Pay boost lands for 200k early childhood educators

THE final stage of a 15 per cent wage rise for early childhood educators came into effect on Monday this week, lifting wages for more than 200,000 workers across the sector.

The increase is part of a $3.6 billion investment into early childhood education and care by the federal government to address low pay and workforce shortages.

Educators received the first 10 per cent of the pay rise in December last year, and the remaining 5 per cent took effect this week.

For a full-time educator, the 15 per cent pay rise delivers an extra $160 per week. Combined with recent increases to the national minimum wage, the average early childcare educator is now earning $200 more per week, while an early childhood teacher is earning an additional $316 per week.

Corangamite federal member Libby Coker met with educators at Goodstart Early Learning Torquay on Monday to mark the milestone.

The pay rise, she said, recognises the essential role local educators play for families and the community.

“After much advocacy, it is so exciting that our early childhood educators and carers are now receiving the second part of the Albanese government’s 15 per cent pay rise – it’s much deserved recognition of the hard work our educators do every day.

“This will mean an extra $160 in educators’ pockets, delivering real cost-of-living relief for our hard-working early learning workforce.

“The pay rise is helping to support local workers and, across the nation, we’re seeing more educators take up work in the sector, which is such a great result.”

Minister for Early Childhood Education Jess Walsh said the pay rise will help create a stable, long-term workforce and strengthen the childcare sector.

“For too long, our early childhood educators were underpaid, undervalued and overlooked,” she said. “And as a result, they were walking out the door.

“With the Albanese Labor government’s 15 per cent pay rise, we’re seeing that turn around.”

Federal data shows the pay rise has already contributed to workforce improvements over the past 12 months, with the number of educators rising by 15,000 nationally, vacancy rates falling by 14 per cent and staffing waivers down 9 per cent.

Goodstart Early Learning is one of the providers reaping the benefits, reporting a 5 per cent reduction in the use of casuals and a 70 per cent reduction in labour-hire reliance.

Chief executive Dr Ros Baxter celebrated the positive impact the wage uplift has had on the sector.

“As a not-for-profit provider with sector-leading wages and strong learning and development pathways, we are seeing lower staff turnover and that’s important in keeping children safe,” she said.