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IEU members have benefited from significantly improved workplace laws in recent years. Nationally, the IEU negotiates more than 840 collective agreements. While today’s bargaining laws are fairer, important reforms are still needed to level the bargaining playing field for members seeking to access single interest multi-employer bargaining. As currently drafted, the laws restrict unions from seeking a multi-employer single interest authorisation (SIA) until expiry of their current agreement. In contrast, employers are free to initiate bargaining under the inferior ‘cooperative bargaining’ stream at any time before expiry. Read here about the changes needed to fix this clear imbalance: IEU Speaks on [...]

Teaching assistants recognised as essential to educational success The AITSL Guidelines for the Optimal Deployment of Teaching Assistants in Australian Classrooms underscore the crucial role of teaching assistants in enhancing student outcomes and reducing teacher workload. The AITSL Guidelines follow an extensive research and consultation process undertaken since their announcement in the National Teacher Workforce Action Plan.  Read here about the vital role of teaching assistants: IEU Speaks on guidelines for deploying teaching assistants The Guidelines emphasise the potential benefits of effectively utilising teaching assistants and will help renew focus on the changes needed to reduce teacher workload.  

Teachers’ safety and inclusive education go hand in hand, while new data shows rising school violence Education workers are experiencing serious workplace health and safety risks as classroom violence and challenging student behaviours escalate. Read about the proactive steps needed to provide safe and inclusive classrooms: IEU Speaks on student behaviour & workplace safety Workplace wellbeing and truly inclusive education rely on long-term social and economic reforms by governments and school employers.

Women's safety at work declines over the decade, while progress in other equality measures remains modest With women making up nearly three-quarters of our union’s membership, the IEU is deeply concerned by the national findings of the Gender Equality @ Work Index. The data shows that women's safety at work actually declined to 75 points in 2024, a drop of three points since 2014. Read here about the mixed results on gender equality: IEU Speaks on women's workplace safety The decline in workplace safety for women undermines the modest progress made in other areas. The Centre for Gender Equality and Inclusion’s 2025 [...]

World Teachers’ Day has its proud origins in union led action promoting the teaching profession. While the event has become a community wide day of recognition involving multiple stakeholders and supporting organisations, it’s important to note the union story and history that underpins the event. Read more here: World Teachers' Day - Our Union Led Event Our community celebrates and recognises our teachers for transforming the education of future generations, it's also a time for employers and governments to reflect on the support and working conditions needed by teachers to continue to deliver high quality education. World Teachers’ Day is an [...]

Addressing bullying in schools is a society-wide issue: schools and teachers must not carry the burden alone. On 18 October 2025 the Australian Government Department of Education released the Final Report from the Anti-Bullying Rapid Review. During the six-month consultation, IEU officers and members met directly with the Review’s co-chairs and lodged detailed submissions supporting reform and urging ongoing consultation with the education sector and school workforce on all eight recommendations Read here about the Review's final recommendations: IEU Speaks on the Anti-Bullying Rapid Review Only through genuine collaboration and unwavering support for those working directly with students can we ensure [...]