Y Queensland warmly welcomes the Australian Government’s recent announcement of a 15% pay increase over two years for Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) employees. The Government has also confirmed the increase will apply to Out of School Hour Care staff. This significant development marks a vital step forward for a workforce that plays a crucial role in shaping the lives of our youngest Australians.

Y Queensland CEO, Damian Foley, expressed strong support for this decision, highlighting the Y’s ongoing advocacy for wage increases within the sector. "Funding for a significant wage increase has been a key priority for Y Australia in our Federal Budget submission and in our submissions to Government Inquiries over the past two years," Damian stated.

Echoing the Prime Minister’s sentiment that “early educators shape lives and change lives,” Damian emphasised the profound impact of ECEC staff on childhood development and women’s participation in the workforce. "The Y Queensland employs around 800 ECEC staff across the state and 4,000 across Australia. We know firsthand the importance of their work to both children and families," he said.

Y Queensland is eager to collaborate with the Government on implementing this pay rise and looks forward to reviewing the details as they become available. This pay increase is not only a win for the workforce but also for the parents who rely on these essential services. The Government has ensured that this increase will not be passed on to families through higher fees, thereby supporting both the retention of current staff and the attraction of new talent to the sector.

For more information on the Government’s announcement, please visit: Pay rise for early educators while keeping fees down for families.