitration, the state had insisted it would not deliver a pay increase ahead of a new EBA.The QTU has been contacted for comment.Get alerts on significant breaking news as happens. Sign up for our Breaking News Alert.More:SchoolsTeachingTrade unionsQueensland governmentBrisbaneFor subscribersFrom our partners