Members of the Queensland Teachers' Union (QTU) have rejected a proposed pay increase that would have allowed teachers to earn over $100,000 annually by the end of 2028. In a vote held on Friday, 67 percent of the union's 50,000 members opposed the state government's offer after a week of discussions.

QTU General Secretary Kate Ruttiman stated on social media, "This means that the campaign for improved salaries and conditions to address the teacher shortage crisis will continue."

The state government had proposed an 8 percent pay rise over three years, which would have ensured that every state school teacher reached a salary of more than $100,000 by 2028. The offer also included the establishment of a new safety task force aimed at addressing violence in classrooms.

Despite the government's proposal, the union did not endorse the deal and opted to let its members decide. Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek had previously called the offer "historic," noting that senior teachers could earn up to $135,000 and principals could make $200,000. Additional incentives included a $400 payment for new teachers, $100 per night for those supervising school camps, and a $1,000 attraction and retention payment for teachers in regional areas.

However, the QTU has consistently voiced concerns regarding chronic understaffing in schools. In August, approximately 50,000 teachers participated in a strike across Queensland after negotiations with the state government over pay and working conditions stalled. This marked the first teachers' strike since 2009 and affected around 570,000 students across 1,266 public schools.

Following the vote, Ruttiman announced that the QTU's state council would convene on Saturday to discuss the next steps in their campaign. Reports indicate that the government and the union are scheduled to engage in arbitration at the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission (QIRC) later this year, which may help prevent further industrial action.