Enterprise Bargaining Agreement Update

Sadly, but not unexpectedly, agreement has not been reached on a new Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA) prior to the expiry of the current agreement on 31 December 2025.

The APF remained committed to reaching agreement before this date, however this outcome has not been achieved, with negotiations now paused for the end-of-year period. Bargaining will resume in mid-January.

While this is disappointing, members can be assured that the APF has been active, strategic and persistent throughout the bargaining process. As part of this work, the APF presented two formal positioning papers to the Department, which we are now sharing with members.

• Time-in-Lieu and Acquittal 

  This paper outlines the APF’s position on the need for clearer, fairer and more workable arrangements for time-in-lieu, recognising the significant additional hours routinely worked by principals and assistant principals in addition to teachers and ES staff.

   

• Payout of Personal (Sick) Leave upon Retirement

  This paper sets out the APF’s argument for recognising accumulated personal leave at the point of retirement, acknowledging long service, sustained commitment and the unique nature of principal class roles.

   

As I step away from the role of President, I want to assure members that the APF’s work in this space will continue without pause. The APF bargaining team will be capably led by incoming President, Andrew Cock, who will steer the negotiations with the same focus, resolve and commitment. The team will continue to advocate strongly and unapologetically for the principal class, ensuring that workload, wellbeing and work value remain central to negotiations.

In the meantime, members are advised that until a new agreement is finalised and formally approved, the terms and conditions of the VGSA 2022 continue to apply.

We will continue to keep members informed as negotiations recommence and progress in the new year.