Amendments also enshrine into law the requirement for early learning services to meet national safety standards
The 15% pay rise for early educators in Australia has been made permanent as Parliament on Tuesday passed an amendment aimed at improving the working conditions of the country's educators.
The passing of the Wage Justice for Early Childhood Education and Care Workers (Special Account) (Extending Support and Strengthening Safety) Bill 2026 locks in a further $3.6 billion to fund the pay rise for early educators.
According to the government, the pay rise adds $255 more per week for full-time educators, while early childhood teachers earn $410 more per week.
"Our Government's historic support for early educator wage rises has made a tangible difference," said Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Amanda Rishworth.
Since the pay rise was announced, there have been 20,000 more early educators, while job vacancies have decreased by over 31%.
"I hear about the difference this pay rise is making every week when I meet with educators," said Early Childhood Education Minister Jess Walsh. "They tell me it's helping them stay in the jobs they love."
The government started the initiative almost two years ago, and more than 80% of eligible early learning services are now receiving the payment.
Mandating safety standards
Meanwhile, the legislation also enshrines into law the requirement that early learning services must meet the National Quality Standard in order to receive the payment.
Under the law, services that don't meet the mandated safety standards from July 2027 can see their funding cut or suspended.
"This will also mean that by law, if you want the pay rise you need to be meeting national safety standards," Clare said.
Most early learning services (95%) are now meeting the standard, according to the government, which said it aims to increase this further.
The new requirement builds on the government's reforms to strengthen safety in early education and care, such as the introduction of a new national worker register and child safety training.
"Nothing is more important than the safety of our children," Clare said. "This will help to make sure safety and quality in early education is what parents expect and what our children deserve."
