West Australian teachers will become the nation's highest paid when they receive their next pay packets, Premier Colin Barnett says.
Mr Barnett today announced a $120 million package for teachers, promised by the Liberals during the election campaign, would provide an immediate six per cent pay rise backdated to September 5.
The announcement comes after a bitter year-long struggle between the State School Teachers Union of WA (SSTUWA) and the former government.
The union ended up in arbitration and was hauled before the Industrial Relations Commission for taking strike action.
Mr Barnett said the dispute had been a major distraction and the "long overdue" salary increase would be paid immediately.
WA Education Minister Liz Constable said the rest of the package for teachers would be thrashed out in the coming weeks.
"I'm really hoping we can (avoid arbitration)," Dr Constable said.
"I hope they (the union) will see this as a very positive first step..."
Dr Constable said the overall offer to teachers would not be less than the previous government's offer.
"It certainly won't be less," she said.
Two of the other sticking points to be discussed with the SSTUWA include professional development for teachers and allowances for country teachers.
