The Albanese Government’s extension of the Worker Retention Payment will protect 60 000 early childhood educators and teachers from pay cuts, deliver higher quality care for children, save families thousands in fee hikes and provide the sector with much needed stability, says early childhood think tank, The Front Project.
Worth $3.6 billion, the extension of the payment to 2028 prioritises wage support for providers meeting the National Quality Standard for the first time.
The Front Project CEO, Dr Caroline Croser-Barlow described the investment as “historic”.
“Connecting wages to quality is a nod towards the kind of connected system we are building, where high-quality is embedded, rather than an add-on. This is system stewardship practice. It is an example of the sensible, whole-of-system decisions an independent commission could support,” said Dr Croser-Barlow.
“When government says: you will be funded to pay your workforce fairly, and in return your service must be safe and excellent – we connect investment with standards and outcomes. That is exactly the type of thinking we need more of as we build towards a universal high-quality early childhood education and care system.”
The Front Project’s Staying Power report analysed the characteristics of early learning centres by quality rating. It found that high turnover - driven in large part by low wages and poor conditions - disrupts the continuity of relationships young children need, creates safety risks, and makes it harder for services to meet and exceed the National Quality Framework. The services delivering high-quality care were also offering attractive pay, supported their staff, and have a focus on relationships.
“The most influential factor in a child’s learning and development in their early years is when they experience warm, reciprocal relationships with the adults around them, at home and in early learning.
“Combined with this month’s minimum wage increase, a typical full-time educator will now receive $255 more per week than when the payment was introduced in December 2024. For early childhood teachers, that figure is $410.6
“Minister Walsh described the need for a strong, stable, passionate workforce - and she is right. Passion has sustained this workforce through decades of undervaluation. Stability requires investment, and we commend the Government for listening to educators and parents and funding this next step.
“The Front Project strongly supports the government’s commitment to work with states and territories to consider a Commission. We urge Education Ministers to progress this at the July meeting with the same ambition demonstrated this week,” said Dr Croser-Barlow.
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Media contact: Maria Kelly |