INDI Independent federal MP Helen Haines is hopeful a 15 per cent pay rise for Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) workers can help attract and keep more workers, while also benefiting parents who rely on the vital services.

The Federal Government last week confirmed the increase will be phased in over two years, and include a 10 per cent increase from December 2024, and a further five per cent increase from December 2025.

The increase is tied to a commitment from child care centres to limit fee increases to under 4.4 per cent over the next 12 months ensure workers can be fairly paid without the costs being passed on to families.

The wage increase also applies to workers in outside school hours care services, creating benefits for the parents of school aged children too.

This means a typical ECEC 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.

Dr Haines said the pay increase is good news for early childhood educators, particularly with cost-of-living having such an impact right now.

“It’s also good news for the families who rely on early childhood education and care, because we know the shortage in staff is a major factor in long wait lists and difficulty in accessing care, particularly in regional and rural areas."

Dr Haines was visiting childcare centres in Indi last week as part of Early Learning Matters Week, and said she saw first-hand the pride and dedication that early childhood educators apply to their work.

“Early childhood educators play a key role in helping children develop important foundational skills that impact their lifetime, and their pay should reflect the value of this work," she said.