Federal Government Extends 15% Wage Subsidy for Early Childhood Educators

The Federal Government has announced a two-year extension of the 15% wage subsidy for early childhood educators. At Gowrie, we welcome this extension as it provides financial relief and signals that the work educators do every day is valued, visible, and understood as the foundation of high-quality early learning.

This funding provides certainty for services. Services can now plan with greater confidence, retain experienced educators, and maintain the focus on quality practice and outcomes that children deserve.

Recently, Minister Walsh visited our Carlton North service to speak with not-for-profit providers about her vision for a workforce where quality is sustained by retaining the talented people already in it. We are proud to have been part of the sector-wide advocacy effort that contributed to this outcome. Our advocacy has always been grounded in the belief that a strong, capable, and fairly compensated workforce is inseparable from quality early childhood outcomes.

Workforce instability has been one of the most persistent challenges facing ECEC in Australia. When educators leave the profession—often because the work is undervalued—children, families, and services all bear the cost. Two more years of this subsidy gives government time to undertake the service delivery price review and put in place structures that will help us retain a skilled and experience workforce. For too long, early childhood educators have done complex, consequential work without the pay or recognition they deserve. This extension is a meaningful recognition of the profession.

Thank you to all our educators. This recognition reflects the work you show up and do every single day, for children, for families, and for each other. It is well deserved.