Bendigo school cuts 15 staff to cover new teacher wages
St Peter's Primary School in North Bendigo is cutting 15 staff as Catholic schools must fund new teacher wage agreements themselves.
St Peter's Primary School in North Bendigo is losing 15 staff at the end of 2026, about a fifth of its workforce. The school faces budget pressure after Catholic schools were ordered to fund most of a 28.3 per cent teacher wage increase over four years, while the state government funds this in public schools.
The cuts include teachers and education support staff. The school is also adjusting support staffing in response to new federal disability funding rules.
Changes come as St Peter's moves to straight single-grade classes with about 26 students per class. Acting principal Paul Bissinella told parents the structure supports the school's long-term viability amid increasing financial pressures.
- 15
- Staff being cut
- about 67 staff
- Total workforce
- 28.3 per cent
- Wage increase over 4 years
- North Bendigo
- School location
Why it mattersTeacher pay rises are putting strain on private and Catholic school budgets, affecting how many staff they can afford.
AustraliaCatholic schools across Victoria face similar budget pressure, potentially affecting staffing at other schools in the state.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
