New workplace instrument available for worker retention payment applicants 

The Fair Work Commission has approved a new supported bargaining agreement for the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector.

The agreement is compliant with the worker retention payment conditions. This means that providers covered by the agreement will meet the workplace instrument requirements.

About the agreement

On 10 December 2024, the Fair Work Commission approved the Early Childhood Education and Care Multi-Employer Enterprise Agreement. It is a type of supported bargaining agreement.  

Supported bargaining is a new process where employers and employees can bargain collectively with other employers or employees in their sector, with support from the Fair Work Commission.

The outcomes of supported bargaining must lead to employees being better off overall than the pay and conditions set out in awards.

Who the agreement covers

The agreement applies to the employers listed in Part G (page 129 of this document) and their employees.

Providers can apply to join the agreement. This is known as a variation.

How to join the agreement

A variation may be made:

• jointly by the employers and their employees, or
• by a union, if a majority of the employees to be covered want to be covered.

The Fair Work Commission must approve the variation.

To find out how to join the agreement, visit the Fair Work Commission website.