Cross sector responses to FWC gender undervaluation ruling roll in 

Various advocacy groups and representatives from across the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector have provided responses to a recent Fair Work Commission (FWC) ruling in relation to gender undervaluation in five female dominated sectors and industries including ECEC. 

Early Childhood Australia (ECA), the Australian Childcare Alliance (ACA), Community Early Learning Australia (CELA), and Community Child Care (CCC) all provided responses to The Sector at time of print, a summary of which has been provided below. 

“The Fair Work Commission’s provision decision is a momentous win for our sector,” CELA CEO Michele Carnegie said, “recognising that early educators have not been valued for their important work.”

CCC Acting Executive Director Daniela Kavoukas agreed saying “The Fair Work Commission has confirmed what we all know – the work and pay of educators has been significantly undervalued. We encourage the Federal Government to come to the table and support these wage increases as the next step towards a high quality universal early education and care system.”

The decision was welcomed by ECA as an interim measure by ECA, however for CEO Samantha Page it is just the beginning of larger change. 

“The longer-term positive impact that significantly adjusting the award can have on our existing and future early childhood workforce cannot be underestimated,” she said.

“This is an excellent step towards improved pay, conditions and professional recognition for the value of the work that early childhood educators undertake every day,” she added, emphasising that ECA will represent its diverse membership in preparing a response to the provisional views of the Decision, and continue in its advocacy and support for early childhood educators and leaders across service types and the diverse contexts in which they work. 

ACA President Paul Mondo reiterated the role the organisation played in the tripartite negotiations with Government and unions to secure a fully government-funded wage increase for workers to secure not only fair pay, but viability for early learning services, calling for the latest decision to also be backed by a longer term funding arrangement to ensure that families were not impacted by higher costs. 

The ACA, he continued, is urging all political parties to publicly commit to fully funding the FWC wage decision in their election platforms and to prioritise workforce sustainability in the ECEC sector. 

“Whichever party forms Government on 3 May, they must work with the sector to manage this decision and ensure long term viability (as well as) managing the affordability impact on families.” 

Learn more about the FWC ruling here.