2024 Budget Review – Measures directly impacting the ECEC workforce

Since Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ handed down his 2024/25 Budget the lion’s share of focus has been on the historic commitment to fund educator wage increases once the Fair Work Commission has completed its Annual Wage Review and Gender Pay Equity Research processes. 

• A new Commonwealth Prac Payment of $319.5 per week will be available from 1 July 2025 for students undertaking supervised mandatory placements as part of their studies including those studying for certificate, diploma and degree qualifications. No longer will educators need to use leave, paid or otherwise, to attend and complete practicums without reimbursement. 

• Although this is not a new measure the Government has extended the Incentive Systems payment scheme through which educators on a traineeship could receive bonuses of as much as $5,000 and their employers may be eligible for a slightly higher sign on incentive. 

• The Government has substantially boosted the funding available for services to increase their capacity to support children with additional needs, which will inevitably create opportunities for educators specialising in these areas. 

• Through the First Nations Teacher Strategy $2.4 million has been allocated to improve the attraction and retention of First Nations teachers.