Qld teachers to be best paid in country after massive wages win

Queensland teachers have scored a “cost of living” bonus payment to offset rising inflation as part of a new pay agreement that will make them the highest earning teachers in the nation.

Queensland teachers have scored a “cost of living” bonus payment to offset rising inflation, which could see them pocket up as much as $100 extra per week and make them the highest earning teachers in the country.

It comes after the powerful teachers union spent months negotiating pay rises with the government, which would see teachers given a 4 per cent pay rise this year, 4 per cent the following year, and another 3 per cent the year after.

Under the landmark inflation cash bonus first reported byThe Australian, teacher’s can cash-in on a new package which includes a cost of living adjustment worth up to 3 per cent each year, should the newly agreed pay rise be outweighed by Brisbane’s annual consumer price index.

It means if inflation continues to rise as predicted and hit 7 per cent this year, teachers could start pocketing up to an extra $100 a week, with new teachers drawing a $2945 pay rise and an additional $2297 inflation bonus and lead teachers raking in a $5001 pay rise plus a $3900 bonus.

The pay rise packet is the highest in the country, well ahead of Victoria’s 2 per cent rise and even the 3 per cent offered in New South Wales.

But the inflation bonus could blow out the state’s education $8bn sector wage bill by more than $1bn over the course of the three years.

Queensland Education Minister Grace Grace on Thursday said the pay offer would create “the best working conditions” in Australia.

“This is an offer that includes some of the highest pay increases and best working conditions for teachers in Australia,’’ she said.

Teachers have until July 29 to vote on the pay offer.