Today is a historic day for our nation’s dedicated, professional early childhood educators

Today’s five per cent pay rise fully delivers the Albanese Government’s 15 per cent pay rise for educators, a pay rise that new data shows is stabilising early learning.

 

It means an extra $160 a week in educators’ pockets. When you combine that with the regular award increase, educators are getting an extra $200 each week.

 

That’s no small amount, and it means real cost-of-living relief for our hard-working early learning workforce.

 

This 15 per cent pay rise comes right before Christmas, but it’s not a Christmas present. 

 

It is well-earned. It is hard fought for. And it is long overdue. 

 

For too long, our dedicated educators have been underpaid and undervalued. 

 

When the Albanese Government first came to power in 2022, we inherited a sector where educators were leaving in droves. We inherited record high vacancy rates, burnout, and casualisation.

 

But since educators received the first 10 per cent of their pay rise in December last year, we’ve seen this turn around.

 

The number of educators is up 6 per cent.

 

Vacancy rates are down 14 per cent.

 

Staffing waivers are down 9 per cent. 

 

And one large provider, Goodstart, has reported a five per cent reduction in the use of casuals and a 70 per cent reduction in the use of labour hire.

 

Many providers have recorded similar results.

 

Looking at these figures, we can see that the pay rise is working.

 

And I see this reflected when I meet with educators right across the country. 

 

Educators like Lauren, at Glenelg Goodstart in South Australia, who told me this has taken the edge off of her bills. She has family in the country, and now she can afford to drive to visit them more often because she can pay for fuel.

 

Or like Lucy, at Gowrie Clemton Park, who told me that the pay rise has helped her balance the cost of living with saving for a house.

 

On top of that practical support, this pay rise is about recognition and respect.

 

Educators are worth this extra money. 

 

They deserve the additional pay.

 

Today’s pay rise reflects the hard work they do to support children and families day after day after day.

 

It reflects their skill, care and commitment.

 

And it reflects the vital role educators play in giving Australian children the best possible start in life. 

 

And this doesn’t just benefit educators. 

 

The Albanese Government is building an early learning system that every child can access, no matter their postcode or what their parents do.

 

To achieve that vision, we need our experienced and hard-working educators to be able to afford to stay in the jobs they love. 

 

Because when they stay in those jobs, it provides more stability for the centres they work in, and the children they work with. 

 

That’s good for children, and good for families. 

 

And that stability, in turn, strengthens the whole early learning sector.

 

A quality workforce truly is the backbone of quality early education and care. 

 

So to those educators waking up to more money in their accounts this December – thank you for your hard work.

 

I hope you know that the Government values and acknowledges the contribution you make to educating and caring for our youngest Australians.