National jobs growth and wage uplift supports sector confidence

Australia’s labour market continues to perform strongly, with April data revealing a notable combination of job creation, rising wages, and near-record levels of workforce participation, particularly among women.

Reported by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), 89,000 new jobs were created between March and April 2025, including 59,500 full-time roles. Women accounted for 65,300 of these new positions, highlighting historically high rates of female participation in the workforce.

The national unemployment rate remains at 4.1%, a figure consistent with long-term stability, while the participation rate climbed to 67.1%, close to record highs. Since May 2022, more than 1.1 million jobs have been created, an employment growth rate among the highest in major advanced economies.

Why this matters to the early learning sector

For early childhood education and care (ECEC) professionals, these figures reflect broader workforce trends impacting the sector. A predominantly female workforce stands to benefit from national gains in employment and wage growth. The data also reinforces ongoing momentum behind efforts to improve retention, recognition, and wage equity across the ECEC landscape.

The Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Amanda Rishworth, welcomed the jobs data, noting that:

“More people are working, earning more, and keeping more of what they earn. Delivering more jobs and higher wages is one of the best ways we can support Australians with cost-of-living pressures.”

In parallel, ABS data confirmed 18 consecutive months of real wages growth, contributing to a cautiously optimistic outlook for workers navigating rising living costs.

Minister Rishworth also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to an “economically responsible” real wage increase through its upcoming Fair Work Commission submission, in line with election commitments to support Australia’s lowest-paid workers:

“Our lowest paid workers deserve an economically responsible real wage increase. We’ve seen 18 consecutive months of real wages growth. This is about ensuring workers don’t go backwards.”

Implications for ECEC

As job creation expands and wage growth stabilises, the ECEC sector may see benefits linked to workforce retention, gender equity initiatives, and sector reform agendas.

For leaders and educators, the national focus on workforce resilience underscores the need to prioritise staff wellbeing, access to upskilling, and meaningful recognition of the profession’s contribution.

A strong and stable workforce is essential to delivering high-quality education and care.

Under the National Quality Framework (NQF) specifically Quality Area 4: Staffing Arrangements and Quality Area 7: Governance and Leadership services are expected to prioritise effective leadership, collaborative teams, and workforce sustainability. 

For providers, leaders and educators, the national focus on workforce resilience reinforces the need to prioritise staff wellbeing, provide access to professional learning, and meaningfully recognise the vital role educators play in shaping Australia’s future.