Early childhood educators across Australia will receive pay rises of around $10,000 a year** after the Albanese Labor Government honoured its promise to low-paid educators.
The Federal Government’s announcement today delivers on its commitment to address low pay in the female-dominated sector and get wages moving.
The announcement addresses a sector-wide workforce crisis in early education, where staff shortages and burnout have led to 60 per cent of educators saying they want to leave within three years.
The government-funded wage increase will be available to employers to pass on to their workers, including through a new union-approved sector-wide agreement.
Quotes attributable to Lisa Bonser, Early Childhood Educator for over 20 years in New South Wales:
“This is a monumental moment. It is history making. This means I can stay in the job I love and I know that it is going to change a lot of lives, not just my own.
“Government has delivered the missing piece needed to stop the crisis in our sector.
“There are people I work with and at other centres that are just hanging on because they can’t get a second job, or they want to have quality of life and having this extra finance come in will be paramount for them.
“We are proud to finally win the recognition that educators deserve.”
Quotes attributable to Jo Schofield, National President, United Workers Union:
“It is well and truly time for educators to get the pay and conditions they deserve. Today we celebrate the culmination of years of persistent campaigning and advocacy for fair wages by early educators in their workplaces, communities and at every level of government through their Union.
“This wage increase recognises a group of predominantly female workers who have been undervalued for decades, despite providing the social, emotional, and educational foundations for Australia’s next generation. It means educators will be able to stay in the sector and in the jobs they love.
“Additionally, fair wages make practical sense to attract and retain a workforce that supports women returning to the workplace, and supports families in children’s early years.
“By setting a new standard for early education, the community will reap the rewards by giving children the best chance to achieve their potential.”
Last year, United Workers Union early education members made history by entering into negotiations for Australia’s first-ever multi-employer agreement, including the Federal Government. In May, the Federal Government announced its budget commitment to fund a real pay rise for educators.
“Right now, 64 employers are part of the negotiations for this agreement. While this covers thousands of educators, we know that more educators deserve to see this money in their pockets. Let’s get the word out to educators across the country and invite them to be part of this,” Ms Schofield said.
EDS: 97% of the workforce in early learning is female.
** An award-based Cert III educator with multiple years of experience will receive a wage increase of almost $11,000 ($10,897) based on two installments of the announced wage rise (10 per cent in December 2024 and 5 per cent in December 2025) and an assumption they would receive a regular Fair Work Commission award wage decision increase of 3 per cent in July 2025.
Without the assumption of an award wage decision increase the same educator would receive a wage increase of almost $9000 ($8,907).
If you work in early education, use the United Workers Union Payrise Calculator here to see what this announcement means for you!