In 2025, union members resisted, marched and organised until we secured significant victories for thousands of workers across Victoria. We are proud to have won these major advances. Here are five standout wins from the year. 

These victories beling to all of us. They are the result of sustained mobilisation in the streets, collective action in workplaces and advocacy carried through to the highest levels of our institutions, led by workers in union.  

Throughout the year, one strategy guided our work: making solidarity our strength. 

Building collective struggles rather than giving in to division, hate-driven narratives or attempts to pit workers against one another. 

We rise together. It’s not just a mantra, it’s a necessity.

Here are five victories won collectively in 2025.

1. Up to 35% pay rise in healthcare and other feminised industries  

Certain jobs have been historically undervalued, simply based on gender. That’s the conclusion handed down by the Fair Work Commission in April 2025. This recognition led to a major wage increase for workers covered by five priority awards. Among them: early childhood educators, health professionals, and social and community service workers.  

It’s a landmark decision that will have a real impact on the lives of thousands of workers. 

2. $120 million penalty for Qantas over illegal outsourcing 

It’s the largest employer penalty in Australian corporate history. 

Qantas was penalised for illegally outsourcing 1,700 ground crew workers, following a Federal Court decision that previously ordered the airline to pay compensation. 

A $120 million fund has now been set up to compensate workers for economic loss, hurt and suffering. Many experienced serious financial stress, family breakdown and mental health issues, made worse by five years of Qantas denying any wrongdoing. 

The Transport Workers’ Union (TWU) stood by them all the way. 

3. Super is now paid on parental leave 

Since 1 July 2025, employer superannuation contributions have increased from 11.5% to 12%. And for the first time, super is now paid on paid parental leave. This is a major breakthrough, especially for women, who still do a disproportionate shareof unpaid care work and have long been penalised during periods of unpaid super. A hard-fought union win that helps close the gender super gap. 

4. $134.5 million in backpay for junior doctors 

In October, the Federal Court approved a $134.57 million compensation package for junior doctors in Victoria. This followed years of unpaid and unrostered overtime dating back to 2015. Thousands of junior doctors (doctors in training) will benefit from this historic win, led by the Australian Salaried Medical Officers Federation (ASMOF), with legal support from Gordon Legal. 

Fair pay and adequate staffing make both doctors and patients safer. 

5. A new law stops forced silence after sexual harassment at work 

On 19 November 2025, a new law was passed in the Victorian Parliament.  

From April 2026, if you’ve been sexually harassed at work, you can’t be forced to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA). 

This is the result of years of collective organising by union members, survivors, and allies across the state. The law recognises the power imbalance between employers and workers and aims to reduce the harm caused by employer-imposed confidentiality agreements. 

This is a win for every person who stood up and said: we won’t be silenced anymore. 

In 2026, we keep going! From the streets to Parliament, from the shop floor to the negotiating table, we’ll keep fighting, organising and winning together to make Victoria a better place to live and work for everyone.