Tasmanian Government schools will be temporarily closed next week as a result of industrial action by public sector unions.
Schools will be closed from the start of the school day until 11am on the relevant day for each region:
o North-West: Tuesday, 28 October
o North (incl. Launceston): Wednesday, 29 October
o South (incl. Hobart): Thursday, 30 October
Schools will communicate directly with families and with an uncertain number of staff participating in the stop work action, families are asked to make arrangements for students to arrive after 11am for classes to commence at 11.30am.
School buses will continue to operate at their normal times, except for Support School buses, which will be unable to run in the morning.
Minister for Education, Jo Palmer, said the Tasmanian Government was extremely disappointed in the unions' unnecessary action that will disrupt student learning and families, as well as impact businesses.
"Every day of school matters. This disruptive and unnecessary action by the unions' means we are unable to guarantee there will be enough staff on site to adequately care for students," Minister Palmer said.
"We recognise the impact this will have on students, families and small businesses, and we again call on the unions to take the pay rise being offered and keep schools open."
A revised wage offer was provided to unions earlier this week.
It includes a 3 per cent wage increase, which is almost double Tasmania's annual inflation rate of 1.7 per cent, and strengthens a number of employment conditions.
Teachers next anticipated pay rise is not due until March 26, 2026.
The Australian Education Union's log of claims was submitted to the Government on 22 September, 2025.
