Early childhood educators are today welcoming the second stage of the Albanese Labor Government’s 15 per cent pay rise, with a Cert III-trained educator seeing a pay boost of $11,000 annually.
The 15 per cent pay rise has set a new standard in early childhood education and care with 200,000 educators now receiving the pay rise, based on the most recent Federal Government statistics.
A Cert III educator with more than two years experience on the award will see their weekly pay increase from $1102 in December last year to $1311 – an increase of $10,932 annually. The pay increases have occurred in a fraction over a year, with the first 10 per cent stage awarded in December last year, a 3.5 per cent award wage increase in July, and the second 5 per cent stage paid from today.
“In a year in early childhood education in which child safety has been the absolute focus, the pay rise has played a crucial role in attracting and retaining valuable, skilled educators,” United Workers Union National President Jo Schofield said today.
“Educators across the sector regularly tell us the pay rise has allowed them to stay in a job they love.
“The fact educators are staying to provide the quality education and care needed by families and children speaks to the success of the Albanese Labor Government’s pay rise.
“Ministers Clare and Walsh are to be congratulated on implementing a scheme that has helped address years of understaffing and the terrible consequences that can follow.
“They are also to be commended for acting on the historical gender bias against the overwhelmingly female workforce – action vindicated by subsequent gender undervaluation findings by the Fair Work Commission.
“Educators with secure jobs and reasonable rates of pay in well-staffed centres are able to provide the consistency of education, care, support and safety that has been so sadly lacking in the worst examples seen this year.
“The pay rise has provided stability for educators in a rocky year for the sector, and that stability has allowed families and children to receive the quality education and care they deserve.
“We also look at the success of the union-approved multi-employer agreement, which has been the easiest, quickest and most reliable way for educators to get the 15 per cent pay rise.
“Employees covered by the multi-employer agreement are the single-largest cohort of educators to receive the pay rise, and the agreement demonstrates how positive change can be implemented effectively.”
Queensland-based centre director Karen Moran says:
“In almost three decades in the sector, I still find it rewarding to watch children grow, learn and gain confidence, and know I play a real role in their development.
“As a single parent with a mortgage, the pay rise is already making a meaningful difference to my household budget – it gives extra financial breathing room with bills, and it gives me more stability. It acknowledges the real pressures educators face and gives me greater confidence about my future in the sector.”