Legislation underpinning 15% pay rise passes through Parliament

The Federal Government passed legislation through Parliament last night to deliver a 15 per cent wage increase to some of the early childhood education and care (ECEC) workforce. 

“Properly valuing the early childhood education and care workforce is crucial to attracting and retaining workers and vital to achieving the quality universal early learning sector Australian families deserve,” Federal Minister for Early Childhood Education Dr Anne Aly said.

“This is a wonderful outcome for a highly feminised workforce that has for far too long been neglected and taken for granted.”

To be phased in over two years the wage increase will include a 10 per cent increase from December 2024, and a further 5 per cent increase from December 2025.

The $3.6 billion investment aims to help retain existing ECEC professionals and to attract others to the sector. 

The wage increase is tied to a commitment from ECEC services to limit fee increases. 

“A pay rise for every early childhood educator is good for our workforce, good for families and good for our economy,” Minister for Education, Jason Clare said.

Early learning providers can now apply for funding to deliver the pay rise at: education.gov.au/early-childhood/workforce/wages.