New laws to give childcare educators a pay rise to be introduced this week

New laws to increase the salary of early childhood educators will be introduced to parliament this week with the aim of boosting pay by 10 per cent by Christmas, with another 5 per cent next year.

New laws to increase the salary of early childhood educators will be introduced to parliament this week with the aim of boosting pay by 10 per cent by Christmas, with another 5 per cent next year.

If the bill passes parliament, as many as 200,000 early childhood teachers will get an extra $103 per week, jumping to another $155 per week in December 2025.

The Coalition has not yet revealed whether it will be supporting the legislation. Education Minister Jason Clare called on Opposition leader Peter Dutton to back it.

“There aren’t many jobs more important than what our early educators do. They deserve a decent pay rise and that’s what we’re delivering,“ he said.

“If he supports our early educators and keeping prices down for families, he will back this legislation in the parliament.”

Childcare worker Taj Al-Thifairy. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Taj Al-Thifairy is an educator at the Goodstart early learning centre in Toongabbie and is hopeful the legislation will pass.

The 22-year-old has been forced to move back home with her parents because she could not afford her Newtown apartment.

“It’s been really hard. I love what I do and it’s why I continue to do it, but as the cost of living has become unbearable, myself and other educators question if they want to stay in this industry,” she said.

Ms Al-Thifairy said the pay rise was much needed recognition for the industry that is “holding society together”.

“We are providing quality education and care for children, we aren’t just childminders or babysitters,” she said.

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