New research from Monash University has identified fresh evidence of how the ‘gender pay gap’ begins from the first days of employment, and ends with a deficit of more than $80,000 in losses by the end of a career. For the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector, this news is especially pertinent, with 97 per cent of the workforce being female, and with increased attention being placed on addressing the low rates of pay within the sector, which many identify as a core reason for the high staff turnover in this space.

Shadow Minister for Early Childhood Education and Development Amanda Rishworth has accused the current Federal Government of “trying to hide the impact their unfair child care changes are having on vulnerable Australian children”.

Learning Links, a not-for-profit charitable organisation dedicated to preventing learning difficulties from causing disadvantage, has announced that they will open a new learning centre at SOMA Wellness health hub, located in Gledswood Hills, a suburb in the Macarthur region of Sydney, New South Wales.

Western Australia is the latest state to take on the battle for gendered pay parity, with plans underway for women who earn less than men (despite doing the same or similar role) – even if they work for different companies in different industries or sectors – being able to seek adjudication from WA industrial relations sources.

A recent Federal Department of Education and Training data release detailing the impact of the child care subsidy (CCS) on the early education and care (ECEC) sector has reraised concerns that the new legislation is impacting vulnerable and children and families negatively.