YWCA Canberra welcomes the announcement by the Australian Government to continue to fund a 15 per cent pay rise for Early Education and Care Educators. The Worker Retention Payment, originally a two‑year program through to November 2026, has now been extended by the Australian Government to 30 June 2028. This investment will bring security and wage reform to a sector that plays a critical role in the economy and in broader child development.
As a feminist non-profit organisation committed to advancing gender equality and supporting women, children, and families, YWCA Canberra operates high-quality early learning services that prioritise community benefit over profit. We employ over 400 staff to provide early education and care as well as school age care for more than 2,600 children across our services.
“Early childhood education is one of the most highly feminised and lowest paid industries in Australia. As a not-for profit provider of early childhood services, YWCA Canberra has always proudly paid our staff above the industry award.”
– Frances Crimmins, YWCA Canberra Chief Executive Officer
YWCA Canberra have been longstanding advocates for pay equality for the early education sector and see improved wage settings as a core feature of closing the wage gap and creating a sustainable sector that minimises staff turnover and prioritises child wellbeing.
This announcement will typically mean, when combined with the minimum wage rises, a $255/week increase in the wages of a full-time educator and $410/week for an early childhood teachers who are paid under the relevant modern awards compared to December 2024 when the pay rises commenced under the Worker Retention Payment funding support.
We also welcome the decision by the Government to tie the payment to services meeting the national safety standard. This decision reflects the importance of safeguarding and recognises that non-profit providers routinely outperform for-profit services under the national quality framework.
“This distinction between for-profit and non-profit providers isn’t coincidental, it reflects the inherent differences between services motivated by profits and those motivated by values. This decision finally recognises this.” – Ms Crimmins said.
YWCA Canberra media contact:
Eleanor Sander O’Hearn
Executive Director Communications Advocacy and Engagement
eleanor.sanderohearn@ywca-canberra.org.au
0475 240 101