Wage boost secured for low‑paid public sector workers in South Australia

A newly endorsed enterprise agreement will deliver substantial pay increases and improved entitlements for around 6,800 low‑paid public sector workers in South Australia, including those in early childhood education services.

The agreement, titled the SA Public Sector Enterprise Agreement: Weekly Paid, covers roles such as early childhood educators, aged‑care and disability services staff, hospital orderlies, catering and security workers. It was overwhelmingly approved by workers, with 94.2 % voting in favour and a participation rate of 61 %, marking a strong endorsement of the deal. 

Key elements of the agreement:

• Immediate pay parity for aged‑care, disability services and child‑care workers with the relevant federal modern award.
• Annual wage increases of 4 % from 1 July 2025, and 3.5 % from 1 July 2026 and 1 July 2027, for other workers covered by the agreement. 
• Increased penalty rates for work on Sundays: 200 % for disability‑services workers and 175 % for others. 
• Additional entitlements, such as a first‑aid allowance for disability‑services workers, and entitlements to subsidised car parking and free public transport for health workers. 
• A commitment to review pay relativities prior to the negotiation of the next enterprise agreement.

Implications for the early childhood sector

For early childhood education and care (ECEC) services, this agreement is significant. By delivering pay parity for child‑care workers, the deal recognises the professionalism and importance of educators in the overall public service workforce. It may also assist providers in attracting and retaining qualified staff in a sector facing workforce pressures.

Moreover, the agreement aligns with broader workforce sustainability and service‑quality goals. Ensuring that early childhood educators receive wages and entitlements commensurate with their responsibilities strengthens the sector’s capacity to deliver quality outcomes for children, families and communities.

Peter Malinauskas, Premier of South Australia, highlighted the essential nature of the roles covered:

“The workers covered by this agreement provide vital services. Our hospitals, aged care and childcare could not operate without them. Yet often their work goes unheralded. They deserve a real wage rise, and this agreement will deliver it.” 

United Workers Union (UWU) General Secretary Kyam Maher said:

“After months of good‑faith negotiations, I am proud that the State Government has been able to reach an agreement. This agreement will deliver a significant cost‑of‑living boost for workers.” 

Service owners and centre managers in the ECEC sector should consider the following steps in light of the new agreement:

• Review staff wage classifications and align them with the new award parity provisions.
• Update employment contracts or payroll systems to reflect new pay rates and penalty‑rate changes.
• Communicate clearly with educators and administrative staff about the changes, effective dates and impacts on their roles.
• Factor in the increased wage and entitlements costs in budget planning and service‑fee modelling for 2025‑26 and beyond.
• Monitor future pay‑relativity reviews and prepare for the next enterprise‑agreement negotiation cycle.

Read the South Australian Government media release here.