Already over-worked early childhood educators could be left with lower pay after a Fair Work Commission ruling stretched award wage rises over three-and-a-half years, instead of a shorter time frame proposed by the Federal Government.
The ruling means 200,000 educators currently benefiting from an historic 15 per cent pay rise could face a pay cut late next year, back to lower award wages, in a sector that already struggles to retain workers due to workload, stress and low pay.
United Workers Union educators fought hard for the historic 15 per cent pay rise delivered by the Albanese Labor Government last year, with 10 per cent paid in December 2024 and 5 per cent paid in December 2025.
The Federal Government made the pay rises in recognition of historic gender undervaluation occurring in the sector, ahead of unions successfully arguing in the Commission earlier this year for gender undervaluation pay rises. In the case United Workers Union members won pay rises of 23 per cent for an educator with a Cert III to address gender undervaluation.
In its submissions to the Commission the Federal Government said the bulk of the gender undervaluation pay rises should be awarded before the expiry of the current pay rise in November 2026, meaning no educator would lose pay when funding for the pay rise ended.
However in its ruling yesterday, the Commission stretched the pay rises out until, in some cases, June 2029.
United Workers Union Early Education Director Carolyn Smith said it was disheartening to see early educators possibly impacted by a Commission decision that was seemingly out of step with the Commission’s own views on the importance of pay rises to address gender undervaluation.
“Early educators dedicate their working hours to supporting children, and provide a vital service,” Ms Smith said.
“They are skilled, experienced and serious about their important work in nurturing children.
“This year, there has been a string of devastating incidents reported in early education, and it’s become clearer than ever that supported, committed and well-trained educators are essential to the sector.
“Delaying the award increase is a step backwards that educators and the sector simply can’t afford. We will see more and more experienced educators leaving the sector because they simply cannot afford to pay the bills in a job that doesn’t value them fairly.
“The Federal Government must step in to preserve the stability the 15 per cent pay rise has brought to the sector.
“Union members will not be backing down. We will continue to fight for fair pay that recognises the important work of early educators nationwide.”