The Federal Government has announced early childhood educators will receive a raise of 15% over 18 months.
It comes one month before workers planned to walk off the job in support of a pay rise.
Announcing the increase, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese noted that in order to access funding, childcare centres will need to meet the National Quality Standard from July 2027.
Here’s what you need to know.
Context
In late 2024, the Federal Government gave early childhood educators a 15% pay rise over two years.
Further rises were not included in the latest Federal Budget, delivered in May.
In response to this, the United Workers Union (UWU) announced educators would walk off the job on 15 July, closing centres nationwide.
UWU Early Education Director Carolyn Smith said: “Educators fought hard for this [raise] and the Government had every opportunity in the Budget to finish the job.”
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On Wednesday, the Government announced that it was committed to extending the 15% pay rise over 18 months after the existing scheme ends in November.
Combined with new minimum award wage rates, the Government said early childhood educators will earn around $255 to $410 more per week (depending on their role) than in December 2024.
Australian Childcare Alliance President Paul Mondo called the decision a “positive step toward recognising in the critical role educators play in the lives of children and families”.
In July 2025, the Government passed laws giving it the power to stop funding childcare centres that do not meet the National Quality Standard (NQS), set by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority.
On Wednesday, Education Minister Jason Clare said the Government is “taking the next step [by] tying this funding to safety standards.”
Centres that do not meet NQS by July 2027 will not receive Government funding.
Opposition
Shadow Education Minister Julian Leeser and Shadow Choice in Childcare and Early Learning Minister Matt O’Sullivan said they “welcome the certainty” of the announcement.
However, they called the funding a “short-term solution”.
The ministers added that the announcement “creates further work for childcare centres and doesn’t deliver the long-term planning expected by the sector.”
