Childcare Workers to Receive $3.6 Billion Pay Raise

The government has announced a $3.6 billion (US$2.36 billion) pay boost for early childcare workers, set to be distributed over two years from funds set aside in the budget in the May budget. It represents an increase of 15 percent, but is still significantly less than the 25 percent that was sought. The first 10 percent will be added to pay packets in December, followed by a further five percent increase a year later. This means early childhood workers on the average wage will receive a pay rise of $103 a week this year, rising to $155 more a week after the December 2025 increase. To qualify for the additional pay, centres will be barred from increasing fees paid by parents by more than 4.4 percent over the next year....