Pay increase for early childhood workers

More than 17,000 Goodstart early childhood education and care workers will take home more pay this week as a result of the Federal Labor Government’s historic 15 per cent wage increase.

Federal Member for Dobell Emma McBride welcomed the pay increase, having voted in support of the legislation earlier this year.

This week, McBride visited Goodstart Early Learning at Woongarrah to speak with educators about what this will mean for them.

McBride visited children moving to primary school next year, where they performed their graduation song I’m On My Way.

“Early educators do so much to support children in their formative years, educating and nurturing them,” she said.

“Labor delivered this pay increase because we value our early educators and the important work they do.

“Educators at Goodstart Woongarrah expressed the significant difference this pay increase will make to them and their families.”

Pay rises of 10 per cent above the award rate will start hitting the pay packets of Goodstart workers this week with a further five per cent increase in December 2025.

This means a typical educator who is paid at the award rate will receive a pay rise of at least $103 per week, increasing to at least $155 per week from December 2025.

A typical early childhood teacher will receive an additional $166 a week from December this year, increasing to $249 from December of next year.

Eligibility for the Worker Retention Payment is tied to a requirement for services to limit fee increases, making sure workers are paid fairly without the costs being passed on to families.