The Diocese of Ballarat Catholic Education Limited (DOBCEL) has welcomed the offer made by Catholic school employers across Victoria to deliver a minimum 7% wage rise for all Catholic school staff from the start of the 2026 school year, along with significant improvements to employment conditions.

The proposal, developed by Catholic school employers through the Victorian Catholic Education Authority (VCEA), demonstrates a shared commitment to valuing and supporting staff across Victoria’s 333 Catholic schools.

DOBCEL Executive Director, Mr Tom Sexton, said the offer represents an important step toward a fair and forward-looking agreement that reflects what matters most to Catholic education communities.

“This offer reflects what matters most to our community – that staff feel valued, respected and supported in their vital work,” Mr Sexton said.

“Alongside other Catholic school employers, DOBCEL, with the full support of the DOBCEL Board, has made an offer that delivers real improvements to wages and conditions and gives our staff confidence for the 2026 school year and beyond.”

The offer includes:

• A minimum 7% pay increase from January 2026 – the largest single-year rise in 25 years.
• Guaranteed pay parity with government school employees for the life of the agreement.
• A $1500 sign-on bonus (pro-rata for part-time staff).
• Five full days of time in lieu for full-time teachers.
• Higher salaries and improved classifications for Education Support staff, deputy principals and primary principals.
• Enhanced leave provisions, including increased paid parental leave, paid lactation breaks, and new wellbeing-related leave options.

Mr Sexton said the process has been designed to be open, constructive and collaborative.

“We’ve heard from staff that higher wages are a top priority, especially during a cost-of-living crisis,” he said.
“This is our best offer – one that delivers certainty and recognises the incredible contribution of Catholic education staff across our system.”

VCEA Chief Executive Officer Professor Elizabeth Labone said the offer provides “meaningful wage rises and enhanced conditions” from the start of 2026.

VCEA Board Chair James Merlino added that “making a new agreement will deliver higher wages and better conditions for employees without delay and give schools budget clarity for 2026.”

Mr Sexton said DOBCEL’s goal is to have the new cooperative agreement in place before the end of the year.

“If approved, every staff member will see higher pay from day one of Term 1, and we can all focus on our core work next year – teaching and learning,” he said.

Full details of the offer are available at eb.catholic.edu.au.