Workforce
New wage agreement delivers cost-of-living relief for early childhood educators in SA
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Fiona Alston
Oct 20, 2025
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The South Australian Government has reached an in-principle agreement with the United Workers Union (UWU) on a new enterprise agreement that will deliver significant cost-of-living support to thousands of public sector workers, including early childhood educators.
The SA Public Sector Enterprise Agreement: Weekly Paid covers approximately 6,000 employees across critical service roles, including aged care, disability services, early childhood education, hospital support, catering, sterilisation, and security services.This new agreement acknowledges that many of these workers are among the lowest paid in the public sector. It proposes immediate and long-term measures aimed at improving pay equity, retention, and recognition for their essential contributions.Key elements of the agreement include:
- Immediate pay parity with the relevant Federal modern award for aged care, disability services, and child care workers.
- Annual wage increases of 4 per cent that commenced form 1 July 2025, followed by 3.5 per cent increases in 2026 and 2027.
- Supplementary adjustment payments in recognition of the historic undervaluation of this work.
- Increased penalty rates for Sunday work up to 200 per cent for disability support workers and 175 per cent for all other workers.
- A new first aid allowance for disability services staff supporting complex clients.
- Codification of entitlements to subsidised car parking and free public transport for health workers.
- A commitment to review pay relativities before the next round of enterprise bargaining.
The offer, now endorsed by UWU delegates, will proceed to a ballot of all workers covered under the proposed agreement.
South Australian Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector, Kyam Maher, said the agreement recognises the vital contributions of those working in frontline services.
“These workers provide essential services to some of the most vulnerable people in our community whether that be disability support, early childhood education, aged care, or the caterers, orderlies, and security staff that keep our hospitals running,” Mr Maher said.
“These workers deserve a real wage increase.”
The agreement forms part of a broader effort by the South Australian Government to deliver targeted relief and pay fairness across its workforce, particularly for those whose roles support community wellbeing and public care systems.
Read the announcement here.
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